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State and federal efforts to monitor drug prescriptions and payments face challenges

The Center For Public Integrity reports on the challenges Medicare faces in trying to ensure that prescription drugs paid for by its contracting health plans are actually prescribed by doctors. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald chronicles the latest chapter in the ongoing story about the state's pill mills.

10 Feb 2011

US District Court rules in favor of Watson in generic Mucinex patent infringement suit

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida has ruled that Watson's generic versions of Mucinex®, Mucinex® D and Mucinex® DM (Guaifenesin, Dextromethorphan HBr/ Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephedrine/Guaifenesin) Extended-Release products, do not infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,372,252.

10 Feb 2011

State progress on health law implementation follows varying paths; Meanwhile, ACOs, waiver processes grab headlines

Media outlets report on a variety of implementation issues, including anti-trust concerns related to accountable care organizations as well as questions about the reform waiver process and a House committee chairman's efforts to reverse Medicare advantage cuts.

10 Feb 2011

BD and UCLB enter agreement for development of new diagnostics for ovarian, breast cancer

UCL Business (UCLB), a wholly owned subsidiary of University College London (UCL), and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, announced today an agreement aimed at improving the early detection of ovarian and breast cancers to ultimately enable earlier and more effective treatment.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 10 Feb 2011

New low-cost Medicare Supplement insurance policy is now available for Georgia seniors

A new low-cost Medicare Supplement insurance policy is now approved for sale to seniors in Georgia. The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commission has approved a very low-cost Medicare Supplement insurance plan for seniors and Georgia is among the first states in the nation to allow this supplemental insurance plan to be offered to its citizens.

10 Feb 2011

Opinions: Polio vaccines; Alternatives to DDT, insecticides; Food price volatility; Global poverty; Foreign aid for vaccines

"No one denies" that the oral polio vaccine "has considerable merits. It's cheap to make. It's easy to administer; you don't need a trained nurse with a clean syringe [like the inactive vaccine needs], just a volunteer with a dropper. And it gives excellent immunity. ... But there are problems with the method," Wendy Orent, author of the book Plague: The Mysterious Past and Terrifying Future of the World's Most Dangerous Disease, writes in a Los Angeles Times opinion piece.

10 Feb 2011

Teva reports positive results from QNAZE Phase III perennial allergic rhinitis trial

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced results from a Phase III study of QNAZE™ (beclomethasone dipropionate [BDP]) HFA, its nasal aerosol corticosteroid in development for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).

10 Feb 2011

Virtues of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act a 'mixed bag' for older Americans

Although the effects of the controversial health care reform act will be somewhat muted for many older Americans, it will inevitably have enough of an impact that seniors will discover that there is plenty to like and dislike about the law, a University of Illinois expert on elder law cautions in published research.

9 Feb 2011

Steep reductions in co-pays may not motivate seniors to seek mental health care: Study

Despite the intent of recent mental health "parity" legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, even steep reductions in co-pays for outpatient mental health care will not motivate more seniors in managed care plans to seek that care, according to a new study by Brown University researchers.

9 Feb 2011

ONC announces additional funds to help CAHs for health IT adoption

Dr. David Blumenthal, MD, MPP, national coordinator for health information technology in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology today announced an additional $12 million in new technical support assistance to help critical access hospitals and rural hospitals adopt and become meaningful users of certified health information technology.

9 Feb 2011

Chief medical officer offers tips to women for better heart health

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, most people's thoughts turn to matters of the heart. Although it's great fun to play Cupid this time of year, February is also American Heart Month — an important time for women in particular to understand their health risks.

9 Feb 2011

HHS Medicaid savings agenda must prevail despite opposition

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should continue encouraging state Medicaid programs to explore more affordable pharmacy solutions despite opposition from the independent drugstore lobby, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

9 Feb 2011

Updating approach to pharmacy benefits will help Florida Medicaid save $462 million

"Governor Scott is taking important steps to reduce wasteful spending in Medicaid, which is a big problem when it comes to pharmacy benefits. Because of its old-school 'fee-for-service' approach, Florida Medicaid pays drugstores much more than either Medicare or the commercial market pays them. Over the next decade, Florida could save $462 million - without cutting benefits, eligibility or payments to doctor and hospitals - simply by updating its approach to pharmacy benefits."

9 Feb 2011

Battle lines clear as House Republicans hold two hearings this week on abortion legislation

For the GOP, the issue requires a delicate balance between its conservative base and independent voters while two junior Democrats take hardline positions against the Republican plans.

9 Feb 2011

Health care reform study offers comprehensive review of new federal law impact on Florida

A new report released today by the Collins Center for Public Policy looks beyond the pitched battles over health care reform and instead offers a comprehensive review of the new federal law and its potential impact on Florida.

8 Feb 2011

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Elan Corporation, plc today reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2010 financial results and provided financial guidance for 2011.

8 Feb 2011

Teva fourth quarter net sales increase 16% to record $4.4 billion

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today reported results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

8 Feb 2011

U.S. News Media Group releases 2011 Best Nursing Homes online rankings

U.S. News Media Group has released the 2011 Best Nursing Homes rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/nursinghomes. The list highlights facilities across the nation providing high-quality care and is a worthwhile tool for millions of elderly Americans and their families in search of a nursing home.

8 Feb 2011

Anthem Blue Cross reminds seniors in Maine to get vaccinated against annual flu, pneumonia

While the seasonal flu can be very serious for patients of any age, senior citizens are particularly vulnerable. That's why Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is reminding seniors across the state to get their annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

8 Feb 2011

Aetna, Tenet sign new multi-year agreement to access quality health care services

Tenet Healthcare Corporation and Aetna announced today that they have signed a new multi-year agreement.

7 Feb 2011

Medicare News and Research

State and federal efforts to monitor drug prescriptions and payments face challenges

US District Court rules in favor of Watson in generic Mucinex patent infringement suit

State progress on health law implementation follows varying paths; Meanwhile, ACOs, waiver processes grab headlines

BD and UCLB enter agreement for development of new diagnostics for ovarian, breast cancer

New low-cost Medicare Supplement insurance policy is now available for Georgia seniors

Opinions: Polio vaccines; Alternatives to DDT, insecticides; Food price volatility; Global poverty; Foreign aid for vaccines

Teva reports positive results from QNAZE Phase III perennial allergic rhinitis trial

Virtues of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act a 'mixed bag' for older Americans

Steep reductions in co-pays may not motivate seniors to seek mental health care: Study

ONC announces additional funds to help CAHs for health IT adoption

Chief medical officer offers tips to women for better heart health

HHS Medicaid savings agenda must prevail despite opposition

Updating approach to pharmacy benefits will help Florida Medicaid save $462 million

Battle lines clear as House Republicans hold two hearings this week on abortion legislation

Health care reform study offers comprehensive review of new federal law impact on Florida

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Teva fourth quarter net sales increase 16% to record $4.4 billion

U.S. News Media Group releases 2011 Best Nursing Homes online rankings

Anthem Blue Cross reminds seniors in Maine to get vaccinated against annual flu, pneumonia

Aetna, Tenet sign new multi-year agreement to access quality health care services

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