News

New combination: FDA approved aclidinium bromide (Tudorza Pressair, Forest) for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD.

A look at the pharmacologic agents reviewed by Formulary in 2012.

Early initiation of basal insulin did not impact cardiovascular outcomes compared to standard management of glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes or elevated fasting glucose with cardiovascular risk factors.

A low-dose contraceptive patch is comparable to combination oral contraceptive in a comparative study, according to phase 3 data presented at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) 60th Annual Clinical Meeting.

Stroke is declining in the elderly but increasing at younger ages, according to research published online in Neurology.

New evidence suggests that statins generate large survival and health benefits at the population level and shows that the social value of the survival gains are large and go predominantly to consumers, according to a study published in a recent issue of Health Affairs.

A look at pharmacist involvement in hospice care.

Finally, the grueling election is over and healthcare reform is here to stay.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has updated its clinical practice guideline on use of antiplatelet drugs during heart surgery.

Don't fall for these three common myths about members.

BCBSTX is under fire for allegedly inflating premiums and holding a market monopoly.

States must market insurance exchanges with a cohesive brand.

Many are speculating what PPACA will mean for medical costs, but some industry experts say that costs will decrease.

The government requires Part D plans to offer MTM services and report outcomes.

Customize your provider networks to prepare for healthcare's new consumer-drive market.

Unnecessary diagnostic tests are harmful to patients and costly for health plans.

The specialty pharmacy market is currently fragmented with extreme variation in knowledge and education, patient care management, service, and outcomes.

Last month, the National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed 10 behavioral-health quality measures

Experts are paying closer attention to medication reconciliation as a means to curb cost, but providers are finding the implementation isn't always easy.

More than $8 billion has been saved this year as a result of the American Medical Association's (AMA) Heal the Claims Process campaign

A study of 1.7 million patients with diabetes indicates that reducing inflammation of the mouth can produce improvement in other health measures.

While most states have policies to evaluate premium increases, the Rate Review Program under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) puts a brighter spotlight on states' authority.

FDA has approved cabozantinib (Cometriq, Exelixis and AstraZeneca) for the treatment of progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who also have diabetes experienced similar safety and efficacy with dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa) 150 mg or dabigatran 110 mg relative to warfarin, in comparison to patients without diabetes who have NVAF, according to data presented at American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.

An FDA advisory panel voted against making oxybutynin transdermal patch (Oxytrol, Merck and Watson Pharma) available over-the-counter (OTC) for overactive bladder (OAB) in women, Medpage Today reported.

The Obama administration moved ahead to implement provisions in the healthcare law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Other provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also would make it easier for consumers to compare health plans and easier for employers to promote and encourage employee wellness.

Prostaglandin inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex, Pfizer) and indomethacin (Indocin, Merck and Lundbeck) and calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine and nicardipine (Cardene, Cornerstone Therapeutics) had the highest probability of delaying premature labor by 48 hours and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, according to a systemic review and network meta-analysis published in a recent issue of BMJ.

Low back pain may be difficult to self-manage, study says Self-management has small effects on pain and disability in people with low back pain, according to a study published online in Arthritis Care & Research.