Prescription Drug News and Research

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Codeine containing preparations lose their OTC status

It will get more difficult to procure Codeine based pain killers, cough syrups etc. from the local pharmacists from now on. There have been new restrictions over codeine based drugs like Nurofen Plus, Panadeine and Mersyndol which were initially sold over the counter but lost this OTC status with effect from May 1st 2010. The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee formulated the changes during meetings in June and October last year.

2 May 2010

Officials face challenges in writing new health law regulations

Obama administration officials face a "monumental task" in writing new regulations to the health care law while keeping one eye on public perception ahead of November's midterm elections.

30 Apr 2010

ISTA Pharmaceuticals first-quarter net revenues up 39%

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. First quarter 2010 net revenues were $28.3 million, an increase of 39% from the first quarter of 2009. Net income for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, was $0.5 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to a net loss of $19.6 million, or $0.59 per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

30 Apr 2010

Bristol-Myers Squibb reports 11% increase in first-quarter 2010 revenue

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today reported strong sales and earnings growth for the first quarter of 2010.

30 Apr 2010

HealthSpring's first-quarter premium revenue up 18.1% to $749.4 million

HealthSpring, Inc. today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

29 Apr 2010

New MDC tool provides alternative choices to user's current prescription drugs

Healthcare reform legislation has enacted changes that will significantly affect the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. The most immediate impact of the reform aims to close the "donut hole", a component of the benefit design in which seniors must pay the full cost for their drugs themselves.

29 Apr 2010

Cancer-related expenditures increase faster than any other area of health care: JAMA

From 1999 through 2006 the use of diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients with cancer increased, with use of positron emission tomography increasing the most significantly, according to a study in the April 28 issue of JAMA. Imaging costs for these patients also increased, outpacing the rate of increase in total costs among Medicare beneficiaries with cancer.

28 Apr 2010

Costs, effects on business questioned as health overhaul analysis continues

The Associated Press: The biggest unanswered question in the health overhaul debate remains what the new law will mean for ordinary Americans. "Many experts believe the law falls short on taming costs, and that will force Congress to revisit health care in a few years.

27 Apr 2010

AHRQ releases Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit

Several studies have found that a majority of American adults have trouble with basic health literacy tasks such as reading and understanding prescription drug labels and following their doctors' instructions correctly.

26 Apr 2010

General Dynamics Information Technology awarded task order to support HHS' CMS

General Dynamics Information Technology's VIPS business sector, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a task order to support the Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

26 Apr 2010

Humana reports first-quarter EPS of $1.52

Humana Inc. today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 (1Q10) of $1.52, ahead of management's guidance of $1.10 to $1.20. EPS for 1Q10 included earnings of approximately $0.37 per share from higher-than-anticipated favorable prior-period development of medical claims reserves as well as $0.04 per share in higher-than-projected income tax expense due to recently enacted health reform legislation. Excluding these items, 1Q10 EPS was at the top end of the company's previous guidance range.

26 Apr 2010

Expected impact of recently enacted U.S. Health Care Reform legislation

Merck & Co., Inc. today provided information on the expected impact of the recently enacted U.S. Health Care Reform legislation.

24 Apr 2010

CMS actuary: Health reform will cover more people, cost more than originally projected

"In the first comprehensive look by neutral experts" of the health law, The Associated Press reports that "More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up. Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance — adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.

24 Apr 2010

FDA rejects experimental painkiller Acurox

In a new development King Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc. have failed to win the approval of a US panel for marketing an experimental painkiller called Acurox.

23 Apr 2010

Amylin, Eli Lilly and Alkermes reply to FDA complete response letter for BYDUREON NDA

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company and Alkermes, Inc. today announced that the companies have submitted their reply to a complete response letter issued last month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after review of the New Drug Application (NDA) submission for BYDUREON™ (exenatide for extended-release injectable suspension).

23 Apr 2010

Baxter International's global sales for first-quarter advances by 11% to $3.1 billion

Baxter International Inc. today reported first quarter net income of $525 million, an increase of 2 percent from $516 million reported in the first quarter of 2009. Earnings per diluted share of $0.86 increased 4 percent from $0.83 per diluted share reported in the prior-year period. Baxter's first quarter financial results included a one-time, non-cash special charge of $39 million (or $0.07 per diluted share) related to a change in the tax treatment of post-retirement prescription drug benefits under recent U.S. healthcare reform legislation.

From Baxter International Inc. 22 Apr 2010

CancerDrugsDirect.com provides customers access to affordable cancer medications

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the effects can be devastating both physically as well as financially. Recent studies have shown that many cancer patients are foregoing care because of the skyrocketing cost of cancer treatments.

22 Apr 2010

Need for better understanding potential dangers of prescription painkillers

In response to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine called "Hospitalizations for Poisoning by Prescription Opioids, Sedatives, and Tranquilizers," the Waismann Method of Opiate Detoxification is urging Americans to take measures to better understand and recognize the potential dangers and addictive nature of prescription painkillers.

22 Apr 2010

Patient Protection and Affordability Act requirement goes into affect in September 2010: BCBSM

A diploma won't be the only thing carried away from high school and college commencement ceremonies in Michigan this spring. Young adults also will be carrying their parents' Blue Cross health insurance card.

22 Apr 2010

Colorado Governor moves forward with implementing reforms; Nevada community health centers feel financial pinch

In Colorado, "Gov. Bill Ritter signed four bills he promised will rein in skyrocketing health care costs on Tuesday and appointed a director who will oversee 10 state agencies to implement the Obama administration's new health care plan.

22 Apr 2010