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How physician prescribing is controlled.

The accreditation process influences quality business improvement and has value beyond an organization seal of approval. Experts say the cost of low quality far exceeds the cost of the accreditation process.

Providers may want to be aware of changes published by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that substantially overhaul the appeals process, in part, to reduce the time frames for adjudicating fee-for-service Medicare claims appeals. A process that now exceeds 1,000 days must be reduced to 300 days.

Maybe we're encouraged by recent steps forward to harmonize our disconnected healthcare system (through proposed health information networks, for example) but there is still so much more to do.

The new independent Drug Safety Oversight Board (DSB) within CDER will employ a two-pronged approach to create "a new culture of openness, improved oversight, and enhanced independence," according to FDA officials.

A review of agents in late-stage development for the treatment of hepatitis (May 2005).

New regulations proposed by the California state Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) that are expected to be implemented by the end of this year would require HMOs in California to cover all medically necessary prescription drugs, even if they are excluded from a plan's formulary.

The new independent Drug Safety Oversight Board (DSB) within CDER will employ a two-pronged approach to create "a new culture of openness, improved oversight, and enhanced independence," according to FDA officials.

Analyses of 3 retrospective databases found that warfarin is much less effective at preventing strokes in the real world in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) than it is in clinical trials. The retrospective data were reported at the ASA's International Stroke Conference 2005.

Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine, adsorbed (Tdap) (Boostrix, GlaxoSmithKline) for vaccination against tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis

Clopidogrel reduces 28-day mortality in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) when given on top of standard therapies, but metoprolol has no effect on in-hospital mortality when given during the acute phase of MI.

In-lesion restenosis is similar between the sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher) and the paclitaxel-eluting stent (Taxus) when used for the treatment of routine coronary artery stenoses, but the sirolimus-eluting stent may offer an advantage in patients with diabetes, according to a study reported at the ACC Annual Scientific Session 2005.

An antihypertensive therapeutic strategy that starts with the calcium antagonist amlodipine is superior to one starting with the beta-blocker atenolol in preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) events, Peter S. Sever, MD, reported at the ACC Annual Scientific Session 2005.

Atorvastatin 80 mg/d is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes than atorvastatin 10 mg/d in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD), according to John LaRosa, MD, who presented the results of the Treating to New Targets (TNT) study at the ACC Annual Scientific Session 2005.

The angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) eprosartan is superior to the calcium antagonist nitrendipine in secondary stroke prophylaxis in patients with hypertension, Hans-Christian Diener, MD, reported at the ASA's International Stroke Conference 2005.

Ramelteon (Takeda Pharmaceuticals) is a selective melatonin receptor agonist awaiting FDA approval for the treatment of insomnia. Unlike the currently prescribed hypnotic agents that work by targeting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, ramelteon offers a novel mechanism of action, specifically targeting the MT1 and MT2 receptors in the brain, which are thought to play a role in regulating sedation and circadian rhythms. Ramelteon is characterized by undergoing extensive first-pass metabolism along with having high oral bioavailability. Results of phase 2 clinical trials have demonstrated that ramelteon-treated patients had significantly shorter sleep onset latencies and longer total sleep times than placebo-treated patients. Furthermore, ramelteon therapy did not appear to impair patient cognition, memory recall, levels of alertness, or ability to concentrate. Data from animal studies suggest that ramelteon is not likely to cause abuse or physical dependence. Unlike the current FDA-approved..

First once-monthly therapy approved for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis

Cost management attributes compared

Cost management attributes compared

OTC and generics help the cause

Group purchasing organizations bring efficiencies

Review of the Watson Wyatt survey

Top 25 drug classes included in step therapy

Viral illnesses are notoriously difficult to treat. There are a host of antibiotics to fight bacteria, but until recently, most viruses were treated with over-the-counter analgesics plus supportive measures such as bed rest and fluids.

Healthcare consumers and purchasers finally are getting what they've wanted for years: online information about health plans and hospitals. But is it data they need and can use to make good healthcare decisions? Employers say, "not yet."

Three plan CEOs invest in the health of the Hawaiian community, tailoring their approach to the unique needs of the island's residents. MHE brings them together for snapshot of their plans' challenges.

In the early-to-mid 1990s, employers began choosing HMO products over PPOs and traditional health insurance plans because of cost concerns.

A review of agents in late-stage development for the treatment of HIV/AIDS (April 2005).

A review of agents in late-stage development for the treatment of HIV/AIDS (April 2005).

If approved, tipranavir (Boehringer Ingelheim) will be the ninth protease inhibitor (PI) available and the first nonpeptidic PI available in the United States. Designed by structure-based analysis, tipranavir is more flexible at the binding site, allowing for a potent and durable antiretroviral response. The tipranavir (TPV) and ritonavir (RTV) PI regimen (TPV/r) studied in clinical trials had a moderate pill burden, requiring 4 pills to be taken twice daily (2 RTV 100 mg and 2 TPV 250 mg).