New study compares every state using data like opioid prescriptions and overdose rates to determine where drug problems hit hardest.
With the Trump Administration ramping up efforts to combat the opioid epidemic with a $350 million opioid-addiction research and treatment initiative and a pharma distributor agreeing to pay out millions in the first criminal opioid case, the opioid epidemic continues to cause severe damage to Americans.“Healthcare execs should be concerned with the drug problem the country is facing, as the industry could have a direct and positive influence on rehabilitation. For example, development of pain relievers that are not opioids would address the issue,” says Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst.The personal-finance website WalletHub released a study on the States with the Biggest Drug Problems in 2019 to highlight the areas that stand to be most affected.The study compares 50 states and the District in terms of 22 key metrics, ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws.“Unfortunately, the future does not look very bright, especially considering the high incidence of drug use among teenagers across the country,” Gonzalez says. “However, considering the approach the current administration has to drug use, we can say there is a silver lining. This is because last year Congress passed legislation aimed at providing support for those struggling with addiction.”Here are the top 10 states with the worst drug problems, according to the study:
David Calabrese of OptumRx Talks New Role, Market Insulin Prices and Other Topics 'On His Mind'
April 13th 2023In this month’s episode of the "What's On Your Mind podcast," Peter Wehrwein, managing editor of MHE connects with the now Chief Clinical Officer of OptumRx Integrated Pharmacies, David Calabrese. In this conversation, David touches on his transition in January as OptumRx’s former chief pharmacy officer and market president of health plans and PBMs to his new role as Chief Clinical Officer where he now focuses more on things such as specialty pharmacy to home delivery — with an overall goal of creating whole-patient care. Throughout the conversation, Calabrese also touched on the market’s hot topic of insulin prices and behavioral health services within the OptumRx community, among other topics.
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Upended: Can PBM Transparency Succeed?
March 6th 2024Simmering tensions in the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industry have turned into fault lines. The PBMs challenging the "big three" have formed a trade association. Purchaser coalitions want change. The head of the industry's trade group says inherent marketplace friction has spilled over into political friction.
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Briana Contreras, editor of Managed Healthcare Executive, spoke with Nancy Lurker, CEO and president of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. Nancy shared a bit about EyePoint and how the organization’s innovative therapies are addressing patient needs through eye care, and most importantly, she addressed C-Suite positions like the CEO role. Nancy shared advice for those seeking to reach the CEO level, especially toward women in healthcare and other roles, and what it takes to run a biopharma company.
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The deliberate disconnection of Change Healthcare to ring fence a cyberattack entered its seventh day today. Prescribers are finding ways to get pharmacy claims processed, and UnitedHealth Group says disruption to the dispensing of prescriptions has been minimal. But independent pharmacies want more information and protection from financial consequences from pharmacy benefit managers.
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