Prescription Drug News and Research

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St. Michael Hospital receives $4.7M grant to conduct policy-driven prescription drug research

An Ontario-wide research network based at St. Michael's Hospital has received a three-year, $4.7 million grant from the province of Ontario to conduct policy-driven prescription drug research.

6 Jul 2013

IG report: $543 million in Medicare overpayments remain uncollected

USA Today reports that the inspector general's report noted that one of the factors keeping the government from recouping these funds was problems with a new accounting system. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports that these types of overpayments are some of the most difficult to collect.

3 Jul 2013

New resource guide to tackle prescription drug abuse among youth

To help tackle the serious problem of youth prescription drug abuse, high school teachers will have free access to a new resource guide, Rx for Understanding: Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse.

28 Jun 2013

White House takes aim at Latinos, young people with health law outreach efforts

Both populations are key to the success of new online health insurance marketplaces, which will begin enrolling people on Oct. 1 for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.

27 Jun 2013

Sprout Pharmaceuticals resubmits flibanserin NDA for treating HSDD in pre-menopausal women

Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the Raleigh-based pharmaceutical company developing flibanserin, a treatment being evaluated for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in pre-menopausal women, confirmed today that the company has resubmitted the New Drug Application for flibanserin earlier this year and expects US Food and Drug Agency action before the end of 2013.

27 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 26, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the latest developments in the health care marketplace.

26 Jun 2013

Supreme Court sides with generic drug makers

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that generic drugmakers cannot be sued under state law for adverse reactions to their products, a decision that consumer advocates called a blow to patient safety. In a 5-4 vote, the court ruled for Mutual Pharmaceutical Co, owned by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, overturning a multimillion-dollar jury award to a badly injured patient in New Hampshire who alleged a generic drug she had taken was unsafe based on its chemical design (Hurley and Berkrot, 6/24).

26 Jun 2013

HHS inspector general details prescription-writing abuses

The new report finds that health providers such as massage therapists, chiropractors and athletic trainers often wrote prescriptions -- and Medicare paid for them.

25 Jun 2013

Research roundup: Examining the health of future Medicaid patients; Rural trauma care issues; Lessons from Medicare Part D

Under the federal health law, states have the option of expanding Medicaid coverage to most-low income populations, potentially adding millions of new enrollees. Researchers analyzed 2007-2010 survey data from a study population of more than 1,000 people, and found that, compared to adults already enrolled in state Medicaid programs, low-income uninsured adults who stand to gain from Medicaid expansion "will differ significantly from current Medicaid enrollees," the authors write.

25 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 21, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the rebates some insurers will provide to consumers as a result of a health law provision.

21 Jun 2013

Nearly 70% of Americans use at least one prescription drug, say researchers

Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and more than half take two, Mayo Clinic researchers say. Antibiotics, antidepressants and painkilling opioids are most commonly prescribed, their study found. Twenty percent of patients are on five or more prescription medications, according to the findings, published online in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

20 Jun 2013

FDA accepts DURECT's New Drug Application for POSIDUR

DURECT Corporation today announced that the New Drug Application for the investigational product POSIDUR (SABER-Bupivacaine) has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicating that the application is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review.

20 Jun 2013

Report: Improper prescription drug use drives up cost of care

Doctors and hospitals could save the U.S. $213 billion annually if they used prescription drugs more wisely, according to IMS health.

20 Jun 2013

Santarus, Pharming Group announce FDA acceptance of RUCONEST BLA

Santarus, Inc. and Pharming Group NV today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing the Biologics License Application for the investigational drug RUCONEST (recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor) 50 IU/kg.

18 Jun 2013

NeuroVive signs agreement with Isomerase Therapeutics to develop and commercialize cyclophilin-inhibiting molecules

NeuroVive Pharmaceutical AB (publ) (STO:NVP), a leading mitochondrial medicine company, has signed a collaboration agreement with Isomerase Therapeutics to develop the molecules that were recently acquired from Biotica.

12 Jun 2013

Insider probe over Medicare rate decision hits Congress

News outlets report on developments in the story of alleged insider trading after a Medicare rate decision.

12 Jun 2013

Missed savings opportunities in Medicare program

The Wall Street Journal details a report from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News reports on a study that details missed savings of prescription drug costs.

12 Jun 2013

CLAAD urges FDA to implement Obama administration's policy on safer opioid medications

The Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence joined in signing a Citizen Petition filed today urging the Food and Drug Administration to fully implement the Obama administration's policy supporting a market transition to safer opioid medications.

11 Jun 2013

Novel approach to pain therapy paves way for lower dosage painkillers

For patients managing cancer and other chronic health issues, painkillers such as morphine and Vicodin are often essential for pain relief. The body's natural tendency to develop tolerance to these medications, however, often requires patients to take higher doses - increasing risks of harmful side effects and dependency.

11 Jun 2013