News

In primary care clinics not only has there been an increase in opioid prescriptions, but there is also a persistent increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions over the last decade, according to new research.

The high risk of bleeding in patients taking the anticoagulant dabigatran (Pradaxa) has been a major problem that the manufacturer and health experts have been trying to find solutions for over the last four years. Sixteen percent of patients experienced a bleed in one year, including 3.3% who had bleeds that required emergency medical treatment, according to one clinical trial.

Sebelius says more Latino outreach is needed, meanwhile commercial enrollees are popping up more often

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prescriptions for US. adults have more than doubled from 2008 to 2012, according to a report by Express Scripts.

A penicillin "allergy" label adversely affects the quantity and quality of healthcare in hospitalized patients, according to a study in the March issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The penicillin allergy label is the most common drug "allergy" listed in medical records during hospital admissions.

Why would HHS disrupt Part D when it's been a success for plans and for seniors?

E-cigarette use is associated with cigarette smoking among teens, according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics.

Bringing a new tool to the arsenal of medications to treat type 2 diabetes, FDA recently approved the only once-weekly injectable pen for adults with type 2 diabetes.

AMCP and NCPA are generally relieved that feds won't interfere with drug prices

While 4.2 million have signed up for private plans, quite a few of them also have a sense of humor

Hospital pharmacists are on the frontline of intravenous (IV) saline shortages and need to prepare an action plan to ensure patient safety.

Researchers have found a link between women who have taken oral contraceptives and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, this does not mean women should stop taking birth control.

Pharmacy groups, representing more than 100,000 pharmacists in different pharmacy practice settings, have written to CMS Administrator Marilyn B. Tavenner to express their support for the expansion of medication therapy management (MTM) services to Medicare Part D Beneficiaries in the CMS proposal released in early January.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a policy statement updating its recommendations for off-label drug use in the pediatric population.

Leaders must take off the blinders and see the need for private sector jobs

Evidence shows that the traditional approach is not effective.

FDA drug approvals for the week ending March 7

Poor antibiotic prescribing practices are putting patients at risk for allergic reactions, super-resistant infections, and deadly diarrhea cause by Clostridium difficile, according to new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Plans have opportunities to bridge the transition for non-grandfathered plans and PCP payments under ACA

FDA is allowing generic sales of emergency contraceptives to be sold over the counter, without age restrictions, NPR reported.

Quality and research initiatives in engagement and the value of investment in population health programs will be a focus in 2014.

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that received FDA approval for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in 2010. The mechanism of action includes slowing gastric emptying, increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decreasing inappropriate glucagon release, and instilling a feeling of satiety. Liraglutide is administered once daily by subcutaneous injection. Common adverse effects of liraglutide include nausea (28%), diarrhea (17%), vomiting (11%), and constipation (10%).

Patients more than 80 years old are being “over-treated” for stroke prevention and doctors need to actively rethink their priorities and beliefs about stroke prevention, according to a new study published in Evidence Based Medicine.

Stethoscopes can become contaminated with microorganisms following a physical examination and have similar levels of contamination as a physician’s dominant hand, according to a study conducted at a Swiss university teaching hospital in 2009 and published in the March issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

FDA advisors decided against recommending over-the-counter (OTC) marketing approval of Primatene HFA inhaler (Armstrong Pharmaceuticals) for the temporary relief of mild symptoms of intermittent asthma in patients 12 years and older, at last week’s joint meeting of the FDA’s Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee.

Seattle Children’s Hospital has been publicly at odds with insurers over the trend toward narrow networks.