FDA approves Epipen generic
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr.—or epinephrine auto-injectors—for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA will be able to market its generic versions for both adults and children, officials said.
“This approval means patients living with severe allergies who require constant access to life-saving epinephrine should have a lower-cost option, as well as another approved product to help protect against potential drug shortages," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. in a statement. (Announcement)
MU Health considers purchase of two hospitals
University of Missouri Healthcare is in talks to buy two hospitals including one located in Mexico. MU Healthcare is considering the deal with for the hospitals that are part of St. Louis-based SSM Health regarding its SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital-Jefferson City and SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital-Audrain in Mexico.
MU Health officials said they would also take over options of the outpatient, homecare, hospice and medical group locations in the deal is completed. (Columbian Missourian article)
Ways and Means Committee targets physician burden
Those intimately familiar with the healthcare system know that "regulatory burden" has become something of a buzzword. But through the Medicare Red Tape Relief Project, the House Ways and Means Committee has sought to attribute tangible meaning to the term.
On Wednesday, the committee released a report detailing what the initiative uncovered during its first year. In the first of the project’s three stages, more than 300 stakeholders—primarily clinicians and hospital groups—told the committee about the regulatory burdens they face. Quality measure reporting is one issue that came up frequently. (FierceHealthcare article)