News

The effect of new Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will depend largely on federal and state actions to roll out the provisions and encourage enrollment.

A pilot study of resveratrol in 10 older adults suggests that the compound may be beneficial for patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

In patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with exenatide once weekly for 1 year results in sustained improvements in glycemic control, body weight, cardiovascular risk markers, and markers of hepatic injury, according to a pooled analysis of 2 large clinical trials.

A post hoc analysis of 5 clinical trials of liraglutide suggests that it was significantly better than active comparators on a composite end point of glycated hemoglobin less than 7% without hypoglycemia or weight gain, reported French investigators.

Liraglutide is more successful in reducing glycated hemoglobin levels to 7% or less regardless of baseline glycated hemoglobin level compared with sitagliptin in adults with type 2 diabetes, said Melanie Davies, MD, MB ChB, professor of diabetes medicine, University of Leicester, United Kingdom.

Patients who are not well controlled on metformin may get better control of glycated hemoglobin levels and weight using once-weekly exenatide than by titrating insulin glargine.

Data from phase 3 trials of an investigational once-weekly injectable human GLP-1 analog?taspoglutide?show that it compares favorably with currently available agents in terms of glycemic control while offering favorable gastrointestinal tolerability and equal or superior weight loss.

A new Harris Interactive poll shows a majority of American parents believe they, rather than the government, should have the final say in which vaccines their children receive.

Centers without hospital affiliations reported they had more difficulty getting off-site specialty appointments regardless of a patient's insurance status.

Improved treatment of severe epilepsy could reduce the overall cost of the condition, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Research (ISPOR), in Atlanta.

Results of a new study presented at the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) annual meeting, found that the investigational triple combination therapy of olmesartan medoxomil (OM), amlodipine besylate (AML), and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), demonstrated significantly greater mean reductions in blood pressure as compared with corresponding dual combination therapy.

An experimental drug for hepatitis C from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, telaprevir, sharply increased the cure rate in a clinical trial, while reducing the time needed for treatment. Experts said the results could herald a new era in treating the sometimes-fatal disease that is often overlooked, as reported by The New York Times.

Most patients with resistant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to an initial cycle of rituximab (Rituxan) showed clinical improvement following a second treatment cycle, a British study found, as reported by MedPage.

Most patients with resistant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to an initial cycle of rituximab (Rituxan) showed clinical improvement following a second treatment cycle, a British study found, as reported by MedPage.

Researchers will explore whether a new, very low-cost, one-a-day combined ?polypill? could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems across the world, in a major new international trial that has just launched, as reported by ScienceDaily.

In 2009, the drug trend for children, a measure of prescription spending growth, increased 10.8%, driven by a 5% increase in drug utilization and higher medication costs, according to the Medco 2010 Drug Trend Report.

Low-dose hormone therapy significantly reduced ?sleep time? awakenings caused by hot flashes in postmenopausal women, according to the results of a recent multicenter study conducted at 19 US sites.

Results of a new study found that the investigational triple combination therapy of olmesartan medoxomil (OM), amlodipine besylate (AML), and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), demonstrated significantly greater mean reductions at week 12 in blood pressure.

As early as April 2009, FDA and the American Thyroid Association began recommending that propylthiouracil not be prescribed as first-line therapy in most adults or children based on reports of propylthiouracil-related serious liver injury from both the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System and liver transplantation monitoring programs.

Improved treatment of severe epilepsy could reduce the overall cost of the condition, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Research, in Atlanta.

Many social media sites exist, but healthcare professionals may not know that social media also exists in their realm. It ranges from online medical advice to actual patient-physician appointments.

Overall, 70% of adverse drug events are considered preventable. Since managed care companies are always looking to improve patient care and prevent adverse outcomes, it is no wonder that patient safety is a concern in this healthcare environment.

Costs for specialty pharmaceuticals continue to increase at double-digit rates. Therefore key stakeholders such as pharmacy benefit management companies, health plans, specialty pharmacies, employers/groups, and physician specialists, are looking for ways to most efficiently manage these products for patients.

Novo Nordisk announced details of the company?s cardiovascular outcomes trial for liraglutide (rDNA origin) injection (Victoza), which is set to start this autumn.

Vaccine agents in late-stage development.

Labeling for all prescription and over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors will have to include wording about a possible increased risk of hip, wrist, and/or spine fractures with their use.

FDA notified providers and patients that they are continuing to review available data suggesting an increase in the risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death in men treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists as androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

FDA appears to be requesting some kind of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy on most new drug products.