News

There is little room in state budgets to absorb the inevitable growth in Medicaid costs.

Obama talks healthcare reform in Ohio and Virginia post debate. More clarity received on Romney's plan.

Families USA compared Obama and Romney approach to healthcare.

With medication misuse resulting in more than 1 million adverse drug events per year in the United States, new standards released today by the U.S. Pharmacopeia Convention (USP) for the first time, provide a universal approach to the format, appearance, content, and language of instructions for medicines in containers dispensed by pharmacists.

After reviewing new data, FDA has concluded that Budeprion XL 300 mg (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets), manufactured by Impax Laboratories, Inc., and marketed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., is not therapeutically equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline’s Wellbutrin XL 300 mg.

George Halvorson led the decision to implement HealthConnect, an enterprise-wide EHR system.

FDA has granted delafloxacin (Rib-X) as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the indications of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).

Apixaban (Eliquis), an investigational anticoagulant developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, has lower rates of stroke, systemic embolism, and bleeding than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation, regardless of level of risk for these events, according a recent online analysis published October 2 in The Lancet.

Paliperidone palmitate (Invega Sustenna), a monthly extended-release injectable suspension atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia, has a new updated product label that describes greater flexibility and dosing options for healthcare providers as well as additional warnings and precautions, according to its manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

A recent study indicates that hospitals can reduce readmission rates if they work on medication reconciliation.

In the quest to adopt personalized medicine approaches, optimizing antiplatelet therapy based on platelet function testing is controversial.

Tofacitinib is a novel JAK inhibitor, selective for JAK 1 and JAK 3.

Recent FDA action (through September 2012) related to, Lymphoseek, technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept, Tobramycin inhalation powder, Lixivaptan, CRTX 080, ALV003, AB103, Atox Bio

Recent FDA Approvals (through August 2012) related to (Innocutise, Genzyme, Sanofi, Pfizer, Amgen, Astellas Pharma US, Medivation, Gilead Sciences, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Forest, Reckitt Benckiser, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Sicor Biotech UAB, Teva Corporation, Novartis)

New molecular entity: FDA approved the combination of sodium picosulfate (a stimulant laxative) and magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid (which form magnesium citrate, an osmotic laxative) (Prepopik, Ferring Pharmaceuticals) for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system targets synovial joints and causes mild-to-severe joint disease with extra-articular manifestations. This review discusses the current standards of care and details the data being collected on new agents.

Incretin-based therapies are now the most promising therapies for type 2 diabetes.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is making it easier for pharmacists and healthcare professionals to look up drug information by launching an online scientific resource tool.

Surveyed readers indicate that Medicare and Medicaid will be 2013's big winners

Standard identifiers might help plans reduce the number of duplicate claims.

A look at the PPACA Medicaid expansion shows how politics are going to shape it.

Plans can help reduce prescription drug abuse by advocating appropriate use.

A look at the highly controversial individual mandate portion of PPACA indicates that many people won't purchase insurance unless the penalty/tax is more expensive.

Clarity is needed from HHS on exchanges and penalties under reform requirements.

Review the five core antitrust principles of health insurance mergers.

A look at the effect that PPACA will have on part-time employees.

As the 2012 President Election nears, the candidates focus on Medicare and PPACA.

Looking at the next several years, administrative services only agreements appear to be the most profitable line of business.

A look at ACOs indicates that success will depend on managing risks and choosing the best possible partners.

Dual eligibles are a key population in healthcare and can be an area of important growth, but success is not guaranteed.