Prescription Drug News and Research

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Some benefits from prescription drug DTCA, but significant risks remain

While the debate over prescription drug advertising persists, a new study released online in the American Journal of Public Health offers guidelines for improving drug ads in order to minimize potential harm and maximize benefits. The study reveals that while there are some benefits from prescription drug direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA), there are significant risks that are magnified by the prominence of DTCA.

12 Nov 2009

AARP urges U.S. Senate to pass H.R. 3962 and H.R. 3961

The U.S. House of Representatives' historic vote on health care reform was a decisive step to fix our broken health care system - but for millions of Americans struggling with soaring health care costs the Senate must take the next step, and pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961). Over 3 million Illinoisans stand to particularly benefit from key provisions in the bill.

12 Nov 2009

Athletes on performance-enhancing substances face increase risk of alcohol and drug related problems

College athletes who use performance-enhancing substances may be at heightened risk of misusing alcohol and using recreational drugs as well, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

11 Nov 2009

Lawsuit against California Department of Health Care Services

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed a federal lawsuit against David Maxwell-Jolly, Director of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) seeking an injunction to prevent implementation of a new state law singling out nonprofit safety net providers—including AHF—forcing drastic Medi-Cal (Medicaid) reimbursements cuts for drugs purchased by AHF clinics and other safety net providers while favoring giant national for-profit pharmacy chains including Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens and others.

10 Nov 2009

Evaluation of DX-88 to resolve symptoms of acute HAE attacks to be presented

An analysis demonstrating the ability of DX-88 (ecallantide) to resolve symptoms of acute hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in all anatomic locations and to sustain effect will be presented in an oral presentation this week at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) 2009 Annual Meeting in Miami Beach.

9 Nov 2009

Betterthanmedicare.com helps plug the "donut hole", offers discounts on drugs

With his proposed health care reform plan, President Barack Obama has set his sights on cutting name-brand prescription drug costs by 50 percent for Medicare patients who fall into the "Part D" coverage gap, universally known as the "donut hole." Plan advocates rave about the potential cost-cutting and feel it's a promising start to health care reform.

7 Nov 2009

FDA extends review date of New Drug Application for GSK1838262/XP13512

GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort, Inc. (Nasdaq: XNPT) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the original Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for GSK1838262/XP13512 (gabapentin enacarbil) to February 9, 2010. The original PDUFA date for this NDA review was November 9, 2009.

7 Nov 2009

Health policy research roundup

Health Affairs: Enrollment Is Driving Medicaid Costs—But Two Targets Can Yield Savings - "Although Medicaid spending has grown faster than the rate of increase in national health spending, much of this is explained by increased enrollment," write the authors of this paper, who present data showing that "[p]er enrollee, Medicaid spending actually compares favorably to increases in medical care prices and gross domestic product."

7 Nov 2009

AARP urge Idaho's U.S. Representatives to support health care reform legislation

As the debate over health care reform reaches a fevered pitch and the House readies to vote on critical health care reform legislation in the coming days - AARP is calling on Idaho's U.S. Representatives to support the bill. The AARP-backed Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which will close the Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole" and tackle soaring insurance premiums, serves to help hundreds of thousands of Idahoans.

6 Nov 2009

Medtipster announces new promotion to help Michigan residents save on their prescription costs

Medtipster, the company behind the new online healthcare search engine and price comparator Medtipster.com, is pleased to announce a new promotion to help Michigan residents save on their prescription costs.

6 Nov 2009

Pelosi says House will pass health bill; measure gains AARP, AMA backing

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says she will have enough votes to pass Democratic health care legislation by Saturday. "The statement, however, is a tacit acknowledgement that she doesn't have them yet," The Hill reports.

6 Nov 2009

Prescription drug abuse among teens: NCPIE, SAMHSA launches campaign

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and representatives from 15 nationally recognized prevention, health professional and child advocacy organizations, are launching Maximizing Your Role as a Teen Influencer: What You Can Do to Help Prevent Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

6 Nov 2009

Consumers in search of saving money should reconsider prescription drug choices

Americans are increasingly scrutinizing their drug choices to find ones that work but don't break the bank. The Associated Press reports: "Last year pharmaceutical companies spent more than $4 billion urging patients like you to 'ask your doctor' about their drugs. But if you want a prescription that won't empty your wallet, while still keeping you well, you might start asking your doctor about drugs you don't see on TV.

5 Nov 2009

MFA: Fewer Medicare Advantage plans to be offered for 2010

A new report from Mark Farrah Associates (MFA), found 18% fewer Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will be offered for 2010 as the number of unique plans offered nationwide declined from 3,700 to 3,025.

5 Nov 2009

Shire receives FDA Priority Review for velaglucerase alfa NDA

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review for the New Drug Application (NDA) for velaglucerase alfa, the company's enzyme replacement therapy in development for the treatment of Type 1 Gaucher disease.

4 Nov 2009

CMS releases WellCare Health Plans from the previously disclosed sanctions

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released the Company from the previously disclosed sanctions, except as noted below. The Company will resume marketing its Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans over the coming days.

4 Nov 2009

WellCare Health Plans announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. today reported results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. As determined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company reported net income of $28.7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2009, compared with a net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2008.

4 Nov 2009

Acorda Therapeutics' financial results for the third quarter of 2009 and update on Fampridine-SR

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2009.

3 Nov 2009

Prasco Laboratories to provide distribution services for generic versions of Allegra-D and Drisdol

Prasco Laboratories announced today that it has entered into agreements with Winthrop U.S., a business of sanofi-aventis U.S., to provide sales support and distribution services to Winthrop U.S. for authorized generic versions of Allegra-D® 12 Hour (fexofenadine HCl 60 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg) extended-release tablets and Drisdol® (ergocalciferol) capsules in the United States under the Winthrop label.

3 Nov 2009