September 11, 2018
Painful, debilitating and highly stigmatized, gout affects 8-9 million Americans. The disease occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints, triggering agonizing attacks and disrupting people’s day-to-day lives. But the Alliance for Gout Awareness has a message for frustrated patients: Don’t give up.
September 10, 2018
When it comes to migraine and headache disorders, women have clear-cut opinions – and distinctly female experiences.
September 7, 2018
When it comes to how to increase the development and utilization of biosimilars, the Food and Drug Administration is all ears. On Tuesday, the agency welcomed numerous physicians and experts to testify on competition and innovation in the biosimilars marketplace. And at least one physician identified a critical component in uptake: physician confidence.
September 5, 2018
ICER claims to define the value of medicine for patients. But who's defining ICER's values?
September 4, 2018
What do Maine and Illinois have in common? Legislators in both states are heeding patients’ concerns about non-medical switching this year.
August 30, 2018
Patient access developments didn’t stop for summer. As we head into fall, here are 10 quotes from the news items – and new materials – that kept the health policy conversation lively during summer 2018.
August 28, 2018
CVS Health recently announced that employers who use its pharmacy benefit management services can cut certain medications from their plan’s formulary of approved drugs. Which drugs? Those that exceed a cost-effectiveness threshold established by ICER, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.
August 23, 2018
When public health emergencies threaten developing nations, governments may look for cheap, fast ways to secure necessary medicine. One option is compulsory licensing, the topic of a new “Fast Facts” from the Global Alliance for Patient Access.
August 22, 2018
Last month, the federal government proposed changes to Medicare’s billing rules. The net effect: Doctors will spend less time with their patients. As a physician myself, I know that’s not necessarily a good thing.
August 21, 2018
Breast is best, the familiar adage reminds parents of newborns. And this August, Breastfeeding Awareness Month gives families, health care providers and policymakers a chance to reflect on the benefits that breastfeeding offers babies and mothers alike. It also begs the questions: How do hospitals, health plans and regulatory policies encourage breastfeeding? And where they could improve?
