August 16, 2018
Some 2 million Americans take blood thinners. Nearly 30 million have diabetes. Tens of thousands more treat heartburn or cancer with medication prescribed by their doctor. Chances are, these patients’ attention piques when they hear the medicine they take followed by “medical alert” or “warning” blaring from their television. Many, including senior citizens, might even abandon their prescribed medicines out of fear.
August 14, 2018
The federal government has given Medicare plans a new tool to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. But it could have the unintended consequence of limiting patients’ access to some medications.
August 9, 2018
An influential calculation of how new drugs impact annual spending is flawed – and patients may be paying the price in reduced access to innovative medicine.
August 7, 2018
Existing therapies help Parkinson’s patients control their tremors and stiffness – most of the time. Now, new versions of the drug apormorphine could address breakthrough symptoms, which about 90 percent of patients experience during what’s known as “off” periods.
August 2, 2018
Direct-acting antivirals, which provide about a 90 percent cure rate, can prevent cirrhosis and liver cancer, reducing the number of liver transplants needed, and minimizing disease transmission. The initial list price of the drugs gave many insurers and health systems sticker shock, though market forces continue to drive down the price.
July 31, 2018
Co-pay accumulator adjustment programs are presenting patients with an ugly surprise at the pharmacy counter: The card that helps them…
July 31, 2018
Can policymakers prevent new co-pay accumulator programs from surprising patients at the pharmacy counter? The short answer: yes. They have several options, in fact, according to a new overview of policy proposals from the Institute for Patient Access.
July 30, 2018
Advocates cannot reach every infant or every family, acknowledged National Coalition for Infant Health Medical Director Mitchell Goldstein, MD,…
July 26, 2018
New research paints a troubling picture of patient access to prescription medication.
July 24, 2018
To import, or not to import? The question of whether to bring foreign, lower-priced versions of prescription drugs to the United States is back.
