News

FDA has placed a partial clinical hold on Idenix Pharmaceuticals' nucleotide polymerase inhibitor under development for the treatment of hepatitis C virus.

FDA has issued a Drug Safety Communication concerning three children who died and one child who experienced a nonfatal but life-threatening case of respiratory depression after taking the pain-reliever codeine following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.

While employer-sponsored health benefits are not likely to disappear, changes that shift financial risk to employees are certain.

After five years at No. 1 in Surescripts’ Safe-Rx Awards, Massachusetts drops to No. 2 in the rankings of highest e-prescribing use in the nation during 2011.

Aurora Health Care has joined with Aetna to bring employers a new type of commercial health plan, the Aurora Accountable Care Network, which offers businesses a price guarantee

Legislators expect the bill to save $200 billion over the next 15 years.

FDA has approved the influenza vaccine formulation for 6 manufacturers for the 2012-2013 flu season.

FDA has approved vincristine sulfate liposome injection for the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have had at least 2 relapses or whose disease has progressed following 2 or more anti-leukemia therapies

An ingestible sensor, formally referred to as the Ingestion Event Marker or IEM by Proteus Digital Health, that can report medication adherence and vital signs to physicians has been given the green light by FDA.

The passage of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act will support innovation, answer the current shortages, and even regulate mobile applications.

New molecular entity: FDA approved taliglucerase alfa (Elelyso, Pfizer), a recombinant active form of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme for long-term enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for adults with type 1 Gaucher disease.

New formulation: FDA approved pancrelipase delayed-release capsules (Pertyze, Digestive Care, Inc.) for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis or other conditions.

The Institute of Medicine reports that a number of issues are causing a number of barriers to successful HIV care in the United States.

Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a potent risk factor for stroke. Here's a review of new oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention with AF.

The introduction of the immunomodulatory drugs and bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has dramatically improved outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Screening for hepatitis-C may soon become a routine screening for Baby Boomers.

A new study seems to indicate that adding cetuximab to the standard therapy for resected stage 3 colon cancer provides no additional benefits.

Recent FDA action (through July 2012) related to, morphine and oxycodone Dual Opioid platform, MoxDuo, QRxPharma, apixaban, Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, RG1068, Repligen, Multi-Stem, Athersys, Rivaroxaban, Xarelto, Janssen, Ocriplasmin intravitreal injection, ThromboGenics, Regorafenib, Bayer, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Pregabalin, Lyrica, Lupin, Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol, Arthrotec, Watson, Next Choice One Dose, Plan B One-Step

The FDA recently announced a safety communication regarding the risk of seizures with MS who are starting dalfampridine.

A recent study from JAMA indicates that most Americans aren't meeting the necessary goals to lower CV risks.

Recent FDA Approvals (through July 2012) related to (Vivus, Gilead Sciences, Orasure, Pfizer, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Qiagen, Astellas Pharma US, Roche Molecular Systems, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Eisai)

A review of drug therapies and research presented at the 2012 Scientific Session of the American Diabetes Association.

Social media is moving beyond the solely social sphere to influence engagement and outcomes.

A large health insurer in Hawaii is taking an aggressive step away from the traditional fee-for-service delivery system.

Employers looking for ways to reduce healthcare costs are finding consumer-driven health plans (CDHP) to be attractive choices as they wait for the health insurance exchanges to go live.

The GOP is looking to gain control of the White House and Congress to restructure healthcare.

PPACA's rate boost only goes so far

The pressure is on to reduce costs, and many plans are finding creative ways to outsource operation functions.

Medicaid 2.0 will hit state markets in the pocketbook.

Among the decisions employers are tackling is whether to keep their group health plans.