News

Eliminating copays for preventive medications prescribed for post-heart attack patients can significantly improve medication adherence for all patients, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

Using dabigatran anticoagulation treatment for pregnant women could potentially affect fetal blood coagulation, according to a study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dabigatran may cross the placenta to the fetus.

A pharmacist who is proficient at monitoring and ensuring appropriate therapy, as well as providing necessary medication counseling, will greatly enhance compliance and reduce potential adverse drug reactions and interactions in HIV-positive hospital patients, according to FormularyWatch advisor James M. Wooten, PharmD, associate professor, department of medicine, section of clinical pharmacology, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Plans testified to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that more than 80% of new customers had paid the monthly premiums.

Patients treated by physicians in designated medical homes reduced overall medical costs by 21% in the first year

Will offer comprehensive information about the price and quality of healthcare services

A new survey has found that pharmaceutical companies and payers are not seeing eye to eye.

FDA has approved a new indication for antihemophilic factor VIII (recombinant),(Kogenate FS, Bayer), for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults with hemophilia A.

There is value in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) early, according to results from a study presented during the 66th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

Health plans have been deploying transparency tools, but they are often underutilized, not intuitive or don’t provide the whole picture.

FDA approved vorapaxar (Zontivity, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck) tablets to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, and need for procedures to restore the blood flow to the heart in patients with a previous heart attack or blockages in the arteries to the legs.

FDA approved omega-3-carboxylic acids (Epanova, AstraZeneca) as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride levels greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL).

Two of the largest health systems in Michigan have formed a separate clinical care company to create a network with 27 hospitals, more than 12 physician organizations and 5,000 physicians for joint managed care contracting.

The National Lipid Association just released a report addressing six safety issues related to statin therapy, including the effects of statins on cognition, diabetes risk, liver function, muscle symptoms, interactions with other drugs, and statin intolerance. The report, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, is an update to a consensus report published by the organization in 2006.

Higher dietary fiber intake among myocardial infarction (MI) survivors lowers the risk of subsequent all cause and cardiovascular mortality, according to a prospective study published April 29 in BMJ.

The sale of electronic or e-cigarettes may soon be regulated by FDA. Last week the agency proposed a new rule that would extend its authority to cover additional tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

An FDA advisory panel recommended against Merck’s attempt to sell its prescription drug, montelukast sodium (Singulair), as an over-the-counter product for allergy relief in adults only.

FDA approved ceritinib (Zykadia, Novartis) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

RightCare’s software, based on 10 years of academic and clinical research, has been proven to reduce readmission rates by as much as 35%.

The increase in recent acquisition activity among Big Pharma illustrates different growth strategies, according to industry watchers.

Preventable deaths with in the top 5 causes of death vary across states, and CDC notes an opportunity to improve

Lorazepam is not necessarily better at stopping epileptic seizures in children than diazepam, according to a new study published in the April 30 issue of JAMA.

FDA approved siltuximab (Sylvant, Janssen Biotech) to treat patients with multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD), a rare disorder similar to lymphoma.

Pharmacists can play an influential role in ensuring patient access to quality health care by both encouraging and enhancing patient medication adherence and increasing patient knowledge of their disease states and medication therapies.

FDA approved umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta, GlaxoSmithKline) once-daily anticholinergic for long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

Assessing the clinical utility of diagnostic testing has always been a complicated undertaking. And as new genetic tests enter the equation, that complexity will only increase. To examine the issues surrounding clinical utility, I’d like to share a quick story.

Even if Medicare doesn't reimburse physicians for consultations, patients still want to talk about their care preferences

A dearth of informatics to confirm the intuitive benefits of wellness makes it difficult for a numbers-driven health insurance system to know how to invest its resources