News

Hardship exemptions aren't clear enough for consumers to take a chance on special enrollment period

Connecticut and Washington will not offer extensions

Over-the-counter (OTC) sinus and pain drugs combining phenylephrine and acetaminophen-including Tylenol Sinus, Sudafed PE Sinus, Benadryl Allergy Plus Sinus, and Excedrin Sinus Headache-might cause serious side effects such as high blood pressure, dizziness, and tremors, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Chronically ill adults don’t have consistent access to food due to lack of financial stability were significantly more likely to report cost-related medication underuse, according to a new study published in The American Journal of Medicine. Cost-related medication underuse refers to taking less medication than prescribed, or not taking it at all because of financial concerns.

Specialty drug pricing and generic drug pricing, especially around single-source generics during their exclusivity period, should be on the radar screens of hospital and managed care decision-makers, according to Catamaran’s 2013 Drug Trend data, which represents 25 million consumers.

It has been more than a decade since the clinical battle began with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and physicians are still trying to figure out how to diagnose, treat, and prevent this virulent form of staph infection, which is immune to many antibiotics.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting public comments until April 3 on its new hepatitis C screening guidelines.

HHS prepares for an enrollment surge on March 31

The case will be decided on the burden the ACA contraceptive mandate has on private employer Hobby Lobby

Infections caused by a specific type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in US children, according to study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. While still rare, the bacteria are increasingly found in children of all ages, especially those aged 1 to 5 years old, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options.

Local infiltration with long-acting liposome bupivacaine (Exparel) as part of a non-narcotic multimodal pain management regimen for joint replacement surgeries, meaningfully improves patient and hospital economic outcomes, according to new data presented at the 81st annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Influenza, zoster, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed (DTaP) are among the most common vaccines involved in medication errors in the United States, according to a new report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The other most common problematic vaccines include Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate, Tdap, DTaP-IPV, human papillomavirus (HPV4), and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV).

AHIP's Karen Ignagni wants to see a new tier in the exchanges to drive consumers into the risk pool

FDA has approved apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer) for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip- or knee-replacement surgery.

The majority of all pediatric Clostridium difficile infections are the result of a recent course of antibiotics prescribed by a physician for some other condition, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

19 out of 20 patients who think they are allergic to penicillin are wrong and are costing 63% more

Their care experience isn’t at the level it should be

Add it up: 3 reasons for the delay; 6 assets affected; 6 reasons for the price tag; and one future mind-boggler

FDA approved once-daily topiramate (Qudexy XR, Upsher-Smith Laboratories) extended-release capsules for initial monotherapy in patients aged 10 years and older with partial-onset seizures (POS) or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

When used in conjunction with conventional blood clot prevention therapies, statins significantly reduced the risk for venous thromboembolic (VTE) events following total joint replacement (TJR) surgery, according to research presented recently at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Phase 3 clinical trial data demonstrate tiotropium’s potential benefit as an add-on treatment for asthma patients.

In primary care clinics not only has there been an increase in opioid prescriptions, but there is also a persistent increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions over the last decade, according to new research.

The high risk of bleeding in patients taking the anticoagulant dabigatran (Pradaxa) has been a major problem that the manufacturer and health experts have been trying to find solutions for over the last four years. Sixteen percent of patients experienced a bleed in one year, including 3.3% who had bleeds that required emergency medical treatment, according to one clinical trial.

Sebelius says more Latino outreach is needed, meanwhile commercial enrollees are popping up more often

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prescriptions for US. adults have more than doubled from 2008 to 2012, according to a report by Express Scripts.

A penicillin "allergy" label adversely affects the quantity and quality of healthcare in hospitalized patients, according to a study in the March issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The penicillin allergy label is the most common drug "allergy" listed in medical records during hospital admissions.

Why would HHS disrupt Part D when it's been a success for plans and for seniors?

E-cigarette use is associated with cigarette smoking among teens, according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics.

Bringing a new tool to the arsenal of medications to treat type 2 diabetes, FDA recently approved the only once-weekly injectable pen for adults with type 2 diabetes.