Fight to lower drug prices forces some to switch medication

January 27, 2016 In an effort to keep drug prices down, PBMs are refusing to pay for some costly brand-name medications if the manufacturers do not budge on price. Insurers previously would charge a steep copay for expensive drugs, thus encouraging customers to accept...

Study compares smoking cessation therapies

January 27, 2016 Twelve weeks of treatment with nicotine patch, varenicline, or combination nicotine replacement therapy (C-NRT) produced no significant differences in confirmed smoking abstinence at 26 weeks among adults trying to quit smoking, a new study shows....

FDA approves new indication for onabotulinumtoxinA

January 27, 2016 FDA has approved a new indication for onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox—Allergan)to treat lower limb spasticity among adults. Six years ago, the product was approved to treat upper limb spasticity in the elbow, wrist, and fingers, and FDA recently approved...

USPSTF recommends depression screening for adults

January 27, 2016 A new recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force calls for depression screening for adults. The recommendation, which includes pregnant women and postpartum women, is an update of the task force’s 2009 recommendation...

FDA faces sensitive challenge with review of DMD drug

January 27, 2016 An FDA advisory committee hearing for a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) drug has been postponed due to the major snowfall on the East Coast, and it is likely to be rescheduled within the month. DMD is a rare and fatal genetic disorder that affects...