News

Brightly colored prescription warning labels applied by pharmacies fail to adequately capture the attention of older patients, suggesting that current labeling standards should be reconsidered to make them more effective, according to a study published online June 14 in PLoS ONE.

Drug Watch: Lymphomas

A panel at AMCP's annual meeting discussed the need to improve MS medication adherence.

Recent FDA Approvals (through June 2012) related to (GlaxoSmithKline, XenoPort, Roche)

New molecular entity: FDA approved the soral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, avanafil (Stendra, Vivus) for the treatment of ED.

Forecasts from AMCP's annual meeting indicate a full pipeline for specialty medications.

Recent FDA action (through June 2012) related to, Darunavir, Prezista, Janssen Therapeutics, Ridaforolimus, Merck, Tafamidis meglumine, Pfizer, mechlorethamine, Ceptaris Therapeutics, AVP-923, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, NKTR-181, Nektar Therapeutics, EDI200, Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Galeterone, TOK-001, Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Butoconazole nitrate 2% vaginal cream, Gynazole-1, Perrigo

New molecular entity: FDA approved tafluprost 0.0015% (Zioptan, Merck) ophthalmic solution to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

A new study of patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease found that extended treatment with donepezil could improve cognition and function for even severe patients; however, experts caution that the benefits of the drug were modest.

A review of drug therapies and research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association

While scientists and biomedical researchers at the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) applauded encouraging data on dozens of breakthrough cancer therapies, analysts pondered strategies for convincing payers to cover the new life-saving drugs.

The rising cost of specialty drugs, challenges with medication adherence, and the utilizations of mail order are among the top trends impacting employers and other health plan sponsors, according to a recent report about prescription benefit management trends.

FDA issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.

A study indicates that new drugs offer real promise to hepatitis C patients.

The current compendia landscape, through constantly in flux, impacts everything from payer approval of off-label use to manufacturer patient access initiatives. Drug compendia, defined as summaries of drug information, affects coverage and reimbursement decisions for pharmaceuticals products, and as a result, it's important for pharmaceitucal manufacturers and healthcare providers to understand the role and impact of compendia off-label uses.

Brad Wilson discusses a new health clinic, created through a unique partnership between BCBSNC and UNC

Outlining future costs for HDHP members would encourage more prevention and care compliance.

How you interpret avoidable hospitalization data depends entirely on your perspective.

Part D program exceeds industry expectations

Efforts to reduce outlays are generating initiatives to better manage the care for some 10 million dual eligibles.

A study from PwC indicates what lies ahead for the healthcare industry in 2013.

Asthma medications for children must match a child's ability to understand and control treatment of symptoms.

As the motivation for implementing health exchange increases, some states have made little progress.

Private insurers have created novel incentive programs this year to reinforce the practice of primary care.

Medicaid populations might soon be facing additional problems in accessing care

More employers are interested in exploring direct contracting arrangements with providers, according to healthcare experts.

The contraceptive mandate stoked the legal fire of religious groups.

Narrow, high performance networks are making a comeback.