News

NME: Aldosterone blocker approved to treat hypertension

A phase III study presented at the 14th annual meeting of the Migraine Trust International Research Symposium (MTIRS) in September in London showed that topiramate (Topamax) significantly reduced migraine frequency at doses as low as 100 mg/d. The onset of efficacy was observed as early as the first month of treatment. Topiramate is already approved in the United States and worldwide as an

Aripiprazole is an investigational atypical antipsychotic that received an approvable status from FDA in September 2002 for the treatment of schizophrenia. The decision on approval could be made as early as the end of this year. Aripiprazole offers a unique mechanism of action as a dopamine system stabilizer. Aripiprazole has been found to be effective in both short-term (4?6 wk) and long-term (26?52 wk) treatment trials. It appears to produce less hyperprolactinemia, weight gain, and extrapyramidal symptoms than other antipsychotics.

Although the commonly used HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are well tolerated and relatively safe, muscle toxicity and rhabdomyolysis can occur with administration and can be severe. This risk is higher with more bioavailable and lipophilic statins. This article summarizes what is known about the etiology of statin-associated muscle toxicity, the risks for each statin, and the current recommendations for monitoring and management.

After months of speculation, in late September the White House finally nominated its lead health policy advisor, Mark B. McClellan, MD, PhD, as the next commissioner of the FDA.

Formulary has identified three organizations that recently begancharging pharmaceutical representatives a fee to meet withphysicians. Two of the organizations-Queen City Physicians and thePolyclinic-are physician group practices based in Cincinnati, OH,and Seattle, WA, respectively.

Health plans that make their products easier for individuals to findwill reap the rewards

Attorney Eric Katz sets his sights on New Jersey health plans

Ranked by total HMO enrollment as of July 1, 2001

By addressing different levels of risk and readiness to change, plans can empower members to take control of diseases

In its most basic form, the Internet is about access. At any time of the day, from anywhere on the planet, people who have a computer and a phone line have a world of information at their fingertips.

Sixteenth century author Thomas Deloney likened lawsuits to "the winter nights: long and wearisome." Wearisome legal battles in healthcare can be exhausted with motions as costs increase proportionately. Ultimately, the chill is felt in the premiums of millions of Americans.

The U.S. health care system is at a crossroads. Purchasers must think what lies around the bend before they abandon proven tactics in a flurry of short-term cost sharing.

Uninformed consumers study from Cigna Healthcare, obesity in America, new JCAHO accreditation plan

Agency plans to consolidate oversight of drugs and biologics and revise program for ensuring high quality pharmaceutical manufacturing

Applied Health Outcomes, Tampa, FL-Fixed-dose combination antihypertensive agents may save money for your institution or plan as well as for your patients.

Orlistat (Xenical) in combination with diet and lifestyle changes significantly prevents obese patients from developing type 2 diabetes, say researchers involved in this 4-year study presented at the 9th International Congress on Obesity, Sao Paulo, Brazil. They add that this is the first time a weight loss drug has been shown to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in an at-risk population.

Innovative People, Organizations, and Ideas an Interview with Vicki Crane, MBA, RPh, and Mark Teresi, MBA, CPA

Eplerenone is a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist under FDA review for treatment of hypertension. With a high trough-to-peak ratio, it is suitable for once-daily dosing. It significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with mild to severe hypertension and can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensives. Although chemically related to spironolactone, eplerenone has a lower binding affinity for androgenic and progestogenic receptors than spironolactone, which may translate into a lower incidence of endocrine-related adverse effects. In addition, eplerenone lowers blood pressure particularly well in patients with low-renin, salt-sensitive hypertension, such as African Americans.

Sometimes regarded with suspicion, evidence-based medicine is not just a ploy to reduce costs. Rather, it is the best approach to decision-making in modern medical practice. This internationally recognized authority on evidence-based medicine explains what it is, how to use it to make the best clinical decisions, and how to implement it in practice. Sometimes regarded with suspicion, evidence-based medicine is not just a ploy to reduce costs. Rather, it is the best approach to decision-making in modern medical practice. This internationally recognized authority on evidence-based medicine explains what it is, how to use it to make the best clinical decisions, and how to implement it in practice.

ranked by staffed beds, 2000

Healthcare is still plagued by its old foes: limited access and minimal proof of quality

One of the biggest uncertainties in today's healthcare market is what managed care's future role will be in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The most recent trend is an exodus from Medicare+Choice due to the federal government's insufficient reimbursement levels.

The problem of having millions of Americans without health care coverage isn't going away, and the business community has a vested interest in solving it.

The buck stops with the individual, and the entire system will be out of whack until Americans learn to eat less, exercise more and stop smoking. That's why there's such strong interest in highly targeted wellness programs.

Although many organizations have implemented well-intentioned medication error reduction strategies, the authors of this article argue that most approaches don?t address the underlying foundation upon which many errors occur. In this article, they present 10 core process improvements?from ?genericizing? all drug names throughout the hospital/health system to purchasing all single-dose packaging?that they believe could have a significant impact on patient safety if implemented.

as reported September 1, 2002

New Indication: Anemia treatment gains postchemotherapy indication

NME:Abused drug approved for cataplexy in tightly controlled program

NME: Chemotherapy agent to be used in combination for recurrent colorectal cancer