News

Making sure its members get the right care at the right place and at the right time drove Independence Blue Cross to launch a two-year pilot program last fall with consumer engagement firm Accolade.

FDA has approved rufinamide (Banzel, Eisai) for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in pediatric patients.

New study findings suggest that an epigenetic test could be created to identify those individuals early in the process of developing diabetes mellitus, providing hope for preventing the disease.

Spurred on by the Affordable Care Act, retailers, health plans and providers are staking strong retail positions that are increasing coverage opportunities and access to care.

FDA has approved lenvatinib (Lenvima, Eisai) for the treatment of progressive, differentiated thyroid cancer.

FDA has granted priority review for LCZ696 (Novartis), an investigational drug for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

A low-fat plant-based vegan diet may help obese children lower their risk of heart disease, finds a new study from Cleveland Clinic.

Currently, the IBS treatment market is naïve and underpenetrated, with only 4 products indicated for IBS in the 7MM.

In a move widely seen as a way to better compete with the other major chain drugstores, Rite Aid Corp. has announced an agreement on Feb. 11 to buy the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) EnvisionRx for about $2 billion.

Two-thirds of organizations will increase spending on analytics in 2015, according to a new survey by CDW Healthcare.

A pivotal phase 3 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational ixazomib (Takeda), the first oral proteasome inhibitor (PI), conducted in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma achieved its primary end point of improving progression-free survival (PFS) at the first pre-specified interim analysis.

Imprivata Confirm ID is the first comprehensive product that simplifies the adoption of DEA requirements for the electronic prescribing of controlled substances.

The confluence of two factors is making it increasingly seductive for stakeholders to consider entering the MA market, but all is not idyllic.

Nearly four in 10 organizations that offer health insurance through state exchanges also operate a Medicaid managed care plan in the same state, offering an opportunity for continuous coverage for low-income consumers.

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Trade Press Scientists are working to develop breakthrough therapies for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers affecting men and women.

Amgen has announced positive results from a clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of biosimilar candidate, ABP 501, compared with Humira (adalimumab) in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

The American Lung Association has called for a halt to the sale of all tobacco products at all retailers with pharmacies.

Because there was no approved medication treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) until mid-October, 2014, physicians primarily focused on non-pharmacological treatments to help patients improve. Even with FDA’s approval of nintedanib (Ofev) and pirfenidone (Esbriet), physicians will continue to recommend certain therapies that generally ease symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.

While physicians laud FDA’s approval of nintedanib (Ofev) and pirfenidone (Esbriet) for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-the first approved medications to treat the disease in the United Sates-they don’t know how to use them.

New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) will take steps to help strengthen cyber hacking defenses for insurers.

Antiviral drug oseltamavir (Tamiflu, Roche) shortens the length of flu symptoms by about 1 day, and reduces respiratory infections that sometimes develop by 44%, according to a study published in The Lancet.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has issued 6 new funding announcements offering up to $138 million in support for studies comparing how well different approaches to care work for patients given their particular circumstances and concerns.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently issued a final rule that updates requirements and strengthens program integrity efforts.

Public and private insurers are seizing the opportunity to devise programs that promote preventive care and positive behaviors.

The demand for price transparency in healthcare continues to grow, spurred in part by the increase of high-deductible healthcare plans.

The percentage of employers and plans offering wellness incentives is steadily rising, and program designs are becoming more diverse.

Payers recognize a growing need for more comprehensive payment methodologies that adequately represent the true market cost of health services today.

Two recent studies show that members who obtain health insurance through state or federal insurance exchanges use more specialty and generic drugs than their counterparts in commercial plans.