News

Consistent with treatment guidelines, more rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are starting glucocorticoids early in their disease course, according to a study published online in Arthritis Care & Research.

Applying a value-based design to high-deductible plans would encourage chronically ill patients not to forgo necessary services

Kids exposed to antibiotics in the first year of life had double the risk of developing early-onset childhood asthma, according to a study published online in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

There has been a recent national backorder of iv Metronidazole (Flagyl) due to manufacturing delays with Hospira. As a result of this delay Hospira has not been able to provide a tentative timeline or estimate date of when IV metronidazole will be available to purchasers/buyers once again. While this situation plays out, there are general management strategies that might be implemented based on the facility.

FDA has required the manufacturer of sleep drug eszopiclone (Lunesta) to lower the starting dose from 2 mg to 1 mg.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new set of comprehensive guidelines that recommends that physicians should consider prescribing antiretroviral medication to individuals who are not infected with HIV but are at high risk of infection.

Several medications can help people with alcohol use disorders to maintain abstinence or to reduce drinking, when added to psychosocial interventions. Two drugs, acamprosate and oral naltrexone, have the best evidence supporting their benefits, according to an analysis of more than 100 studies examining the use of medications to treat these conditions.

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes the inflammation of the liver which can ultimately lead to a diminished liver function or liver failure. The majority of individuals who are infected with HCV do not present with any symptoms of the disease until the appearance of liver damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is estimated that approximately 3.2 million American are infected with hepatitis C and globally about 150 million people have hepatitis C. Up to 85% of those who are initially infected with HCV will not eliminate the virus and become chronically infected.

Eliminating copays for preventive medications prescribed for post-heart attack patients can significantly improve medication adherence for all patients, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

Using dabigatran anticoagulation treatment for pregnant women could potentially affect fetal blood coagulation, according to a study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dabigatran may cross the placenta to the fetus.

A pharmacist who is proficient at monitoring and ensuring appropriate therapy, as well as providing necessary medication counseling, will greatly enhance compliance and reduce potential adverse drug reactions and interactions in HIV-positive hospital patients, according to FormularyWatch advisor James M. Wooten, PharmD, associate professor, department of medicine, section of clinical pharmacology, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Plans testified to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that more than 80% of new customers had paid the monthly premiums.

Patients treated by physicians in designated medical homes reduced overall medical costs by 21% in the first year

Will offer comprehensive information about the price and quality of healthcare services

A new survey has found that pharmaceutical companies and payers are not seeing eye to eye.

FDA has approved a new indication for antihemophilic factor VIII (recombinant),(Kogenate FS, Bayer), for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults with hemophilia A.

There is value in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) early, according to results from a study presented during the 66th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

Long-term use of a combination antimicrobial trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) reduces the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) by up to 80% in children with the urinary condition vesicoureteral reflux compared to placebo, according to a study published online May 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Health plans have been deploying transparency tools, but they are often underutilized, not intuitive or don’t provide the whole picture.

FDA approved vorapaxar (Zontivity, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck) tablets to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, and need for procedures to restore the blood flow to the heart in patients with a previous heart attack or blockages in the arteries to the legs.

FDA approved omega-3-carboxylic acids (Epanova, AstraZeneca) as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride levels greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL).

Two of the largest health systems in Michigan have formed a separate clinical care company to create a network with 27 hospitals, more than 12 physician organizations and 5,000 physicians for joint managed care contracting.

The National Lipid Association just released a report addressing six safety issues related to statin therapy, including the effects of statins on cognition, diabetes risk, liver function, muscle symptoms, interactions with other drugs, and statin intolerance. The report, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, is an update to a consensus report published by the organization in 2006.

Higher dietary fiber intake among myocardial infarction (MI) survivors lowers the risk of subsequent all cause and cardiovascular mortality, according to a prospective study published April 29 in BMJ.

The sale of electronic or e-cigarettes may soon be regulated by FDA. Last week the agency proposed a new rule that would extend its authority to cover additional tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

An FDA advisory panel recommended against Merck’s attempt to sell its prescription drug, montelukast sodium (Singulair), as an over-the-counter product for allergy relief in adults only.

FDA approved ceritinib (Zykadia, Novartis) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

RightCare’s software, based on 10 years of academic and clinical research, has been proven to reduce readmission rates by as much as 35%.

The increase in recent acquisition activity among Big Pharma illustrates different growth strategies, according to industry watchers.

Preventable deaths with in the top 5 causes of death vary across states, and CDC notes an opportunity to improve