News

FDA approved (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept (Lymphoseek, Navidea Biopharmaceuticals) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing surgery to remove tumor-draining lymph nodes.

The use of extended-release niacin as an adjunct to statins does not reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, according to researchers who led the HPS2-THRIVE study. The results of the study were reported at the American College of Cardiology conference in San Francisco on March 9.

After receiving input from more than 80 institutions across the United States, the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) developed a new medication management care transition guide.

FDA is warning the public that azithromycin (Zithromax or Zmax; Pfizer) can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart that may lead to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Several Republican governors are going to expand Medicaid eligibility under PPACA

Medicaid expansion is driving a wedge between legislatures and governors, and increasingly between states and their citizens.

Some repeat imaging might occur within the parameters of acceptable practices and medical necessity and shouldn’t be identified as waste

Regulatory scrutiny will prevent drug plans managers from holding down costs for consumers

The new product was prompted by a recognition of the need for additional treatment options in the treatment of schizophrenia

Almost 98% of primary care physicians (PCPs), nurse practitioners, and pharmacists trust and recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to their patients, according to a new survey released by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA).

FDA has approved aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena, Otsuka and Lundbeck) for extended-release injectable suspension for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The first interim results in HCV/HIV co-infected patients from Boehringer Ingelheim’s ongoing hepatitis C (HCV) clinical trial program, HCVerso, have become available. These results, from the phase 3 trial STARTVerso 4, were presented recently at the 20th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Atlanta.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has increased over the last decade and most cases of resistance are associated with healthcare exposures. To slow the dissemination of CRE infections, local and state health departments need to take the lead in prevention efforts, according to CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released on March 5.

Payers struggle against market headwinds

Stakeholders must influence individuals to become more responsible for their choices.

Benefits of ICD-10 migrations can be significant for payers.

Physicians and local communities assist in obesity prevention.

Integrating and leveraging data will improve quality of care and decrease costs.

A tobacco cessation benefit can reduce future medical costs.

Centralized systems are likely to be the most efficient way to increase colorectal cancer screening, according to a trial published in the March 5 Annals of Internal Medicine.

FDA voted 2-12 against approval for an investigational, oral, twice-daily formulation of gabapentin (Sefelsa, Depomed) to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause.

FDA has issued a second complete response letter regarding a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Janssen) for the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

A new study led by a researcher at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania adds support to current medical recommendations stating that screening colonoscopy substantially reduces an average-risk adult’s likelihood of being diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) in either the right or left side of the colon.

National campaign aims to treat high blood pressure with evidenced-based care.

U.S. Court of Appeals rules off-label promotional speech constitutional.

The 2012/2013 seasonal influenza vaccine is moderately effective at preventing medically attended influenza. However, some vaccinated people may still become infected, so clinicians should use antivirals as recommended by CDC regardless of vaccination status, according to estimates published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), February 22, 2013.

Workers are changing their plans less often because they're offered fewer options from their employers

Inexpensive pill boxes could help at-risk members remain adherent to drug regimens and help WellPoint earn a higher star rating

Chronic care patients need reminder calls to remain adherent to treatment and show up for appointments