By Tom Keane & Steven Posnack – ASTP/ONC released a final rule enabling the use of certified EHRs to submit prior authorizations, select drugs consistent with a patient’s insurance coverage, and exchange electronic prescription information with pharmacies and insurance plans.
Read More
By Arthur Allen – In recent years, the opaque business practices of PBMs have drawn fire. The Federal Trade Commission is conducting a lengthy investigation of the three biggest companies and sued them in September, accusing the firms of driving up insulin prices.
The AMA recently published its new annual analysis of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) markets confirming low competition among these middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain and high vertical integration of PBMs with health insurance companies.
By David Burda – If you come to dinner at a casual or fast-food restaurant with my family, chances are, you’re going to hear someone say, “Are you going to finish that?” That someone usually is me. It’s usually me for two reasons. One, I like food and will eat pretty much anything within arm’s reach if you’re not careful. Two, I hate waste.
By Tom Dorsett – The U.S. spent nearly $348 billion last year on prescription drugs, the highest in the world and an average of about $1,200 per person. To put this in perspective, Sweden spent about $350 per capita. High drug costs in the U.S. continues to be a threat to patient health and long-term outcomes.
By JoNel Aleccia – Within a few weeks, perhaps before many Americans finish decorating for the holidays, the U.S. could have access to a new antiviral pill from Merck expected to alter the deadly trajectory of the covid-19 pandemic — with a second option from Pfizer to follow shortly after.
From Kaiser Health News Network – Their latest podcast, What the Health, This week, The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Finance Committee this…
By Julie Appleby – Medicare plans to test new ways to pay for prescription medications given in doctors’ offices and hospital outpatient centers — moves likely to win praise from some policy experts, but opposition from facilities and practitioners.
By Andy Slavitt – Recently, prescription drugs have been in the news a lot, particularly with respect to their cost. Millions of Americans rely on prescription medications to manage chronic illnesses or treat acute conditions, and drug innovation has resulted in better health outcomes for people across our nation.