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Adverse reactions to antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives and anxiolytics, lithium salts or stimulant drugs are responsible for almost 90,000 emergency department (ED) visits each year by US adults, according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry.

Drug overdose deaths in the United States increased for the 11th consecutive year in 2010, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and. continued to rise in 2011, the most recent year for which data were available.

Individuals with a large waist circumference may face a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published July 7 in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Postoperative antibiotics after cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery) do not reduce the risk of infection, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

One in five elderly patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of leaving, according to government data.

In adult patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy-the current standard of treatment- canagliflozin (Invokana) 100 mg and 300 mg reduced relative risk for myocardial infarction (1.6% and 3.0%) and congestive heart failure (2.7% and 4.0%), as compared to sitagliptin 100 mg, according to findings of the health economic simulation analysis presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.

There are some risks associated with some childhood vaccinations, but overall the evidence shows that vaccines are very safe, according a study published in the July 1 online edition and the August print issue of Pediatrics.

In response to rising compounding drug costs, pharmacy benefit managers, such as Express Scripts, have made moves to restrict their coverage for active ingredients used by compounding pharmacies.

Employees now have the ability to carry over up to $500 in unused funds into the next plan year

Many consumers still do not understand fundamental insurance concepts

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released new technical specifications for the 2015 edition of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS).

The industry has and will continue to evolve

In 2013, the adult obesity rate was 27.1%, up from 5.5% 2008

The cost and time commitment to develop new drugs has increased significantly over the last few decades. A variety of factors come into play, but on average, in terms of total expenditures, it has taken from $3 to $5 billion and up to 15 years to bring a new drug to market. Even after all that time and money, with challenging regulatory requirements and other factors, the odds of a new compound making it from the lab to the pharmacy are miniscule. The chance for a new drug to make it to market is a sobering 1 in 5000.

Patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with aflibercept Injection significantly improved vision and reduced the severity of diabetic retinopathy versus laser photocoagulation, according to data recently presented the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.

The management of bladder cancer represents one of the most costly and underestimated challenges in the oncology spectrum. Despite having the 6th highest incidence of any cancer in the United States, high recurrence rates and the need to constantly monitor patients act as the primary drivers for the high expenditures associated with the disease.

Pressure to intensify with more penalties, rewards

Buy-in at every level is imperative for long-term impact

Follow these suggestions to cut costs while maintaining quality of care.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is among the most feared adverse effects associated with cancer treatment.1 The likelihood of patients experiencing this entity depends on both patient-related and treatment-related factors. Not all chemotherapeutic products induce equivalent amounts of CINV resulting in the formation of groups contingent on the frequency of CINV in patients receiving a product without antiemetic prophylaxis

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that when available, the needle-free, nasal flu vaccine (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV]) should be used for healthy children aged 2 to 8 years, who have no contraindications or precautions.

The driving force behind consumer cost-sharing provisions for specialty medications is the acquisition cost and not clinical value. This appears to be true for almost all public and private health plans, says a new report from researchers at the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID Center) and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).

FDA approved insulin human Inhalation Powder (Afrezza, MannKind), a rapid-acting inhaled insulin to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus.

The justices' 5-4 decision is the first time the high court has ruled in favor of for-profit businesses holding religious views under federal law

By 2018, specialty drug expenses will comprise 60% of all drug spend, 3 times more than 2014, according to Prime Therapeutics 2014 Report on prescription drug cost analysis.

Utilize pharmacy benefit tools and member engagement strategies

As more people enroll in the exchanges, a more portable and innovative workforce will take shape

ACA’s emphasis on accountable care organizations, patient-centered medical homes, readmission penalties and pricing pressures on hospitals makes it attractive for hospitals to work together to share services and increase the efficiencies

Lifestyle factors may help predict whether people will adhere to statin therapy for high cholesterol, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).