Have any of your medications changed slightly in appearance? A simple change in a pill's form or appearance is a surprising tactic used by big pharma to delay the release of generic drugs - costing consumers millions! Find out more here. (Source: Consumer Reports, 10/13/15) […]
Time is Running Out for Early Bird Rates!
Early Bird Rates for the 2nd Adverse Event Reporting and Safety Strategies Summit, to be held on December 8-9, 2015, expire on October 30th, 2015. More information on this event and registration available here. (Source: ExL Events) […]
NASP Sets the Record Straight on Specialty Pharmacies
The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) recently responded to articles in the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times in which they felt that specialty pharmacies were mischaracterized. What truly defines a specialty pharmacy? Find out what NASP had to say here. (Source: NASP) […]
PhRMA Takes Aim at Valeant
The strategy of publicly criticizing pharmaceutical companies, albeit non-members, is an unusual one for PhRMA. But it demonstrates the group's interest in playing offense, and not just defense, in the drug price debate. Paid subscription required to access full article here. (Source: Cathy Kelly, […]
If I Offered to Buy Your Children Would We Haggle?
The subject of pharmaceutical pricing can invoke many different emotions including anger, betrayal and confusion, but to many, the subject remains taboo - how does one haggle for the price of a life? Jack Scannell talks pharmaceutical pricing - Four Reasons Drugs are Expensive, and Two of Which are […]
Valeant Shares Plunge with Questionable Specialty Pharmacy Ties
Online investment newsletter, Citron Research recently questioned the relationship between Valeant Pharmaceuticals and specialty pharmacies, specifically those related to Philidor. Read more here. (Source: Joe Barber, FirstWord Pharma, 10/21/15) […]
Valeant Pharmaceuticals in the Pricing Hot Seat
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has recently caught the attention of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for its strategy in which it buys existing drugs and then aggressively hikes their prices. Read more here. (Source: First Report Managed Care, 10/19/15) […]
Elite Hospital Consortium Rates Oncology Drugs on Affordability
A consortium of top U.S. cancer hospitals has developed a new tool to provide patients with guidance about the cost of drugs used in their treatment. Who will have access to this information? Find out here. (Source: Michelle Cortez, Bloomberg Business, 10/13/15) […]
Why are the Same Statistical Errors Appearing Across Neuroscience Journals?
Why are the same statistical errors appearing throughout the most prestigious journals in neuroscience? When it comes to ignoring the difference in differences, are we just dealing with incompetence, or is it something more than that? More here. (Source: Ben Goldacre, the guardian, 9/9/15) […]
5 Principles for Eliminating Racial Disparities
Although the United States has made progress in narrowing the gap in life expectancy between blacks and whites, there is still much work to be done with racial disparities. The elimination of racial disparities in health care is vital for a healthcare system geared toward improving quality and […]
Can the Drug Industry Repair its Fractured Image?
The Pharmaceutical industry has been facing increasing criticism on their pricing policies, leaving their image severely damaged and in desperate need of an overhaul. What would they have to do to gain your trust? Michael Hayden, of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's, comments on the industry's […]
Dr. Patti Peeples Scaling it up in North Florida
HealthEconomics.Com's Dr Patti Peeples, recently took part in a podcast on Melissa Ross' NPR show, First Coast Connect, discussing a program known as ScaleUp North Florida. Learn more about the ScaleUp program and HealthEconomics.Com's participation here. (Source: HealthEconomics.Com, 10/8/15) […]
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Welcomes Two McMaster Professors
Dr. May Cohen and Dr. Gordon Guyant, two McMaster University professors are to inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame this year. Learn more about the professors and their contributions to women's health and evidence based medicine here. (Source: Anthony Urciuoli, AM900, 10/8/15) […]
ICER Releases Revised Draft Report on PCSK9 Inhibitors
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) recently heard public comments and released the revised draft report: PCSK9 Inhibitors for Treatment of High Cholesterol: Effectiveness, Value, and Value-Based Price Benchmarks. Find out more here. (Source: CEPAC, 2015) […]
Is Your Prescription Covered with a Money Back Guarantee?
