Market share shift analysis identifies scenario allowing maximum number of ED patients to be treated
September 1st 2001Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center-Decreasing or eliminating the use of alprostadil-based erectile dysfunction treatments and converting to 100% sildenafil use would save this VA medical center more than $101,000 annually. Furthermore, the projected savings would allow an additional 405 men with erectile dysfunction to be treated for an entire year, say clinicians at this facility.
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Metformin prevents diabetes in high-risk subjects, but effect is trumped by lifestyle changes
September 1st 2001For the first time, a large clinical trial has shown that a medication can help prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals. At the same time, drug therapy emerged as a less effective preventive strategy than fairly modest diet and exercise changes.
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Florida-Pfizer deal charts new territory in overall cost control, but can it work?
September 1st 2001The unprecedented Medicaid disease management deal struck between Florida and Pfizer this summer represents an important "move past unit cost control into total disease control," according to Perry Cohen, PharmD.
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Political climate could shed new light on Medicare pharmacy benefit, related issues
September 1st 2001A few weeks ago, it looked like the national economic slowdown, which was eroding the anticipated federal budget surplus, might put the costly Medicare pharmaceutical benefit on the endangered list. Congress was having trouble agreeing on a coverage plan, and interest groups were squabbling over how to craft a fair and effective pharmacy program for the elderly.
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Fees and formularies move to center of Medicare Rx benefit debate
August 1st 2001Flush from victory in passing patients' rights legislation, Senate Democrats are expected to push for a Medicare prescription drug benefit this fall. The new Senate leadership seems to have found that championing health care is a winning strategy and is eager to build on its success.
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