News

Narrow pharmacy networks are booming

Insurers fight back as three Rs become the pawns of health reform politics

Marketplaces remain strictly focused on connecting the uninsured with coverage

CMS uses a probe and educate strategy during transition

FDA has approved hyaluronic acid (HA) injection (Monovisc, Anika Therapeutics), a single-injection supplement to synovial fluid of the osteoarthritic joint, for the treatment of pain and the improvement of joint mobility in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

FDA actions in brief, breakthrough therapy designations, priority review, fast-track designations, orphan drug designations

While patients may complain about the rising cost of their healthcare, few of them appear willing to do much about it, according to a new survey.

Health management and business updates

Several factors beyond the 45 day notice affect plan outlook

Drug shortages remain a serious problem for patient safety, according to newly published results from a survey of pharmacy directors.

These approaches exemplify the path health plans need to take for effective consumer centricity.

Physicians are largely unhappy with their EHR systems and given the opportunity, would unplug them immediately.

Health plans should consider turning to their members to ask for quality feedback.

Pushback from members has caused regulators to take notice.

Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are one of 18 clinical research centers taking part in a national study to establish guidelines for safely stepping down treatment in patients whose asthma is well controlled.

This season's flu vaccine has reduced the risk of influenza-associated medical visits by 61% across all age groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thus far it appears to be outperforming its predecessor from 2012-2013, which had an effectiveness rate of 51%.

Six protected drug classes could be whittled down to three by 2016

Security pros say the federal site is wide open to breaches, malware and theft of personal information

Forest Laboratories plans to discontinue the sale of memantine HCl (Namenda) 5-mg and 10-mg tablets effective August 15, 2014. Forest has notified FDA of this decision.

A coalition of doctors, addiction experts, and law enforcement officials are urging FDA to revoke approval of the powerful opioid Zohydro ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) extended-release capsules, which reportedly will contain 10 times more hydrocodone than Vicodin

Blood pressure medications used by many older adults can increase the risk of serious fall injuries by 30% to 40%-injuries that have a similar effect on mortality and functional loss as the strokes and heart attacks the antihypertensive drugs are meant to prevent-according to a study in the Feb. 24 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.

Get caught up on CMS proposals for Part D networks, mail order and price negotiations

With the proper incentives, collaboration among providers will accelerate.

In an attempt to determine which patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at high risk for serious adverse events upon presentation to the emergency department, Canadian researchers identified 10 clinical characteristics and developed a preliminary risk scale to help standardize the admission practices of these patients.

The tide has turned against the use of azithromycin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic for common infections since the early 1990s, because of the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Patients with severe injuries initially evaluated at non-trauma center emergency departments are less likely to be transferred to a trauma center if they have insurance, according to study published online ahead of print in JAMA Surgery.

Bertolini calls for transformative change focused on wellness, aligned incentives

EHRs must support clinical optimization and care management to move to the next level