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.
‘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...
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.
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.
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’...
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.
Report: Part D bills would pinch providers
Mar 28, 2008
Legislation that requires Medicare Part D plans to pay pharmacists within 14 days could take money away from nursing homes and Medicare Advantage plans, according to the Pharmaceutical Care Management...
Commonly used drugs can quicken cognitive decline in elderly, reports say
May 07, 2008
Anticholinergics – a group of drugs commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, urinary incontinence and acid reflux – may cause a more rapid decline in cognitive...
Hypertension drug does not pose health risks, study finds
By
John Roszkowski
Oct 13, 2023
New research suggests that a drug commonly used to treat hypertension is not dangerous, despite the concerns of some clinicians and researchers about potential health risks.
Medical experts devise list of low-value drugs, prescribing practices
By
Caroline Szachnowski
Feb 22, 2022
Researchers have proposed a new metric for identifying low-value medication prescribing in older adults, according to a recent article in JAMA Network Open.