News

A post-hoc analysis invloving 4 prospective, randomized trials demonstrated that treatment of CAD with statins increases HDL-C, and the increases correlate with a positive impact on disease progression.

A phase 3 study evaluating the use of gabapentin alone and in combination with an antidepressant in women with hot flashes who had an inadequate response with antidepressant monotherapy demonstrated that gabapentin reduced hot flashes by approximately 50%, whereas the combination of an anti-depressant with gabapentin appeared to offer no additional benefit.

Patients who fail to adhere to warfarin therapy as prescribed are more likely to experience problems with anticoagulation control, according to the authors of the International Normalized Ratio Adherence and Genetics (IN-RANGE) study.

Alteplase demonstrated to be safe and effacious for use in treatment of stroke within 3 hours of onset, according to a large multicenter, observational study.

Treament of hypertension with a polypill is more effacious than single-drug treatment, according to a randomized, controlled, open-label trial.

Results of a double-blind, randomized, contolled trial of vildagliptin versus rosiglitazone demonstrate similar efficacy and tolerability in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease state characterized by vascular narrowing and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Physical symptoms, which may include fatigue or weakness, exertional dyspnea, and peripheral edema, are often nonspecific and can mimic more common disorders encountered in clinical practice. Healthcare professionals have been limited in which medications could be used to treat this condition because clinical data have been scarce. Recently, multiple new classes of medications, many of which are very costly, have become available; these agents offer physicians more therapeutic options for the treatment of PAH. Managed-care organizations have been challenged with suggesting the appropriate place in therapy for these new agents, as well as ensuring their safe and cost-effective utilization. This review summarizes the data available for the drugs used to treat PAH, with the goal of helping organizations to make appropriate decisions regarding the proper use of these agents.

Briefs of FDA actions related to medication safety and reliability (ie, boxed warnings, dear healthcare provider letters)

A large retrospective cohort study demonstrated an increased risk of suicide with use of the antidepressant venlafaxine.

First-time generic drug approvals: Nadolol/bendroflumethiazide and ciprofloxacin

The latest FDA action (through May 2007) related to armodafinil (Nuvigil), tacrolimus (Prograf), sipuleucel-T (Provenge), Etoricoxib (Arcoxia), AZD-103/ELND005 (Transition), rNAPc2, Satraplatin, and Ganciclovir

Levetiracetam (Keppra) is now approved by FDA as an antiepileptic agent for adjunctive therapy in treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

HepaGam B, a solution of hepatitis B immune globulin (human), is now approved by FDA for the prevention of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation in HBsAg-positive patients.

The combination of sitagliptin/metformin is now approved by FDA to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

While new breeds of consumer medical devices-as well as healthcare-oriented variations of existing devices, such as cell phones, computers and televisions-might hold enormous promise, stakeholders across the industry agree that formidable technical, regulatory, security and reimbursement obstacles continue to stand in the way. The current healthcare delivery model is under pressure, which has many anticipating an alternative model of care that places greater emphasis on technologically advanced in-home care and monitoring.

LOW-PREVALENCE rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not gained attention equal to that of more common chronic diseases, but it has earned a spot on the list of complex diseases ripe for disease management.

LOW-PREVALENCE rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not gained attention equal to that of more common chronic diseases, but it has earned a spot on the list of complex diseases ripe for disease management.

Providing quality health care while watching the bottom line is the eternal balancing act for managed care organizations. Outpatient rehabilitation - an often-neglected area - stands to significantly impact quality and the bottom line.

Healthcare organizations are intimately familiar with intense prosecutorial scrutiny resulting from the government's battle against fraud and corruption. There are prominent examples of focused federal fraud investigations, resulting in hefty settlements. Congress has now enlisted the healthcare industry in their campaign against fraud.

As more health plans turn to automated, speech-enabled calls to reach out to members with welcome programs, preventive health reminders, or with more sensitive information about a specific condition, they must use an appropriate approach. Done correctly, such phone programs can provide a cost-effective way to speak with members.

THE BEST STEP therapy programs first consider medical evidence regarding patient outcomes when identifying drug classes for inclusion, according to industry experts.

IN THE PAST TWO DECADES, the progress of pharmacy benefit management has brought about sophisticated strategies including formularies, utilization management and generic substitution. David B. Snow Jr., CEO of Medco Health Solutions, is bargaining that the next decade of pharmacy benefit management will bring enhanced patient therapy, personalized medicine and dramatic opportunities in the generic market-points all pharmacy benefit teams will have to ponder.

Today, healthcare payers and providers endlessly wrestle with three alligators-rising costs, inconsistent quality, and the uninsured. These alligators seem to grow larger and stronger with every passing year.

There is growing recognition that teenagers have healthcare needs that are distinct to their own age group-needs that pediatricians and primary care physicians are not always equipped to handle.

ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER of North Americans and Europeans seeking care abroad is relatively small-about 150,000 Americans traveled abroad for care in 2005-it's expected to grow as more patients learn about the option and as overseas hospitals, healthcare travel firms and insurers lay the groundwork to accommodate them.

DOUGLAS E. HENLEY, MD, BELIEVES that the U.S. healthcare system is so fragmented, so disjointed and so disorganized that he finds it hard to even refer to it as a system.

At present, most states have made HMOs subject to their insurance holding company acts. Insurance holding company acts are comprehensive bodies of law that govern the relationships and activities within insurance holding company structures. These laws indirectly regulate the activities of entities that are affiliated with insurance companies and HMOs, which would not otherwise be subject to regulation.

Despite a mounting clamor for reform from many health policy experts, Senate action to reduce payments to Medicare Advantage may be postponed this year. Influential senators oppose an across-the-board cut, which would reduce MA plan activity in rural and low-cost regions.

NATIONAL REPORTS-Corporate wellness programs are top-of-mind for the majority of large, and even many mid-size employers, according to industry experts.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Legislation permitting federal government negotiation of Medicare drug discounts has stalled in the Senate, partly due to disputes over the measure's potential for savings. A coalition led by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) claimed that government negotiation of Medicare drug prices would save patients and taxpayers $30 billion a year. That number assumes such a change would yield 40% drug price reductions to match rates obtained by the Department of Veterans Affairs health program.