News

This article reviews the 10 newly improved or investigational agents evaluated in this year's "Focus on" column and includes an update on the regulatory status of each drug.

Prasugrel is a thienopyridine prodrug under FDA review for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clinical trials have demonstrated statistically significant inhibition of platelet aggregation with prasugrel relative to placebo and clopidogrel; however, this improved efficacy outcome entails a significantly increased rate of bleeding.

Recent FDA action (through November 2008) related to aztreonam lysine, fentanyl buccal, tocilizumab, everolimus, ENB-0040, and artemether/lumefantrine

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through November 2008) including galantamine extended-release capsules and carbidopa/levodopa orally disintegrating tablets

FDA drug approvals

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Unfortunately, healthcare's complex business model, dynamic technology and regulatory changes, and potential for market disruptions render conventional strategic planning processes and financial decision-making tools less effective.

The American Medical Group Assn.'s compensation and financial survey indicates trends among surgical specialties, based on compensation RVUs and gross charges over a four-year period

Insurers are not immune to the financial crisis, but because of a positive cash flow and liquidity, they are stillattractive to investors

Healthcare learned lessons about access to patient data during past natural disasters and now are putting those lessons to work during this year's hurricane season

Insurers follow updated CMS rules regarding financial responsibility for egregious medical mistakes, do not pay list and never events

As goes the national economy, so goes healthcare. Unemployment will cause a rise in uninsured and Medicaid enrollment with higher spending ahead.

HHS is giving HIPAA enforcement efforts more teeth with fees and Corrective Action Plans

The Connecticut Department of Social Services launched Charter Oak Health Plan in June, a subsidized, public-private plan with no income limits and guaranteed issue. It's a suitable fit for the working uninsured, a target segment for other health reform coverage proposals nationwide.

Plans can no longer charge higher copays or limit the number of visits for behavioral or mental health benefits, thanks to a new law

Commonwealth Fund State Performance ranking: 26

Boomers have a vested interest in finding solutions to forthcoming long-term care crisis

Coverage expansion is taking a back seat as costly medical advances and the burden of obesity chew up more of the healthcare spending pie

In light of the recent NCQA report, plans should consider adopting emerging collaborative models

As disease management programs have grown in size and scope, the importance of justifying their expense by demonstrating financial savings has become critical.

There are incalculable advantages to be gained from the use of clinical data in studying chronic diseases across communities and larger populations.

Hospital medicine groups yield cost savings of approximately 13% while delivering high quality care and patient satisfaction, irrespective of the business model.

Consumers would rather do their taxes than wade through their health benefits materials, but one managed care plan is offering free assistance to help make sense of it all.

Some brokers say wrap-arounds are helping their clients provide a policy that both employers and employees can afford, but insurers disagree. At least one broker has been terminated.

A RAND study indicates that convenient care clinics serve a population that commonly does not see a primary care physician regularly

The proposed transition to ICD-10 and HIPAA 5010 will lead to chaos, fraud, abuse and consumer dissatisfaction because the current timeline is unworkable

A survey by Aon Consulting indicates double-digit increases in claims costs for 2009 but employers can reduce costs with new strategies

Merck has announced that they are discontinuing development of taranabant, an investigational selective blocker of the cannabinoid-1 (CB-1) receptor that was being studied for the treatment of obesity.

The Long-Term Intervention on Fractures with Tibolone (LIFT) study demonstrated a reduced risk of vertebral fracture, breast cancer, and possibly colon cancer but a significantly increased risk of stroke in older postmenopausal women treated with tibolone versus those treated with placebo.

FDA announced that the agency has posted on its website a report listing drugs that are being investigated for potential safety concerns.