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Atypical antipsychotics are some of the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications in the United States. There is increasing off-label use despite lack of evidence to support its use in some of these medical or psychiatric conditions. One of these growing uses is for the management of primary insomnia. This article discusses the literature on using atypical antipsychotics for managing primary sleep disturbances. Much of the research targeting insomnia is related to using antipsychotics for comorbid psychiatric or medical problems and secondary sleep complaints. For pharmacologic management of primary insomnia in the absence of other psychiatric or neurologic conditions for which atypical agents are helpful, other hypnotic agents should be tried. More research is required before expanding the prescribing of antipsychotics for insomnia.

A new risk measure called a "home score" could potentially prevent 230,000 trips to US doctors' offices every year for suspected strep throat, according to a study online in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, the explosive growth in molecular diagnostics and specialty pharmaceuticals is outpacing the growth seen in any prior era, raising serious concerns about clinical quality and cost. According to an industry survey conducted earlier this year by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), more than 900 medicines and vaccines have been identified in various stages of development. To keep pace, the strategies that were adequate for the “empty pipeline” scenarios of a few years ago-to code each agent, communicate clinical evidence and clinical guideline developments, and update reimbursement methodologies-must now be enhanced.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus presents multiple treatment dilemmas for prescribers and healthcare clinicians. The number of oral agents for treating diabetes has increased over the past decade, and the best treatment regimen for each patient often varies based on comorbid conditions and treatment goals. Hence, understanding the risks and benefits of each agent is vital. While the number of agents for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus continues to increase, prescribers and clinicians may struggle with the need to individualize care as a means to improve treatment outcomes.

New data evaluating the investigational protease inhibitor faldaprevir in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV), studied in genotype 1 (GT1) patients with hepatitis C (HCV), were presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), also known as The Liver Meeting, in Washington, DC.

Any of these six criteria under the health reform law

Advanced analytic solutions are being used to detect improper payments in pharmacy claims.

Once-daily dosing of the investigational drug tiotropium helped to improve lung function over 24 hours in individuals with severe asthma, according to data presented at the 2013 American College of Chest Physicians annual meeting (CHEST 2013) in Chicago.

Patients with prostate cancer who use statins may have a lower risk of death from their disease, according to a study published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Some fixes have been created for insurers selling through healthcare.gov but not many

Cynthia Ambres of KPMG discusses the future of payment reform.

Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion to settle charges it fraudulently promoted drugs and used kickbacks to spur sales, the U.S. Justice Department announced Monday.

FDA has approved a new boxed warning for the anti-seizure drug ezogabine (Potiga) because of the potential risk of vision loss, retinal abnormalities, as well as skin, nail, mucous membrane, and sclera discoloration. The agency recommends that ezogabine use be limited to individuals who have not responded to alternative therapies for seizure control, and when the benefits of treatment are greater than the risks.

Citing the risk of life-threatening blood clots and severe narrowing of blood vessels, FDA has asked Ariad Pharmaceuticals to suspend marketing and sales of ponatinib (Iclusig).

Up-and-coming generation has an “occupy healthcare” attitude and could advocate for Medicare for all by 2020.

Now is the time to dedicate resources in the inpatient and outpatient world to optimize antimicrobial stewardship.

Future upgrades will include cost information, provider directories and tons of scale

Even under innovative payment models, RBRVS is here to stay

Consider shifting to condition episodes and linking member benefits

Managing diabetes and preventing microvascular and macrovascular complications requires a more holistic approach that goes beyond glucose, and includes careful management of other risk factors.

New utilization management opportunities will increasingly include cardiology and diagnosis of sleep disorders.

Redesign your industry interactions

Engage your entire network in quality and cost-containment goals

Test patient response with initial 14 day fill

PBGH program gives employees no-cost joint replacement and free travel to top hospitals