Pharmacy

Oncology pathways can lead to quality programs and more cost-effective care for cancer patients.

Are drug-price guarantees here to stay?

The face of pharmacy benefit management continues to change in the wake of the $29.1 billion merger.

In spite of a drug pipeline that produced 34 new drugs moving to the market, U.S. spending on prescription drugs rose a negligible amount in 2011, according to a report from IMS Institute.

Prior authorization doesn't have to rely on paper forms and telephone requests.

Prescription coverage is one of the 10 must-have categories, but the details can vary widely among benchmark plans.

This year might be remembered for its generic pipeline, with as many as 37 drugs coming off patent.

FDA-approved orphan drugs prompt plans to identify members.

Introducing a specialty drug tier to the formulary raises a red flag on access issues.

Blue Shield California will no longer pay for the use of Avastin to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Four-tier formularies have emerged as one method to control the rising costs associated with specialty pharmaceuticals.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has developed a platform for sharing prescription monitoring programs

Drug discount programs for consumers can drive high costs.

Although Judy Cahill will end her term as CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy next year, there's plenty to keep her busy between now and then.

The Hitech Act of 2009 provides the requirements for meaningful use of an electronic health record, including transmitting 40% of prescriptions electronically.

Managed care organizations are developing programs to reduce a small niche of waste associated with early discontinuation of medication therapy.

By 2014, specialty pharmaceuticals will account for the majority of total drug spend, according to industry experts.

By 2012, 11 of the top 16 drugs in the United States will be injectable or infusible, and by 2014, specialty pharmaceuticals will comprise the bulk of drug spending in the United States.

Pain medications for chronic conditions are making it on the list of the most frequently used drugs for some health plans.

Technology is helping insurers manage prior authorization requests.

Quarterly formulary reviews are the most common but not the only choice among sponsors

Studying drugs in younger populations is challenging, and the scarcity of pediatric studies limits the ability of doctors and scientists to accurately predict drug dosing, safety and efficacy in children.

The impact and magnitude of expenditures should have made Part D an immediate enforcement priority for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Drug abandonment can be attributed to a number of factors

OTC drugs now require a prescription for account withdrawls