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EMA CHMP may issue an opinion on CTI's Pixuvri MAA in mid-Feb.

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. ("CTI") announced today that, following discussions with the European Medicines Agency's ("EMA") Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP"), the CHMP may issue an opinion on CTI's Marketing Authorization Application ("MAA") for Pixuvri in mid-February.

20 Jan 2012

Drug benefit managers unveil ads to explain what they do

The trade group for pharmaceutical benefit managers announced an advertising campaign about PBMs, while Congress and federal regulators weigh a $29 billion merger between Express Scripts and Medco.

19 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Health care is a civil right; A Medicare strategy based on Lenin

Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is one of progress toward a better life for every American, including equal opportunity in voting, housing, education, and employment. Reflecting on his legacy also means recognizing the steps we must take to address the inequalities that persist. Many of these involve health care. Poor and minority Americans suffer from more preventable diseases on average, lower-quality care, fewer treatment options, and less health insurance coverage.

18 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 13, 2012

"The much celebrated, and much maligned, public option may have died in Congress, but it's alive and well in California. Unique in the nation for having public health insurance plans that are run by counties, California has plans that stretch from San Francisco to the Mexican border and cover 2.5 million residents"

13 Jan 2012

Researchers publish first detailed figures that show risk of Rasilez and ACE inhibitors or ARBs

Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital have published the first detailed figures showing the risk of using the prescription drug Rasilez in combination with certain other blood pressure-lowering medications.

13 Jan 2012

Tips to optimize your health care budget this year

You can help lower your out-of-pocket health care costs by understanding what your health plan covers, what it does not cover and how to make the most of every dollar spent on health care and health insurance.

13 Jan 2012

2010 health spending grew slowly

This slowing of health spending brought the rate of growth in line with that of the U.S. economy. The Obama administration pointed to the new figures as evidence that the health law isn't making health care more expensive.

11 Jan 2012

Capsules: Millions find Walgreens no longer in their prescription networks

Now on KHN's blog, KQED's Sarah Varney, reporting as part of a partnership with Kaiser Health News, NPR and KQED, filed a story about how millions of consumers are realizing the Walgreens is no longer part of their prescription drug network.

10 Jan 2012

Amylin outlines key strategic priorities for 2012

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today outlined its key strategic priorities for 2012, with a strong focus on driving the global commercial value of its diabetes franchise.

10 Jan 2012

Americans cutting costs by skipping prescription drugs

A Consumer Reports survey revealed that more Americans are ignoring their doctor’s advice and skipping prescription drugs or medical procedures to save money in 2011 than a year earlier.

8 Jan 2012

RetireSafe calls upon Express Scripts PBM to come to an agreement with Walgreens

RetireSafe, a 400,000-supporter strong grassroots organization that advocates and educates on behalf of America's seniors on issues regarding Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being, today urged Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) to return to the negotiating table, and come to an agreement with Walgreens.

7 Jan 2012

Analysis and examination: Detailing the records, evolution of GOP presidential primary candidates

Media outlets report on what Rick Santorum did after he left the Senate and what he would have on his to-do list if elected, the continuing "risks" Mitt Romney faces from the left and the right, and on an ethics group that is directing a challenge at Newt Gingrich.

7 Jan 2012

Candidates jockey for position, messages in post-Iowa landscape

News outlets report on how GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is being targeted by Republican rivals and the Obama campaign. Meanwhile, Michele Bachmann exits the primary race, and Rick Santorum, fresh from his Iowa caucus finish, draws headlines.

6 Jan 2012

Cost paid for statins 400% higher in the U.S. than U.K.

In the United States, the cost paid for statins (drugs to lower cholesterol) in people under the age of 65 who have private insurance is approximately 400 percent higher than comparable costs paid by the government in the United Kingdom.

6 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 5, 2012

Today's headlines include a report that health law opponents want to add plaintiffs to their lawsuit as well as dispatches from the GOP primary election compaign trail.

5 Jan 2012

Arena, Eisai collaborate in response to FDA's lorcaserin Complete Response Letter

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eisai Inc. announced today that Arena has submitted its response to the Complete Response Letter (CRL) issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following review of the lorcaserin New Drug Application (NDA).

4 Jan 2012

State roundup: Texas health assistance program closing; Florida's dangerous assisted living facilities

A reduction in prescription drug coverage under last year's state budget cuts means 292,000 New Yorkers will now be paying more at the pharmacy.

4 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 3, 2012

In today's headlines, reports that New York seniors are experiencing reduced prescription coverage and more California patients are being added to the health insurance rolls.

3 Jan 2012

FDA notes shortage of ADHD medicines

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are in such short supply that hundreds of patients complain daily to the agency that they are unable to find a pharmacy with enough pills to fill their prescriptions.

2 Jan 2012

Similar sounding drug names should come with warnings

There have been mix ups and medication errors with similar sounding names of drugs - eye drops called Durezol and salicylic acid-containing wart remedy Duresal for example.

1 Jan 2012