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.
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,...
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...
State, federal pain policies hurt
By
Liza Berger
Nov 13, 2009
A lot of Americans suffer from chronic pain. This group includes many nursing home residents. Which is why some new developments on the pain front are encouraging.
Researchers find holes in antipsychotics’ off-label uses
Jan 09, 2008
Antipsychotic drugs that are used “off-label” for controlling violent behavior in mentally challenged patients are less effective than placebos and dummy pills, according to a new British study.
Almost 60% of diabetic nursing home residents with chronic kidney disease are on a potentially problematic...
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 03, 2014
Nursing home residents who have diabetes and chronic kidney disease are commonly given medications that are not in keeping with best practice guidelines or prescribing information, according to recently...
First-ever drug can treat ‘bad cholesterol’ that statins miss
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 29, 2023
A new drug called muvalaplin successfully lowers a genetic form of cholesterol that’s linked to higher risks of strokes and heart attacks, according to a new study published Monday in JAMA. It’s the...
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.
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...
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’...