drugs
MDs resisting Aetna colonoscopy anesthesia cuts
New Jersey doctors are up in arms over a plan by Aetna to drop coverage of the anesthesia typically used during colonoscopies. The physicians say that if Aetna doesn't cover the services of... Read more...
Study: Blacks avoid clinical trials
It seems that many black U.S. residents are less likely to participate in clinical studies, possibly due to distrust of physicians and fears that they might be harmed by participation, according to a... Read more...
ALSO NOTED: Health IT not likely to shift much in '08; HHS recommends better health data privacy protections; and much more...
> Despite the volume of political dialog on the subject, it seems unlike that there will be big changes in the U.S. health IT infrastructure this year. Read more...
SPOTLIGHT: Cut co-pays, sell more drugs?
A new pharma-funded study shows that lower co-pays equal higher adherence to drug regimens. The implications is that by spending some money up front on drugs for chronic diseases, companies might... Read more...
Study: Antipsychotics don't manage aggressive outbursts
In a finding that would potentially mount a challenge to, among other treatments, the widespread practice of sedating agitated nursing home patients with antipsychotics, a new study suggests that... Read more...
SPOTLIGHT: Twice as much spent for drug marketing as R&D
If you're in the industry's cross-hairs, this may not surprise you much, but it's still a bit painful to consider. Apparently, the pharmaceutical industry spends twice as much on marketing and... Read more...
ALSO NOTED: Judge blocks Medicaid AMP changes; WA state physicians challenge ownership rules; and much more...
> A judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking HHS from adopting a new method for determining the average manufacturer price for drugs covered by Medicaid. Read more...
ALSO NOTED: ED visits rising among seniors; FL pilot-tests Medicaid EMR; and much more...
> Emergency department visits by seniors are on the rise, especially among African-Americans. Article > Florida is pilot-testing... Read more...
ALSO NOTED: Antibiotics tweak could slow MRSA spread; Air travelers getting flu shots at airport; and much more...
> Some UK-based scientists have found a way to alter the molecular structure of antibiotics in a way which could help slow the spread of MRSA. Read more...
SPOTLIGHT: Top 10 drug warnings and recalls of 2007
Top 10 drug warnings and recalls of 2007This has been a big year for drug warnings and recalls, with hugely-popular drugs like diabetes med Avandia facing harsh criticism and even threats of removal... Read more...
