Cardin amendment would work to expand assisted living residents’ access to prescription drugs
Dec 10, 2009
Assisted living providers and advocates are cheering this week after Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced an amendment to the healthcare reform bill that seeks to improve some assisted living residents’...
Lawmakers look to eliminate Medicare Part D gap earlier than planned
Oct 28, 2009
Lawmakers are stepping up efforts to close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, a coverage gap in the prescription drug program for seniors. Political pressure may be driving them to change their timetable.
FDA amends opioid action warning
Apr 15, 2009
The Food and Drug Administration will temporarily allow the continued production, marketing and distribution of one particular type of opioid, which is widely used to alleviate pain in terminally ill patients.
Newly appointed Orszag expected to play healthcare reform role
Dec 01, 2008
The recent appointment of Peter Orszag to director of the White House Office of Management and Budget indicates that the Obama administration is serious about controlling the rising costs of healthcare,...
High-dose vitamin B3 ‘cures’ Alzheimer’s in lab mice
Nov 06, 2008
Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has been found to eradicate Alzheimer’s disease-related memory problems in lab mice, according to new research.
Using two hypertension meds may help cut risk of death
Oct 06, 2008
On many occasions, it is said that two is better than one. That appears to be the case when it comes to reducing death from high blood pressure among the elderly.
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
Blood-pressure drugs good for brain, study finds
Jul 30, 2008
The use of blood-pressure drugs is linked to a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and a reduced likelihood of entering a nursing home, Boston University School of Medicine researchers found.
New palliative care ethical guideline released
Jul 01, 2008
Palliative care workers are allowed to sedate some patients with intractable pain at the end of life–but only as a last-resort measure, according to a new ethical guideline approved by the American...
Consultant pharmacists group forms for-profit subsidiary
Jun 13, 2008
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) this week announced the launch of ASCP Ventures, Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of ASCP.