News

FDA has granted priority review to oncology compound radium-223 dichloride (radium-223, Bayer HealthCare) for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with bone metastases.

Vitamin D supplementation does not slow progression of knee osteoarthritis or reduce pain associated with the condition, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Shared decision-making with patient and health-coach involvement saves on overall costs of care. Specifically, the technique reduces hospitalizations and surgeries, according to a study published in Health Affairs (February 2013).

A leading epidemiologist recently suggested alternative treatments for the fungal meningitis outbreak late last year. To date, 46 deaths have been linked to contaminated steroids from compounding pharmacies.

The federal government and states will face a number of challenges upon establishing and operating federally facilitated health insurance exchanges.

Utah governor hopes to gain federal certification for the state's insurance exchange, which would ideally use a hybrid exchange model.

Republican governors from Ohio and Michigan have committed to expanding Medicaid in their states.

Although generally satisfied with global cancer research progress, the public believes it takes too long for new cancer drugs to reach patients.

FDA approved 39 innovative drug therapies in 2012, the most new drug approvals in the U.S. since 1996.

An FDA advisory committee voted in favor of moving hydrocodone combination drugs into the restrictive “Schedule II” category of controlled substances.

FDA has approved pomalidomide (Pomalyst, Celgene) to treat patients who have received at least 2 prior therapies including lenalidomide and bortezomib and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy.

Physicians who attended a medical school with an active gift restriction policy were subsequently less like to prescribe newly marketed psychotropic medications over older, cheaper alternatives, according to a study published in the January 2013 issue of BMJ.

Calcium from diet sources was not related to death from cardiovascular disease in women, but may increase the risk in men, according to a study published recently in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Despite availability of many therapies indicated for bowel disorders, there is still an unmet need and heterogeneity among these patients, necessitating availability of a wide variety of therapeutics. Awareness of potential new products, their key benefits, and where they may fit into the treatment paradigm will be important when making decisions impacting patients and physicians, according to new analysis.

FDA issued a proposal designed to assist companies developing new treatments for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, before the onset of overt dementia.

FDA has alerted healthcare professionals that a counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin was distributed in the United States.

Because Tamiflu has been in short supply recently, pharmacists and other healthcare providers are being warned about confusion over emergency compounding of the drug.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a policy statement to provide pediatricians with recommendations for assessing and treating Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in children.

FDA’s approval of the first generic version of the cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection) could help alleviate shortages.

A majority of pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners believe that pharmacists need to disclose the source of high-risk compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) to prescribers, according to a recent survey.

The development and implementation of evidence-based appropriateness criteria may help reduce costs associated with an increase in elective procedures.

A think-tank report calls for national agenda to hold spending down to the growth in GDP per capita

ARBs and ACE inhibitors prolong life and help patients maintain daily living activities.

The new middle class represents an opportunity to sell health insurance products outside the United States

Hospitals have not gotten a break in the budget battles but few are changing their financial strategy

Among the list of changes that consumers simply are not ready to face is value-based purchasing and reduced care based on evidence

Quality rating processes will begin in 2016 for insurance exchanges, and iindustry groups recommend using current measures

In partnership with the Mayo Clinic, a UnitedHealthcare unit is putting data to work in a new facility to drive improved outcomes

Five key functions must be included in your provider-facing portal

Insurers see higher unit costs and increased utilization while HHS examines premium hikes