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Peer comparison letters lead to persistent decrease in antipsychotic prescribing

A study led by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health has found that letters targeting high prescribers of Seroquel, an antipsychotic with potentially harmful side effects in the elderly, significantly reduced the number of prescriptions for patients in Medicare.

2 Aug 2018

To tame prescription prices, HHS dips a toe into drug importation stream

It came as something of a surprise when Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced that the administration was exploring the importation of prescription drugs to fight high domestic prices.

1 Aug 2018

Déjà voodoo: Pharma’s promises to curb drug prices have been heard before

Prescription drug prices were soaring. Angry policymakers swore they'd take action. Pharma giant Merck responded by promising to address the problem voluntarily, vowing to keep price increases under the overall rate of inflation.

25 Jul 2018

Recovery United to launch pilot intervention program for patients who experienced opioid overdose

Today, Recovery United, Inc. announced the launch of a pilot intervention program at three Boise-area hospitals that will connect patients who have experienced an opioid overdose to certified peer recovery coaches

20 Jul 2018

AbbVie submits supplemental NDA to FDA for venetoclax to treat acute myeloid leukemia

AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, today announced it submitted a supplemental New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for venetoclax in combination with a hypomethylating agent or in combination with low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

20 Jul 2018

Study finds major discrepancies in prescription drug labeling pregnancy information across four countries

A study comparing the evidence and recommendation levels of pregnancy information in new prescription drug labeling found significant discrepancies in labeling information among the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Korea.

17 Jul 2018

Staggering prices slow insurers’ coverage of CAR-T cancer therapy

Patients whose blood cancers have failed to respond to repeated rounds of chemotherapy may be candidates for a new type of gene therapy that could send their cancers into remission for years.

17 Jul 2018

Retooled vaccine raises hopes as a lower-cost treatment for Type 1 diabetes

For Hodalis Gaytan, 20, living with Type 1 diabetes means depending on an assortment of expensive medicines and devices to stay healthy. Test strips. Needles. A glucose meter. Insulin.

13 Jul 2018

High opioid doses, concurrent sedative use are key factors for overdose risk in Medicaid recipients

Among Medicaid recipients taking prescription opioids, high opioid doses and concurrent treatment with benzodiazepine sedatives are among the key, potentially modifiable risk factors for fatal overdose, reports a study in the August issue of Medical Care.

13 Jul 2018

Can insurers use genetic testing results? A reader wants to know

This week, I answer questions from readers concerned about health insurance roadblocks in the face of a serious illness or medical crisis.

10 Jul 2018

State prisons fail to offer cure to 144,000 inmates with deadly hepatitis C

State prisons across the U.S. are failing to treat at least 144,000 inmates who have hepatitis C, a curable but potentially fatal liver disease, according to a recent survey and subsequent interviews of state corrections departments.

9 Jul 2018

Ocular Therapeutix resubmits NDA for DEXTENZA

Ocular Therapeutix™, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye, has announced the resubmission of the Company's New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its lead product candidate DEXTENZA™ 0.4mg, for the treatment of ocular pain following ophthalmic surgery.

30 Jun 2018

Researchers focus on delivery of insulin in pill form

One mother vividly remembers her three-and-a-half-year-old son's pleas when he received insulin injections several times each day. "He would beg and plead, 'Don't do it Momma!'" she recalls.

29 Jun 2018

Top policy expert’s ties to giant drugmaker often go unstated

When Dr. Mark McClellan sat for an in-depth 30-minute question-and-answer session at an April health policy forum, the audience was filled with top researchers, advocates and Capitol Hill staffers eager to hear what insight the former head of the Food and Drug Administration would dispense.

29 Jun 2018

Merck announces FDA acceptance of supplemental Biologics License Application for KEYTRUDA

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for standard review a new supplemental Biologics License Application for KEYTRUDA, Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with resected, high-risk stage III melanoma and granted a Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or target action, date of February 16, 2019.

25 Jun 2018

Study highlights inadequate effort of health care insurers to combat opioid epidemic

Health care insurers including Medicare, Medicaid and major private insurers have not done enough to combat the opioid epidemic, suggests a study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

22 Jun 2018

Religious involvement has no significant effect on misuse of prescription opioids, study finds

Does going to church help people avoid struggles with opioid abuse? New research from Florida State University says no.

20 Jun 2018

Administration eases way for small businesses to buy insurance in bulk

Small employers will more easily be able to band together to buy health insurance under rules issued Tuesday by the Trump administration, but the change could raise premiums for plans sold through the Affordable Care Act's online marketplaces, analysts say.

19 Jun 2018

Humana and Walgreens to provide easier access to primary care and other services for seniors

Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. and Walgreens, a provider of trusted pharmacy services and care in communities since 1901, are teaming up to provide easier access to primary care and other services for seniors, as part of the companies' ongoing and shared commitment to the health and well-being of the Kansas City community.