News

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius is confirmed as HHS Secretary.

Health plan industry keeps stakeholders informed in the midst of the swine flu outbreak.

2008 Top 100 branded drugs by total prescriptions and total retail dollars

The economic stimulus package approved by Congress in February provides more than $1 billion to support research on competing medical treatments. Although a fairly minor piece of the larger $789 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the provision set off widespread reaction to the possibility that comparative study results may be used to limit coverage of more expensive medicines.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in the United States, especially among older adults. This article reviews nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to management of OA of the knee and hip.

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that is currently pending FDA approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This agent mimics the actions of food-induced endogenous GLP-1 release, thus causing glucose-dependent increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion, and reduced appetite and gastric emptying.

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through May 2009) including drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, levalbuterol, and topiramate

Recent FDA action (through May 2009) related to budesonide/formoterol, sertindole, quetiapine, saxagliptin, bevacizumab, dronedarone, and ofatumumab

New indication: Tigecycline (Tygacil), a tetracycline-class antibiotic, was approved on March 20, 2009, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

Because so many people nowadays seem to be using cell phones rather than computers and e-mail to stay in touch, telemedicine programs are taking note of this trend and beginning to rely more on mobile phone technology.

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

United says it has no plans to follow suit by selling off its pharmacy benefit services. WellPoint will oursource now.

Employers' dependent eligibility audits find 5% don't belong on the plan. Next step is voluntary opt-out followed by removal.

Policy makers focus on consumer protection and health plan conduct

As patient dissatisfaction grows with the U.S. healthcare system, consumers are shopping for value in all healthcare service areas.

Efficiency and patient satisfaction are fueling the growth of self-service kiosks in ambulatory and ER settings.

Prescription drug trends show that the underinsured may be voluntarily opting out of compliance due to affordability issues. Lower copayments may be key to curbing this.

Stand for Quality, a public-private coalition, has developed a quality-improvement and affordability framework.

University of South Florida and Allscripts push paper-free prescribing while touting the availability of stimulus funding for e-health.

As community clinics in California struggle to meet patient needs, there's a realization that there needs to be a better balance between supply and demand.

Wal-Mart's EHR package offered to physicians may require more than just its marketing presence.

Health plan industry is trading at a discount so rumor of Aetna acquisition of Humana may not be far off base.

In a multinational prospective study published in the BMJ, investigators demonstrated that parenteral medication errors are common occurrences in intensive care units (ICUs), but the number of errors can be reduced through the use of error-reporting and electronic prescribing systems.

In a pilot study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators demonstrated that modafinil blocks dopamine transporters and increases dopamine levels in the brain, suggesting that this agent has the potential for abuse and addiction.

The headlines about contaminated heparin and tainted peanuts have put pressure on FDA to improve its methods for detecting unsafe medical and food products and to take swift action when problems emerge. The complaints are prompting the Obama administration to provide more resources for FDA while Congress weighs expanding agency operations and enforcement authority.

This article reviews the similarities and differences between albuterol (ALB) and levalbuterol (LEV) to provide P&T committees a concise summary of the available literature regarding efficacy, side effects, and cost of these agents.

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through April 2009) including malathion lotion, 0.5%

Recent FDA action (through April 2009) related to alglucosidase alfa, bosentan, cetuximab, doxepin, telavancin, quetiapine extended-release, oxycodone/niacin, and EUR-1073