Prescription Drug News and Research

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Analysis defines impact of Medicare Part D

The most thorough study to date of the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) found that this benefit led to a 13.1 percent decrease in out-of-pocket expenses for patients and a 5.9 percent increase in prescription use.

9 Jan 2008

Americans pay the most for prescription drugs and still don't take them

An international study of dialysis patients shows that although U.S. residents have the highest out-of-pocket drug costs, even those who can afford their prescription drugs are far less likely to take them than patients in other countries.

9 Jan 2008

FDA warnings appeared to effectively increase perception of risks involved with antidepressant treatment

U.S. Food and Drug Administration warnings regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents taking antidepressants appear to have had modest and targeted effects on the intended populations, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

8 Jan 2008

Prescription drug ads on television minimize risk information

Prescription drug ads on television first hit the airwaves just over a decade ago, but a new University of Georgia study finds that most of them still do not present a fair balance of information, especially when it comes to the risk of side effects.

4 Jan 2008

Cosmecueticals improve skin

Cosmecueticals, beauty aids that reportedly work like prescription drugs, are providing new ways to treat aging skin.

2 Jan 2008

NCPA applauds pharmacy tricare provisions in the congressional passage of the defense authorization bill

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) thanks Congress for including key pharmacy provisions in the Defense Authorization Act Conference Report for fiscal year 2008 it passed last week.

17 Dec 2007

CDC study finds 5.5 percent increase in injury mortality from 1999 to 2004

Increases in deaths among 20-to-29 and 45-to-54 year olds contribute to first overall increase in years.

14 Dec 2007

Study finds disease management programs improve the quality of health care

Disease management programs that help guide the care of patients with chronic health problems appear to improve the quality of health care, but there is little evidence that such efforts actually save money, according to a study issued by the RAND Corporation.

10 Dec 2007

FDA to review potential anti-arrhythmic claims for Ranexa

CV Therapeutics, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the Company that it will evaluate the approval of potential anti-arrhythmic claims for Ranexa (ranolazine extended-release tablets) as part of its ongoing review of the Company's supplemental new drug application (sNDA).

10 Dec 2007

How much and how often should you take your medicine?

You have just been prescribed a new medication by your doctor and the container label says: "take one tablet by mouth twice daily for 7 days."

29 Nov 2007

Drug safety experts call for increased patient involvement

National drug safety experts, including representatives from the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (CMPI) and the Critical Path Institute (CPI), will gather at the National Press Club and call for an improved approach to providing consumers with real time and individualized information about the risks and benefits of drugs on the market.

27 Nov 2007

Age Intervention Eyelash products seized by U.S. Marshals

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized today 12,682 applicator tubes of Age Intervention Eyelash, a product that may, in some users, lead to decreased vision.

19 Nov 2007

Eyelash growth product can damage vision

American consumers are being warned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the dangers of a product which promises to increase eyelash growth.

19 Nov 2007

Prescription medication dosages often incorrect for obese patients

As if severely overweight people didn't already have enough health concerns, experts are raising another red flag - the possibility that some of their prescription medications, especially antibiotics, may not be prescribed at the appropriate dosage and could be ineffective.

16 Nov 2007

FDA approves new nonprescription allergy drug Zyrtec-D

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zyrtec-D (cetirizine HCl 5 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg), an allergy drug, for nonprescription use in adults and children 12 years of age and older. This drug combines an antihistamine with a nasal decongestant.

13 Nov 2007

75% of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone prescription drug plans could face premium increases in 2008

The open enrollment period for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit begins Thursday and continues through the end of the year, and beneficiaries should "look closely" at their plans because many of them are increasing premiums, copayments and deductibles, the Baltimore Sun reports.

12 Nov 2007

CMS informs some low-income Medicare drug plan beneficiaries that their coverage could change

About two million low-income beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans could be moved to new plans in 2008, and millions of other beneficiaries will have to change plans if they want to avoid double-digit premium increases, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports.

6 Nov 2007