July 1, 2010
By:Elaine Zablocki
Most allergies are due to a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposure. The first step in coping with allergies is to reduce exposure to triggers.
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October 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
Does it make sense to treat children for conditions, such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and hypertension, with drugs that have only been approved for adults? If the potential benefit to the child is outweighed by the risk of harm or adverse events, then it makes sense, experts say.
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September 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
Will generic drugs, patent expirations, safety issues and a dry pipeline for high-incident diseases make room for a new drug paradigm?
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August 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
A recent online survey from Serono Injectables Digest, which includes data from 83 health plans, looked at the challenges and strategies of managing specialty pharmacy, provider reimbursement and cost sharing.
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July 1, 2008
By:Elaine Zablocki
Statin medications lower cholesterol levels and have an anti-inflammatory effect. They should be used in combination with lifestyle changes to reduce heart disease risk.
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May 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
How much attention is being paid to abuse of prescription drugs? One group, pharmacy benefit managers, are beginning to take a closer look by creating programs to identify members who may be abusing prescription drugs.
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April 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
Using drugs for conditions other than what's on the label is not new, but it may receive more encouragement if draft guidance from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is approved. Allowing more off-label use might also increase payers' pharmacy costs.
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March 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
MEDICATION THERAPY Management (MTM) services introduced in 2006 under Medicare Part D have prompted pharmacists to adopt expanded roles in the commercial setting, such as performing a comprehensive medication review and monitoring a patient's response to therapy. One of the main caveats, however, is the lack of standardized reimbursement for pharmacists' services.
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February 1, 2008
By:Mari Edlin
Studies show that patients with behavioral health conditions are less apt to be compliant with medications than other patients, but many of their reasons for non-compliance are equally applicable to all drugs.
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