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May FDA Pipeline

New medical devices, FDA actions and first-time generics

The growth of healthcare spending slowed in 2003-7.8% compared with 9.3% in 2002-but according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), employers are not impressed.

The most enduring changes are those that come from the inside. Improvements that arise from outside pressure sometimes fade away once that influence is removed, especially when the changes are hard to make.

A recent study separates the ingredients of the double-digit increase in employers' prescription drug costs.

For some, an investigational clinical trial can seem like the opportunity for a miracle; for others, it is an altruistic donation to science that might be used to help others. It also can be a means of receiving treatment for people with chronic conditions who have few resources, or it can be viewed cynically by critics of the pharmaceutical industry.

AuthorsDerek Van Amerongen, MD, MS Chief Medical Officer Humana Health Plan of Ohio Cincinnati, OhioDonnaChiefari, RPH Director, Clinical Services NMHC Rx Latham, NYThe views and opinions expressed in this supplement are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the views of Advanstar Communications, Inc., publishers of Managed Health Care Executive, or Barr LaboratoriesCopyright 2004 Advanstar Communications, Inc., All rights reserved.