For years, government and private insurers have been trying to move away from the fee-for-service system and toward a system that rewards quality and better outcomes - a performance based system. However, linking payment to performance can be challenging. Read more here. (Source: John Tozzi, […]
Have You Got What it Takes to be a NICE Fellow or Scholar?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently looking for professionals working in health, public health and social care, to join its ambassador programmes. Recruitment is now open for the 2016 intake, find out more here. (Source: NICE, 10/7/15) […]
Specialty Pharmacy at Biggest Risk with U.S. Price Regulations
Turing Pharmaceutical's recent price hike debacle has moved the debate over regulating pharmaceutical pricing front and center. Up till now, the industry has been able to see to it that any proposals to regulate pricing fail, but has it now reached a point of no return? Which companies stand to […]
Pharma Disappointed with Trade Deal’s Limited Protections
The Pharmaceutical industry is left disappointed after trade officials recently agreed to shrink the length of time that pharmaceutical companies can receive monopoly rights for certain drugs. Read more here. (Source: Sarah Ferris, The Hill, 10/5/15) […]
New Study Shows Intensive BP Management Could Save Your Life!
The U.S. National Institutes of Health recently released early findings from the Sprint Trial, a study of blood pressure management in people over 50. Does keeping systolic pressure below 120 reduce the cardiovascular disease and the risk of death? Find out here. (Source: […]
What Does Broader Access to CMS Data Mean for Patients?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently made an announcement allowing innovators and entrepreneurs to analyze and utilize datasets maintained by the federal agency. Find out more here. (Source: NPC, 9/10/15) […]
What is a Biosimilar Medicine?
The British Generic Manufacturers Association, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), and the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) have come together for this new publication, What is a Biosimilar Medicine? See more here. (Source: Victoria White, european pharmaceutical review, […]
What is the True Cost of Expensive Medications?
With the introduction of newer and better medicines, patients should have more options to chose from, so why are todays patients being left with less options? Find out the real cost of expensive medications here. (Source: News Republic, 9/25/14) […]
How Will Recent Mega Mergers of Insurers Affect You?
The recent mega-mergers in the health insurance arena stand to shake up competition across the industry. How will this affect you? Find out here. (Source: Terry Stone, Bryce Bach, Managed Healthcare Executive, 9/22/15) […]
Medical and Prescription Plan Rates to Increase in 2016
Segal recently released the results of its nineteenth annual survey of health plans cost trends and resulting forecasts in the 2016 Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey. According to the forecasts, 2016 will likely see rate increases for most medical and pharmaceutical plans, substantial increases to […]
How Far Has Martin Shkreli Crossed the Line?
Martin Shkreli, CEO Turing Pharmaceuticals, is taking some heat for his 4,000% price increase on a 50 year old life saving drug. Even the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America group (PhRMA) has turned its back on him. Read more here. (Source: Ariana Eunjung Cha, The Washington Post, […]
Possible $115 Billion Saved with Elimination of Hepatitis C in the U.S.
Milliman recently released a report on the clinical burden of hepatitis C in the United States, and reported a projected cost of $115 over the next decade. However, with the newest generation of medicines, hepatitis C could become a rare disease within 2 decades. How does the cost of treatment […]
Transparency Means Nothing Without Availability
Searching for a new primary care physician, this author discusses the need for transparency in healthcare and the availability of that information to patients. Read more here. (Source: Robert Popovian, Morning Consult, 9/23/15) […]
Are You Communicating Your HEOR Message Clearly?
HEOR Study Designs Explained and Communicating Messages Clearly with Data is the second FREE webinar in a series of six. This webinar gives an overview of HEOR study designs and how to communicate data effectively, including techniques for writing about data, and telling a simple story about […]
Why are RSAs Having Such a Difficult Time in the US?
A newly released, peer-reviewed study, Private Sector Risk-Sharing Agreements in the U.S.: Trends, Barriers and Prospects, has found that risk-sharing agreements (RSAs) between pharmaceutical companies and health insurers are not widely utilized in the U.S. today. What are the current barriers to […]
Gastroenterologists Open to Biosimilars but Cautious
180 Gastroenterologists (members of the American Gastroenterological Association) were recently surveyed on the use of biologics and biosimilars in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Read more here. (Source: First Report Managed Care, 9/8/15) […]
