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In July of 2012, a provision in the newly ratified Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), paved the way for the FDA to further assist drug manufacturers in expediting the development and introduction of new drugs demonstrating early signs of advancement in the treatment of key conditions. Known as the “breakthrough therapy” designation, this new tool is seen by many as yet another positive sign that the FDA is committed to ensuring that innovative drug products are brought to market even more quickly for the millions of patients with serious medical conditions, desperately in need of new therapeutic options.

Delays in treatment and medication non-adherence are the major reasons behind avoidable costs in the healthcare system, according to a new study released this week.

It is well known that type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A recent epidemiologic study conducted in the United Kingdom assessed the time to first major cardiovascular event in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a large real-world population.

Typically, basal insulin is chosen as the add-on treatment in patients with severe hyperglycemia. However, it has been questioned whether it is the best option, according to research presented in June at American Diabetes Association 73rd Scientific Sessions, in Chicago.

Many patients suffer from both hypertension and high cholesterol, putting them at greater risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Controlling the hypertension and high cholesterol would reduce CHD risk by 50% or more, but less than a third of patients have achieved adequate control of both, according to an online study in Circulation.

When metformin cannot maintain glycemic control, sulfonylureas are often used as add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes; however, risks include weight gain and hypoglycemia. Dapagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor and increases urinary glucose excretion and reduces hyperglycemia independently of insulin secretion or action.

An international study has found that dapagliflozin has sustained metabolic benefits compared with glipizide. Benefits included stable weight loss and low rates of hypoglycemia. Additionally, therapy was well-tolerated by patients.

In patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with exenatide has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. A recent study used the GE Healthcare database to evaluate the risk of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke in 2,795 patients taking exenatide twice daily and in 51,547 patients taking insulin in routine clinical practice.

The US healthcare system could avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in medical costs if medication adherence rates improved, according to a CVS Caremark report.

A recent international, open-label, randomized, controlled study of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared once-weekly exenatide to titrated insulin glargine.

Dapagliflozin produces larger reductions in HbA1c in individuals who have higher baseline levels.

The new update to the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guideline on the pharmacologic interventions for breast cancer risk reduction now lists aromatase inhibitor exemestane (Aromasin, Pfizer) as an option for postmenopausal women for primary risk reduction that are at an increased risk of developing invasive breast cancer.

Estimates of the cost of fraud in the Medicare system range broadly from $17 billion to $90 billion. However, there are no estimates of-or methods to detect-how much of the wasted money is attributable to old-fashioned human error rather than blatant crime.

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Blood pressure (BP) response to changes in dietary sodium and potassium is reproducible over the long term and may help identify potential candidates at risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the journal Hypertension.

Long-term use of calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) may increase the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, but additional research is needed to confirm, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, published online August 5.

There's more political pressure on governors to contain costs and influence healthcare delivery. An industry think tank aims to tackle cost and quality for state leaders.

When a Harvard professor recants her research on ROI, you know wellness programs are doomed

Oral oncolytics are relatively new to the field of cancer therapy. However, they now make up about 25% of the oncology market and their use is continually expanding. The current insurance system is not efficiently equipped to handle their rapid entry into the market.

Under the rule, individuals associated with security mishaps will become personally liable for their organization’s transgressions

The only predictable aspect of the influenza season is its unpredictability, according to experts.

More than a third of young people believe prescription stimulant abuse is a big problem among their peers, according to a new survey.

Approximately 90,000 Americans die every year as a result of kidney disease. This disease produces no symptoms until it is in the advanced stages, so people in the early stages are not likely to know they have it unless they are tested.

A severe decline in the use of estrogen therapy (ET) due to misunderstanding the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen Plus Progestin Trial has particularly affected hysterectomized women in their 50s, leading to excess mortality, according to a study published online in the American Journal of Public Health.

Meanwhile, the data collected isn't exactly in the right format for secondary use

Partners provide education and boots on the ground to improve health and attract members

Financial incentives will be linked to comprehensive care which includes the mind and body