Cheaper hep C drug enters competitive market
June 30th 2016A new drug approved by FDA to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection this week enters a competitive, lucrative market headed up by Gilead Science’s Sovaldi and Harvoni, as well as AbbVie’s Viekira Pak. FDA granted priority review and breakthrough therapy designation to Gilead’s combination product, Epclusa (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg).
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Empowered patients more likely to stick to diabetes treatments
June 29th 2016Empowerment is an important factor to address everyday aspects of dealing with a chronic disease, including diabetes, according to a study that evaluated the effect of diabetes empowerment on medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes.
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Launching a provider-sponsored health plan: 5 things to know
June 28th 2016As health systems and physician groups marshal resources to launch their own plans, they must consider whether they have the necessary building blocks to successfully make the leap, how integrated a model they will pursue and whether they will build, buy or partner strategy.
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FDA approves novel kidney disease drug
June 22nd 2016After initially rejecting calcifediol (Rayaldee, Opko Health) for chronic kidney disease earlier this year because of manufacturing concerns, FDA approved the drug four months ahead of its new timeline.Rayaldee extended release capsules is the first drug to receive FDA approval for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in adults with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL.
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Who should own healthcare apps?
June 20th 2016There are more than 165,000 health- and wellness-related apps for iOS, but overall engagement remains low outside the top 10. To best benefit users, who should be responsible for health and wellness apps-employers, healthcare insurers or individual consumers? It depends.
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New kidney warning on popular diabetes drugs
June 17th 2016Soon after FDA warned about a potential increased risk of foot and leg amputations with the use of the type 2 diabetes medication canagliflozin (Invokana and Invokamet, Janssen Biotech), the agency strengthened the existing warning about the risk of acute kidney injury with Invokana and Invokamet, as well as dapagliflozin (Farxiga and Xigduo XR, AstraZeneca).
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