For 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.
Abciximab reduces nonfatal outcomes as part of a new reperfusion regimen for acute myocardial infarction (MI) but appears not to benefit patients with acute coronary syndromes who don't undergo early revascularization.
The 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.
A 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.
Flush 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.
