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Express Scripts report shows that new exchange plan enrollees spent less on medications in Q1 2015

New exchange plan enrollees spent less on medications in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same time a year ago, according to the third edition of the Express Scripts Exchange Pulse report, released today.

1 Jul 2015

New analysis looks at costly impact of new Hepatitis C treatments in California

A new analysis and infographic released today estimate California's exposure to high-priced Hepatitis C medications could range from hundreds of millions of dollars, even if only 5 percent of Californians infected with Hepatitis C receive treatment through state programs.

30 Jun 2015

Adding tamper resistant properties to medications can help curb prescription drug abuse

Health Canada today published a Notice of Pre-Consultation in Canada Gazette, Part I, seeking stakeholder feedback on draft Tamper-Resistant Properties of Drugs Regulations.

27 Jun 2015

Health Canada informs Canadians that eight unauthorized health products were seized from Better Bodies Supplements

Health Canada is informing Canadians that eight unauthorized health products (listed in the table below) were seized from Better Bodies Supplements, 118 Main Street North, in Airdrie, Alta.

27 Jun 2015

New research could help reverse side effects of acetaminophen overdose

New research could help reverse deadly side effects caused by excessive doses of the drug acetaminophen, the major ingredient in Tylenol and many other over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

23 Jun 2015

Medicare prescription drug benefit did not save any money overall, say researchers

For years, the Medicare prescription drug benefit Part D has been credited with positively impacting national trends in health outcomes and medical services. But a recent study led by Northeastern associate professor Becky Briesacher challenges that assumption and suggests that the U.S. Congressional Budget Office's adopted a new costing method based on assumed cost-savings may be "premature."

17 Jun 2015

Amgen to discuss data supporting Repatha BLA for high cholesterol treatment with FDA EMDAC

Amgen today announced that the Company will discuss the data supporting the Repatha (evolocumab) Biologics License Application (BLA) for the treatment of high cholesterol with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC).

10 Jun 2015

Kaiser Permanente study identifies barriers to prescribing potentially life-saving medication

A variety of factors including questions about risk and reluctance to offend patients limits clinician willingness to prescribe a potentially life-saving medication that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose, according to a Kaiser Permanente Colorado study published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

10 Jun 2015

FDA accepts Tris Pharma's Dyanavel XR NDA for review

Tris Pharma, Inc. announced that U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review its New Drug Application ("NDA") for Dyanavel XR (amphetamine) CII, an Extended-Release Oral Suspension.

21 May 2015

MedVantx launches MedStart Formulary Connect program for health systems and ACOs

MedVantx, Inc., a leading provider of point-of-care medication access, adherence and direct-to-patient consumer engagement programs, today announced the Company's MedStart Formulary Connect program. This innovative program equips leading health systems and ACOs with new formulary management tools that are designed to build greater alignment and advance the traditional medication formulary program upstream in the value chain to the point of care.

19 May 2015

Twin Cities Orthopedics joins Deterra partnership program to reduce prescription drug abuse and misuse

Verde Technologies announced that Golden Valley-based Twin Cities Orthopedics, the largest orthopedic group in Minnesota, has become its most recent partner in the fight against prescription drug abuse and misuse.

19 May 2015

APS honors recipients of Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Awards

The American Pain Society today honored the recipients of its annual Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Awards recognizing the nation's outstanding pain care centers. Five multidisciplinary pain programs were recognized.

15 May 2015

APS announces recipients of prestigious achievement awards during annual scientific meeting

The American Pain Society (APS), www.americanpainsociety.org, today announced the recipients of its prestigious achievement awards during the organization's annual scientific meeting.

14 May 2015

PCMA releases new ad campaign to highlight lower-cost preferred pharmacy plans in Medicare

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association today released a new ad campaign – "We Love our Preferred Pharmacy Plan" – highlighting the popularity and convenience of lower cost preferred pharmacy plans in Medicare.

12 May 2015

New study shows 'alarming rise' in costs of MS drugs over last 20 years

A new study shows an "alarming rise" over the last 20 years in the costs of drugs used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis or reduce the frequency of attacks, according to a study led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University.

25 Apr 2015

Acacia Pharma begins APD421 Phase 3 study in combination with standard anti-emetics for PONV

Acacia Pharma Ltd, the supportive care company developing products for US and international markets, announces the initiation of a Phase 3 study investigating APD421 in combination with standard anti-emetics, in the prevention of post-operative nausea & vomiting (PONV) in high-risk patients. PONV remains a clinically significant problem in patients undergoing surgery, despite the availability of a range of anti-emetic medications.

21 Apr 2015

Oxycodone-related deaths drop 25% after implementation of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Oxycodone-related deaths dropped 25 percent after Florida implemented its Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in late 2011 as part of its response to the state's prescription drug abuse epidemic, according to a team of UF Health researchers. The drop in fatalities could stem from the number of health care providers who used the program's database to monitor controlled substance prescriptions.

16 Apr 2015

Cantab Connect CTIS-Abuse Liability product exceeds $1.5m sales in first 9 months

Cambridge Cognition Holdings plc,the developer of cognitive assessment software, announces that sales of Cantab Connect CTIS-Abuse Liability have exceeded £1m in its first 9 months from launch.

15 Apr 2015

Catamaran acquires Healthcare Solutions for $405 million

Catamaran Corporation, a leading provider of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services and technology solutions, announced today the completion, effective as of April 8, 2015, of its previously disclosed acquisition of Healthcare Solutions, for a purchase price of $405 million in cash, subject to certain customary post-closing adjustments. The purchase price was funded from Catamaran's existing cash balance.

9 Apr 2015

Amgen receives FDA priority review designation for Kyprolis to treat relapsed multiple myeloma

Amgen today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) of Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) for Injection for the treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

30 Mar 2015