prescription drugs news from FierceHealthcare
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California uses web-based tool to track suspicious drug use
The state of California has rolled out a new web-based tool that tracks the use of controlled substances, including addictive painkillers such as Oxycontin and Valium. The idea is to help nurses,... Read more...
Study: Some physicians uninformed about approved uses of drugs
It's hard enough making sure the pharmaceutical companies don't find tricky ways to pitch physicians on off-label uses of their drugs. Apparently, that's not the only problem out there with off-label... Read more...
CT may require health plans to offer autism coverage
Right now, few states require that health plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism, which typically leaves parents with huge financial burdens. In Connecticut, however, the state is close to... Read more...
Medicare may test 'value-based' coverage design
Typically, when an employer or health plan wants to lower their healthcare costs, they raise co-pays and deductibles, usually without much of an eye to what impact that has on vulnerable patients'... Read more...
Study: Recession could pump up market for OTC drugs
While most healthcare industry leaders have already noticed that consumers are cutting back on prescription drugs to save money, fewer have remarked on another drug-related phenomenon. Apparently,... Read more...
Nursing homes forced to address chronic pain management
In theory, pain management experts say, the best way to manage an episode is to anticipate and treat pain before it becomes too intense. Until recently, however, nursing homes haven't been... Read more...
FL nurse practitioners fight for right to prescribe controlled substances
Right now, Florida is one of only a handful of states that don't allow nurse practitioners to write prescriptions for controlled substances. Though legislators have filed a bill that would permit... Read more...
Rite Aid pays $5M to resolve Controlled Substances Act violations
Chain store giant Rite Aid Corp. and nine of its subsidiaries in eight states have agreed to pay $5 million to settle charges that the company violated provisions of the federal Controlled Substances... Read more...
Walgreen plans to sell bundled healthcare package to employers
Here's an interesting wrinkle in the chain drugstores' race to sell outpatient services (such as retail clinics and on-site clinics for employers). Walgreen Co. has announced plans to begin marketing... Read more...
Study: Seniors at risk due to OTC drugs, supplements
When physicians prescribe a drug, they usually ask the patient what drugs they're already taking. However, they don't always end up finding out what kind of over-the-counter drugs or supplements... Read more...
