News

Health reform provisions must be deemed lawful by the Administrative Procedure Act.

A white paper from Thomson Reuters indicates that organized crime is entering the healthcare fraud market.

Much to the delight of providers, insurers have reduced claims-processing errors by a substantial amount thanks to streamlined adjudication.

Slow-release depot antipsychotics help manage schizophrenia.

FDA has approved carfilzomib (Kyprolis, Onyx Pharmaceuticals) to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior therapies, including treatment with bortezomib (Velcade, Takeda) and an immunomodulatory therapy.

The results of a recent literature review suggest that only a high intake of vitamin D leads to a significant reduction in the risk of fracture.

FDA has approved once-daily phentermine and topiramate extended-release (Qsymia, Vivus) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater in the presence of at least 1 weight-related comorbidity.

FDA recently approved the first over-the-counter test for HIV, providing a confidential in-home testing option for the virus that causes AIDS, with results in as little as 20 minutes.

FDA is alerting healthcare professionals to the possibility that a 32-mg single intravenous dose of ondansetron (Zofran, ondansetron hydrochloride, and generics) could lead to QT interval prolongation, putting patients at risk for a potentially fatal heart rhythm known as Torsades de Pointes.

FDA has approved Watson's generic diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets (Arthrotec, G.D. Searle, a subsidiary of Pfizer), indicated for treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients at high risk of developing NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers and their complications.

Innovation Health Plans, which will serve northern Virginia, will be jointly owned by the insurer and the health system.

Sale of plans in three Texas and Arkansas markets will help Humana satisfy its government-stipulated divestiture so that it can complete its acquisition of Arcadian Health.

If you move from three stars to four, you might be able to earn another $50 per member per month.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s provisions for states to implement health insurance exchanges, combined with employers shifting more responsibility for healthcare costs to employees, is expected to create a greater demand for healthcare cost transparency.

FDA issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.

A fixed-dose combination of azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone 40/25 mg (Edarbyclor, Takeda Pharmaceuticals) was statistically superior to a fixed-dose combination of olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide 40/25 mg for the treatment of stage 2 systolic hypertension, according to a study published online in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.

Comorbidity from chronic diseases and severity of illness increased the likelihood of adverse drug reactions in senior patients, according to a new study published online June 26 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Annual global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.2 trillion by 2016, while U.S. spending growth is projected to soar to between $350 and $380 billion by 2016, according to a report issued recently by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Atheer Kaddis, PharmD, to senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Clearly this is WellPoint's vote of confidence in the future Medicaid market

Brightly colored prescription warning labels applied by pharmacies fail to adequately capture the attention of older patients, suggesting that current labeling standards should be reconsidered to make them more effective, according to a study published online June 14 in PLoS ONE.

Drug Watch: Lymphomas

A panel at AMCP's annual meeting discussed the need to improve MS medication adherence.

Recent FDA Approvals (through June 2012) related to (GlaxoSmithKline, XenoPort, Roche)

New molecular entity: FDA approved the soral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, avanafil (Stendra, Vivus) for the treatment of ED.

Forecasts from AMCP's annual meeting indicate a full pipeline for specialty medications.

Recent FDA action (through June 2012) related to, Darunavir, Prezista, Janssen Therapeutics, Ridaforolimus, Merck, Tafamidis meglumine, Pfizer, mechlorethamine, Ceptaris Therapeutics, AVP-923, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, NKTR-181, Nektar Therapeutics, EDI200, Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Galeterone, TOK-001, Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Butoconazole nitrate 2% vaginal cream, Gynazole-1, Perrigo

New molecular entity: FDA approved tafluprost 0.0015% (Zioptan, Merck) ophthalmic solution to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.