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Shire reports total revenues of $3,008 million for 2009

Shire plc the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces results for the year to December 31, 2009.

22 Feb 2010

During open enrollment Medicare recipients may make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage

Medicare recipients may still make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage during open enrollment period, which runs Jan. 1 to March 31.

22 Feb 2010

Pelosi releases statement on HHS Secretary's decision to increase aid to states for Medicare Part D payment

I applaud the Administration's decision, which will mean much-needed relief to states facing severe budget constraints in light of the tough economic climate. The California Congressional delegation's diligence in raising this issue with HHS has paid dividends for California, which will be rewarded with an additional $680 million, all due to the FMAP increase included in the Recovery Act that we passed a year ago.

20 Feb 2010

Missing prescription drugs: Cardinal Health Pharmacy Services to pay $1M penalty

U.S. Attorney Thomas Scott Woodward announced today that Cardinal Health Pharmacy Services, LLC, a company engaged in providing hospital pharmacy management services, has agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $1 million for failing to account for large amounts of missing prescription drugs.

20 Feb 2010

Amgen's Prolia Complete Response submission: FDA classifies and sets PDUFA date

Amgen Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has evaluated the content of the Company's Complete Response submission for Prolia™ (denosumab) in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and classified it as a Class 2 resubmission. With the Class 2 designation, the FDA set a corresponding Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of July 25, 2010.

20 Feb 2010

Medicare Advantage premiums jump 14 percent

The Associated Press: "Millions of seniors who signed up for popular private health plans through Medicare are facing sharp premium increases this year — another sign that spiraling costs are a problem even for those with solid insurance. A study to be released Friday ... found that premiums for Medicare Advantage plans offering medical and prescription drug coverage jumped 14.2 percent on average in 2010, after an increase of only 5.2 percent the previous year. Some 8.5 million elderly and disabled Americans are in the plans, which provide more comprehensive coverage than traditional Medicare."

19 Feb 2010

Cancer patients frequently face barriers to accessing oral drugs: Study

A comprehensive study of oral oncolytic (anti-cancer) drug treatments revealed that while their use is increasingly common, cancer patients frequently face barriers to accessing oral drugs compared to those delivered intravenously in oncology practice settings.

19 Feb 2010

AARP opposes Idaho Health Freedom Act

In a move that could have dire effects on health care in Idaho, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted yesterday to bring the Idaho Health Care Freedom Act (House Bill 391) one step closer to becoming law

19 Feb 2010

Medicare coverage for prescription drugs: HHS to apply ARRA increased FMAP to clawback payments

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $4.3 billion in financial relief to states by reducing the amount they will have to pay the federal government to offset the cost of Medicare coverage for prescription drugs for state residents eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

19 Feb 2010

Report examines how medical technology changes state of health care

Federal researchers Wednesday released a report that examines how medical technology is changing the state of health care.

19 Feb 2010

FDA accepts filing of Jazz Pharmaceuticals' NDA for sodium oxybate

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing the New Drug Application (NDA) for JZP-6 (sodium oxybate) for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

19 Feb 2010

WellCare Health Plans reports net income of $39.9M for 2009

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. today reported results for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. As determined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the year 2009, compared with a net loss of $36.8 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the year 2008.

18 Feb 2010

Patient-centered medical home concept to benefit pharmaceutical industry

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that the pharmaceutical industry stands to gain from the patient-centered medical home concept that continues to gain traction across the country. According to the recent New England Health Plan Analysis, medical home projects seek to maintain costs and improve health through better treatment compliance, including prescription drug regimens.

18 Feb 2010

Medication therapy management programs for Aetna Medicare members

Aetna today announced that members who enroll in its 2010 Medicare plans will have access to enhanced services called medication therapy management (MTM) aimed at helping them safely and effectively take medications prescribed by their physician. MTM, which will be delivered by Mirixa Corporation, brings together pharmacists, patients, physicians and other health care professionals to help patients with their medications.

18 Feb 2010

Walgreen acquires Duane Reade for total enterprise value of $1.075 billion

Walgreen Co. and New York-based drugstore chain Duane Reade Holdings, Inc. today announced a definitive agreement under which Walgreens will acquire Duane Reade from affiliates of Oak Hill Capital Partners in a cash transaction for a total enterprise value of $1.075 billion, which includes the assumption of debt.

17 Feb 2010

Nebraska laws to protect patients and healthcare providers against unfair prescription insurance practices

Dozens of patients and state and national advocacy and healthcare groups, including Nebraska Medical Association and Nebraska Nurses Association, today urged passage of two precedent-setting consumer protection healthcare bills during a hearing at the Nebraska State Capitol. These laws would be the first in the nation to protect patients and healthcare providers against unfair prescription insurance practices.

17 Feb 2010

Covidien's Exalgo NDA: FDA sets new PDUFA action date

Covidien today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set a new action date of March 1, 2010, under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) for the review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for Exalgo™ (hydromorphone HCl) Extended-Release Tablets, (CII).

17 Feb 2010

AZ&Me Prescription Savings programs help 13% more patients in 2009

AstraZeneca announced today that it provided $769.6 million in savings to 507,475 patients in the United States last year through its AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings programs.

17 Feb 2010

Study shows value-based plans can improve adherence for diabetes medicines

A study by CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), published this week in the American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits, finds that insurance benefit designs that reduce the cost of medications for plan participants result in patients being more likely to start and stay on their medication therapy.

17 Feb 2010

FDA extends CombinatoRx' Exalgo tablets NDA PDUFA review date

CombinatoRx, Incorporated today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for review of the Exalgo™ (hydromorphone HCl) extended-release tablets New Drug Application (NDA) from Monday, February 22, 2010 to Monday, March 1, 2010 due to federal government closings.

16 Feb 2010