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Absent regulatory reform prompts Michigan Blues to make some hard business decisions while groups such as Put Michigan People First say BCBSM wasn't able to get individual insurance reform legislation passed because it failed to compromise with key stakeholders.

After scrutiny by the PID, Highmark and Independence Blue Cross called off their merger. PID argues that the union would have created an insurance monopoly in Pennsylvania. The two companies deny that the combination would not have lessened competition in the market.

Pfizer-Wyeth union is just another example of consolidation in the pharma industry.

Consultants speculate on who President Obama will tap to fill the HHS, FDA and IT Coordinator posts after Tom Daschle announces his withdrawal from the HHS appointment.

MCO execs should be looking at payment changes that are win-win for the payer, consumer

On February 3, the FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously recommended that prasugrel (Daiichi Sankyo/Lilly) should be approved for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of HIV and AIDS

Recent FDA action (through February 2009) related to asenapine, certolizumab, olanzapine long-acting injection, ustekinumab, oritavancin, rotigotine, and vigabatrin

Confusing drug names, or "look-alike/sound-alike names" (LASAs), are among the most common reasons for medication errors worldwide; these errors can lead to both morbidity and mortality. Both technological innovations and better communication can help healthcare professionals track and prevent these medication mix-ups.

Dronedarone, an investigational antiarrhythmic agent being studied for the management of AF and atrial flutter, has a pharmacologic mechanism of action that is similar to that of amiodarone, but dronedarone lacks an iodine moiety, which may result in less thyroid and pulmonary toxicity. Dronedarone is currently pending FDA approval; the agent was granted priority review in August 2008.

The challenge of controlling HIV in patients with resistance to antiretrovirals has contributed to accelerated research into treatments with novel antiretroviral activity.

New molecular entity: Plerixafor (Mozobil), a hematopoietic stem cell mobilizer, was approved on December 15, 2008, for mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells for autologous transplantation in patients with NHL and MM

New molecular entity: Degarelix, a GnRH receptor antagonist, was approved on December 24, 2008, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer

New molecular entity: Milnacipran (Savella), a selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, was approved on January 14, 2009, for the management of fibromyalgia

Lobbying efforts by the pharmaceutical industry and timing concerns have prevented CMS from requiring that all Part D plans move to pass-through pricing

Measurement tools used by state regulatory bodies evaluate MCO capitalization and investment

Pick your poison. Even with the grand number of proposals on the table, healthcare will still cost the nation trillions.

WellPoint sanctions might be indicative of deeper oversight problems in Medicare.

While numbers show less growth, the $2.2 trillion spent on healthcare is still exceptionally high

Big name insurers are getting smacked with fees and penalties for dropping the ball

Drill into your own data to see whether and to what degree these national inpatient trends are occuring in your own area.

Commonwealth Fund State Performance Ranking: 26

ASCs are gaining in popularity due to their convenience, but acute-care hospitals are losing patients and profits.

Hypertension is the leading medical condition, and health plans are finding better ways to increase DM program participation rates, such as Aetna's program tailored to the African American population

Although there are barriers to childhood and adult vaccines, benefits likely outweigh the risks, so health plans must be in the driver's seat as far as education and delivery of care.

Health plans as employers themselves need just as much of a commitment to wellness as their clients

The first step towards creating an effective market access function is to develop a clear understanding of the needs and perspectives of the various stakeholders in each individual market

MDwise is delivering a new subsidized plan with a consumer-directed look to low-income adults in Indiana