News

While 5.6 million to 7 million Americans may qualify for health coverage through a new temporary national high-risk pool program, the $5 billion allocated until 2014 will cover only a fraction of those in need, potentially as few as 200,000 people a year, according to a new policy analysis from the National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR).

Improved treatment of severe epilepsy could reduce the overall cost of the condition, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Research (ISPOR), in Atlanta.

Results of a new study presented at the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) annual meeting, found that the investigational triple combination therapy of olmesartan medoxomil (OM), amlodipine besylate (AML), and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), demonstrated significantly greater mean reductions in blood pressure as compared with corresponding dual combination therapy.

An experimental drug for hepatitis C from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, telaprevir, sharply increased the cure rate in a clinical trial, while reducing the time needed for treatment. Experts said the results could herald a new era in treating the sometimes-fatal disease that is often overlooked, as reported by The New York Times.

Most patients with resistant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to an initial cycle of rituximab (Rituxan) showed clinical improvement following a second treatment cycle, a British study found, as reported by MedPage.

Most patients with resistant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to an initial cycle of rituximab (Rituxan) showed clinical improvement following a second treatment cycle, a British study found, as reported by MedPage.

Researchers will explore whether a new, very low-cost, one-a-day combined ?polypill? could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems across the world, in a major new international trial that has just launched, as reported by ScienceDaily.

In 2009, the drug trend for children, a measure of prescription spending growth, increased 10.8%, driven by a 5% increase in drug utilization and higher medication costs, according to the Medco 2010 Drug Trend Report.

Low-dose hormone therapy significantly reduced ?sleep time? awakenings caused by hot flashes in postmenopausal women, according to the results of a recent multicenter study conducted at 19 US sites.

As early as April 2009, FDA and the American Thyroid Association began recommending that propylthiouracil not be prescribed as first-line therapy in most adults or children based on reports of propylthiouracil-related serious liver injury from both the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System and liver transplantation monitoring programs.

Improved treatment of severe epilepsy could reduce the overall cost of the condition, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Research, in Atlanta.

Many social media sites exist, but healthcare professionals may not know that social media also exists in their realm. It ranges from online medical advice to actual patient-physician appointments.

Overall, 70% of adverse drug events are considered preventable. Since managed care companies are always looking to improve patient care and prevent adverse outcomes, it is no wonder that patient safety is a concern in this healthcare environment.

Costs for specialty pharmaceuticals continue to increase at double-digit rates. Therefore key stakeholders such as pharmacy benefit management companies, health plans, specialty pharmacies, employers/groups, and physician specialists, are looking for ways to most efficiently manage these products for patients.

Novo Nordisk announced details of the company?s cardiovascular outcomes trial for liraglutide (rDNA origin) injection (Victoza), which is set to start this autumn.

Vaccine agents in late-stage development.

Labeling for all prescription and over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors will have to include wording about a possible increased risk of hip, wrist, and/or spine fractures with their use.

FDA notified providers and patients that they are continuing to review available data suggesting an increase in the risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death in men treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists as androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

FDA appears to be requesting some kind of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy on most new drug products.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive condition characterized by abnormal proliferation and remodeling, vasoconstriction, and thrombosis of the pulmonary vasculature, leading to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, increases in peripheral vascular resistance, and ultimately to right heart failure and death. Recently, the therapeutic armamentarium for PAH has expanded.

Obesity is a prevalent disease that has reached epidemic proportions in both the developed and developing world. In the United States, it is estimated that 66% of the adult population is overweight or obese. There are several available pharmacologic treatments for obesity used as an adjunct to diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy. However, weight loss with these agents is modest and usually reversible when the drug is discontinued, and novel, more-effective anti-obesity agents are desperately needed.

Recent FDA Approvals (through May 2010) related to Vimovo, CIP-Tramadol ER, Zymaxid, Lumizyme, Rapamune, Sprix

New Molecular Entity: Estradiol valerate/dienogest (Natazia) was approved in May 2010 for the prevention of pregnancy.

Recent FDA action (through, May 2010) related to BMS-224818, Roflumilast, Prostvac, Naltrexone, IL13-PE38QQR/IL13-PE, Prochymal, AEZS-108, SBC-102, Pralatrexate, RG2833

According to the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and software partner Dymaxium Healthcare Innovations, the AMCP eDossier System is catching on among decision makers and drug companies alike.

New Formulation: Miconazole buccal tablets (Oravig) was approved in April 2010 for the local treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in adults.

Comparative effectiveness research is suddenly flush with fundings. Tucked in last year's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was $1.1 billion to accelerate CER.

This month keep an eye out for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services on how health insurers might calculate their MLRs to satisfy the new regulations.