News

Optum, the UnitedHealthcare subsidiary appointed to fix HealthCare.gov after its troubled launch, will not rebid for a $40 billion contract.

Working in partnership with Doctor on Demand, Optum’s NowClinic and American Well, UnitedHealthcare is expanding its telemedicine reach to encompass 20 million enrollees.

FDA has approved moxifloxacin (Avelox) for the treatment of patients with plague. Avelox has been approved under the Animal Efficacy Rule, because it was not ethical to conduct human trials.

A large international study, published in Nature Genetics, found that the H58 “superbug” version, which is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics, is now a major global health threat affecting many countries, including Asia and Africa, where typhoid is endemic.

Only 5% of Medicaid-enrolled Americans account for 50% of total Medicaid spending, and the top 1% account for almost 25% of spending, according to a new study from the Government Accountability Office.

Two new polls show majority support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) including the health insurance tax subsidies now under review by the Supreme Court.

Nearly half of American hospitals aren’t taking key steps to prevent Clostridium difficile infection-despite strong evidence that such steps work, according to a new study published online in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

Even though e-cigarette smoking is on the rise, wellness programs are not giving smoking cessation nearly enough attention or resources, according to a new HealthMine survey.

Hepatitis C infections are soaring in 4 states because of high rates of opioid abuse, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Even though cancer screenings have become more available because of the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of adults getting certain cancer screenings has not increased significantly since 2010.

Oral therapies are revolutionizing the treatment paradigm of multiple sclerosis (MS), offering enhanced dosing and patient compliance, according to new analysis. Frost & Sullivan’s A Product and Pipeline Analysis of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics Market found that recent therapeutic advancements aim at improving the tolerability of existing products, specifically for interferon beta and glatiramer acetate. Developing anti-inflammatory medications has also been a key area of focus.

Antibiotic resistance has grown at an alarming rate over the last few decades. To prevent a post-antibiotic era in which common infections could become lethal, an estimated 20 novel families of antibiotics must be developed in the next 50 years. Political groups in both the U.S. and Europe are each working to promote new development, but there are concerns the results may not come in time.

New data from a fairly sizable, open-label follow-up trial, presented at the 2015 American Transplant Congress (ATC) in Philadelphia, showed a statistically significant 43% relative risk reduction of death or transplant failure in patients receiving the belatacept (Nulojix) FDA-approved dosing regimen.

FDA’s approval of generic versions of Abilify (aripiprazole), an antipsychotic drug approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, from 4 different generic manufacturers, has industry insiders pondering the generic drug market.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients have many unmet healthcare needs and support solutions need to be implemented, according to a study published in the May, 2015 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.

A new healthcare cost transparency law in New York State created to protect consumers requires insurers to publish clear information about health plan rules.

Naloxone is a lifesaving antidote for reversing opioid overdose symptoms and the pharmacist’s role has quickly expanded in managing this population. NALOXONE ACCESS: A Practical Guideline for Pharmacists is designed to educate pharmacists on naloxone use and administration with the goal of providing increased patient access to this life-saving medication for opioid overdose.

An innovative payment model created as a pilot project by the Affordable Care Act generated more than $384 million in savings for Medicare in its first two years, according to an independent evaluation report conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Total global spending on oncology medicines – including therapeutic treatments and supportive care – reached the $100 billion threshold in 2014, while spending on oncology drugs in the U.S. increased 5.3 percent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in 2014 to reach $42.4 billion, according to a new report.

Wellness programs are a strategy to control rising healthcare costs, but according to a recent survey, many wellness incentives are meaningless to participants.

The Affordable Care Act has led to community-based approaches for super utlilizers like health homes that appear to be making inroads.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has launched a multifaceted initiative designed to support healthcare professionals who treat the culturally-unique needs of Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes.

The FDA approved Raplixa (fibrin sealant [human]), used to help control bleeding during surgery, on April 30.

Patients who are recovering from surgery in the hospital now have the opportunity to control their analgesic dosing. Ionsys (fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system) from The Medicines Company has just been approved by FDA for this use.

FDA has approved codeine polistirex and chlorpheniramine polistirex (Tuzistra XR, Vernalis plc and Tris Pharma) extended-release oral suspension, CIII (DEA Schedule III).

FDA has approved fluticasone furoate/ vilanterol (Breo Ellipta) for the treatment of asthma in adults. Breo Ellipta is a fixed-dose combination of fluticasone furoate, which is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and vilanterol, which is a long-acting beta 2 agonist (LABA). The fluticasone reduces inflammation while the vilanterol acts to open the airways. Breo Ellipta is administered using the Ellipta dry powder inhaler and comes in two strengths, 100/25 mcg and 200/25 mcg.

Generic Vicodin (hydrocodone acetaminophen) was the most widely-prescribed drug to Medicare Part D beneficiaries in 2013, according to new data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors this week approved a 3-year, $14 million clinical trial designed to determine the best dose of aspirin to use to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease.