News

It is possible to get treatments to stroke patients even before they arrive at a hospital, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Managed care and hospital decision-makers are in a key position to “move the needle” at the system level on improving adult immunization coverage rates in the United States.

After six years on the job, FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, is resigning from her position. Her tenure has ushered in personalized medicine and faster approval of several drug classes.

Non-medication strategies were effective in hospital patients with delirium, according a new study published in the February 2 edition of the JAMA Internal Medicine.

A reprieve has been granted for Medicare beneficiaries who may have been confused or misinformed about the pharmacy details of their 2015 Aetna prescription drug plans.

In what may be the biggest breach in healthcare, as many as 80 million records of current and former Anthem customers have been hacked, The New York Times reported.

FDA has approved olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (Pazeo, Alcon, a division of Novartis) 0.7% for the treatment of ocular itch relief related to eye allergies.

Ibrance is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6, which complex with a regulatory protein, called cyclin, to control cancer cell cycling. The FDA has approved it for use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

FDA approved TissuGlu (Cohera Medical Inc.), the first tissue adhesive approved for internal use.

Given the spending growth projections for biologics, successful managed care organizations must find a way to ensure appropriate adoption of biosimilars, according to a study published in Health Affairs’ February issue.

Many patients hospitalized with severe heart failure are receiving potentially harmful treatment with intravenous fluids, according to a Yale-led study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Heart Failure

A group of the top U.S. health systems, payers and stakeholders has formed the Health Care Transformation Task Force, a private-sector alliance aimed at accelerating the healthcare industry's transformation to value-based care

Recognizing the potential impact of customer loyalty programs on local economies, Medical Mutual of Ohio has rolled out a program that rewards employees for 'buying local.'

FDA has approved a new formulation of Zohydro ER (Zogenix) with BeadTek.

The first-in-class combined medication for improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes has been approved by FDA.

FDA actions in brief, priority review, breakthrough designations, orphan drug designations

More than one-third of reproductive-aged women enrolled in Medicaid, and more than a quarter of those with private insurance, filled a prescription for an opioid pain medication each year during 2008 to 2012, according to a recent report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

FDA approved lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse, Shire) Capsules (CII), the first and only medication for the treatment of moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults, shown to significantly reduce the mean number of binge days per week.

Statin treatment reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, according to a large international study, published in The Lancet.

Hydrocodone bitartrate (Hysingla ER, Purdue Pharma) extended-release tablets CII is now commercially available.

FDA has approved the antiretroviral Prezcobix (darunavir 800 mg/cobicistat 150 mg, Janssen Therapeutics) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1).

FDA has approved expanded use of ibrutinib for the treatment of Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia.

To save money, almost 8% of U.S. adults did not take their medication as prescribed, according to National Center for Health Statistics report.

FDA's process for approving drugs and devices is speeding up, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Health Research Institute report.

Patients perceptions of drug cost may affect how they benefit from the drug, even when receiving a placebo.

Indiana will become the 28th state, plus the District of Columbia, to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

A large study links a significantly increased risk for developing dementia, including Alzheimers disease, to taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects at higher doses or for a longer time, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Many older people take these medications, which include nonprescription diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Measurable goals and a timeline to move the Medicare program towards a value versus volume reimbursement model is being called a "transformative shift" that could redefine how care should be provided, measured and rewarded.