News

Massachusetts adds cost containment goals, something PPACA lacks

Plan's data show 1.2% of screenings resulted in cancer diagnosis

Payer and provider affiliation deals vary and bring up new questions

Transparency still has a long way to go

Employers look for loopholes but most will keep coverage plans in tact

Eventually, states could expand their roles in the exchange operations

Decolonization of all intensive care unit (ICU) patients with antimicrobial soap and ointment significantly reduces all bloodstream infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Testing patients with just 3 risk factors upon hospital admission has potential to identify nearly 3 out of 4 asymptomatic carriers of C difficile, according to a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

Men using long-term, high dose prescription opioids for back pain were about 50% more likely to be using medications for erectile dysfunction than men with back pain who were not using opioids, according to a study published in a recent issue of Spine.

After its recent review, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) could not recommend supplementation with vitamin D and calcium for the primary prevention of fractures in healthy adults.

Outpatient hemodialysis facilities realized a 32% decrease in overall bloodstream infections and a 54% decrease in vascular access-related bloodstream infections after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines were used, according to a new study.

Four ways to deliver a value case that resonates with stakeholders.

Soon after FDA expressed concerns over the higher dosages and safety profile, including daytime drowsiness, of the proposed sleep agent known as suvorexant (Merck), the Agency’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee voted 13-3, with 1 abstention, in favor of the safety of 2 proposed starting doses of suvorexant - 15 mg in patients over the age of 65 and 20 mg in patients under the age of 65.

Sandoz is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall at the U.S. hospital/user level of 2 lots of its injectable methotrexate sodium, USP, 25 mg/mL, 40 mL vials, as a result of the discovery of particulate matter during routine quality examination of vials included among the manufacturer’s retention samples.

Due to a recurring error that sometimes prompts FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Meters to display false test readings, Abbott Diabetes Care has voluntarily recalled the product.

An examination of people’s behaviors as they relate to drug use in the 20th century has shown that people will expend a large amount of energy to acquire any agent that has the ability to alter their minds, bodies, or behaviors in order to achieve a euphoric effect.

The proposal of the investigational sleep agent called suvorexant (Merck), is believed to target sleep disturbances and insomnia through a different mechanism compared to the agents that are currently on the market, but FDA has concerns over the higher dosages of the drug and its safety profile.

Actavis Inc. announced May 20 its plans to acquire Warner Chilcott in a stock transaction deal, which is worth approximately $8.5 billion. The merger is expected to create a global specialty pharmaceutical company serving the women’s health, gastroenterology, urology, and dermatology therapeutic sectors, according to a joint company release.

Senators from the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee have introduced a revised version of its draft compounding bill to help improve the safety of compounded human and animal drugs, following feedback earlier this month from stakeholders, including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Pharmacists working in a collaborative relationship with physicians in different practice settings were able to help more patients with type 2 diabetes achieve glycemic control without adding to the medication burden, according to a report published May 8 in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Hepatitis C testing and reporting must be improved as the mortality rate of HCV is high among those who are relatively young, according to a new study published in the May 7, 2013, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Early Release on its website.

Patients with multiple cardiovascular (CV) risk factors are not able to reduce their mortality risk from CV causes with daily n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake, according to a long-term Italian study published May 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Because of the need for early detection, improved antiviral agents, and changes in the availability of commercial Hepatitis C virus (HCV) tests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new guidance for clinicians and laboratorians.

PPACA will address many of the out-of-pocket costs for various age groups.

Plans must expand their distribution channels and engage new customers

FDA has denied Endo Health Solutions' petition to block generic forms of its opioid agonist Opana ER, which contains oxymorphone. FDA’s decision comes just weeks after it nixed generic OxyContin and approved abuse-deterrent labeling for reformulated OxyContin (Purdue Pharma).

Individuals who regularly take statins to reduce high cholesterol will see lower hospitalization rates according to a study presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s 25th Annual Meeting & Expo in San Diego, in April.

Plans should consider adapting similar strategies from online product exchanges to prepare for 2014.

Migraine prevention drugs used during pregnancy can cause decreased IQ scores in children born to mothers who take these medications, according to an FDA alert.