News

Complementary alternative medication (CAM) including vitamins, herbals, supplements, homeopathy, and extracts seems to be as polarizing a topic as politics these days. Given that more than half of the US adult population uses at least 1 CAM, you can easily find passionate opinions on either side of the isle from the Herbal Tea Party and Abstinence Only factions.1 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently fueled the debate by publically declaring they would no longer provide CAM.2 Families wishing to continue these agents during hospitalization have to sign a waiver and provide the product. Some hospitals have long held this abstinence policy (perhaps sans waiver), but were less vocal in their withdrawal. The motivation for disallowing use is based on risks to the patients due to the inherent unknowns of CAM. Patients seem to be increasingly motivated to continue consuming, however, as self-management with CAM skyrockets.

Continued use of statins may help prevent delirium in critically ill patients who received statins before hospital admission, according to a study published online ahead of print in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Diabetic patients who used an online patient portal to refill medications increased their medication adherence and improved cholesterol levels, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published in a recent issue of Medical Care.

An analysis of emergency department (ED) visits over a 10-year period found that while inappropriate antibiotic use is decreasing in pediatric settings, it continues to remain a problem in adults, according to a study published ahead of print in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Noninfectious diarrhea in patients with HIV on antiretroviral therapy showed improvement after treatment with 125-mg delayed-release crofelemer (Fulyzaq, Salix Pharmaceuticals) tablets, according to a study in HIV Clinical Trials.

Express Scripts and CVS Caremark are expected to expand their list of non-covered drugs for the 2015 plan year, leading to challenging pricing negotiations between branded pharmaceutical companies and PBMs.

Optimal medication adherence is important for patients who have had a heart attack in order to get maximum clinical benefit, according to a study published in the January 2014 issue of the American Heart Journal.

FDA is recommending healthcare professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit.

One of the three R's is under scrutiny

62% of young adults believe they are less at risk for a major illness or medical condition than the average American.

Patients, plans weigh tradeoffs between lower premiums, fewer doctors.

Focus on simplifying healthcare when rebranding your product.

All pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes mellitus at 24 weeks gestation, even if they have no symptoms, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Aetna is launching a pilot program to test the benefits of FDA-approved, prescription weight-loss drugs combined with lifestyle support.

Reach 18 to 34 year olds through social media and innovative products

Premium increase unlikely in 2015.

In elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) taking obinutuzumab (Gazyva, Genentech), also known as GA101, in combination with chlorambucil lived nearly 1 year longer without worsening of their disease compared to rituximab in combination with chlorambucil, according to a study published online ahead of print in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Plans are working through 834 data to get new members signed up quickly

Hunger in the United States may have important health consequences, including a higher risk of low blood sugar, a new study suggested.

Officials hope to increase the proportion of young adults buying plans before the March 31 open enrollment deadline.

Over-the-counter sodium phosphate drugs can cause serious injury to kidneys and the heart if more than 1 dose is taken in 24 hours, according to an FDA warning.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a medical illness that is characterized by depressed mood, hopelessness, and loss of interest.1 According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 6.7% of US adult population experienced MDD, with 30.4% of these cases (2.0% of U.S. adult population) classified as severe.

A higher cumulative dose of bortezomib (Velcade, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company) suggested improved overall survival (OS) in previously untreated multiple myeloma patients, according to results from a retrospective subgroup analysis of the phase 3 VISTA study.

An investigational all-oral proteasome inhibitor-MLN9708 (Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company)-plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone generated high response rates and increased depth of response with extended treatment duration in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, according to data presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2013 annual meeting in New Orleans.

Evolocumab (Amgen) may offer a new treatment option for patients with dyslipidemia, according to new data from a phase 3 study.

From the State Health Care Cost Containment Commission

Those treated with Umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation powder showed improved lung function.

The two companies have signed an agreement that commits them to a “50/50 joint venture” that may dominate the US market.

Manufacturers must prove products are more effective than soap and water.