What we're reading, October 16, 2015: judge rules orphan drugs do not need to be sold at discount under 340B, hospitals can use resources at their disposal to overcome the "weekend effect," and AstraZeneca's diabetes combination drug fails to win FDA approval.
Orphan Drugs Excluded From 340B Program
A judge ruled that orphan drugs do not need to be sold at a discount to rural and cancer hospitals under the 340B drug discount program. While the pharmaceutical industry viewed the ruling as a victory, many hospitals say the decision could lead to higher prices for patients and could limit access to some medications, according to Modern Healthcare.
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Overcoming the “Weekend Effect” at Hospitals
Hospitals can overcome the so-called “weekend effect,” in which outcomes are worse for patients undergoing emergent/urgent surgeries on the weekend compared with weekdays, through the use of specific hospital resources, according to a study published in the Annals of Surgery. Resources that were predictors for overcoming the weekend effect include full adoption of electronic medical records, pain management programs, and an increased registered nurse-to-bed ratio.
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New Diabetes Treatment Fails to Win Approval
The FDA declined to approve AstraZeneca Plc’s new diabetes treatment that combines 2 of its existing drugs, reported Bloomberg Business. Patients using the combination drug in a late-stage clinical trial were able to reduce their blood sugar levels more than with either drug alone, according to the company. Federal regulators have requested further data.
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How Can Employers Leverage the DPP to Improve Diabetes Rates?
February 15th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Jill Hutt, vice president of member services at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, explains the Coalition’s efforts to reduce diabetes rates through the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).
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Balancing Care Access and Fragmentation for Better Outcomes in Veterans With Diabetes
April 22nd 2021The authors of a study in the April 2021 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® discuss the possible reasons behind the link between care fragmentation and hospitalizations in veterans with diabetes, as well as potential opportunities to address disjointed care in the context of the widespread telehealth uptake seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What We’re Reading: ACA Perception; FDA Blood Sugar Warning; AI and Physician Burnout
February 22nd 2024More than half of US adults have a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood sugar levels without piercing the skin could be dangerous and should be avoided; many believe artificial intelligence (AI) could be the solution to physician burnout.
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Advancements in Diabetes Technology: Coverage, Challenges, and Pregnancy Considerations
February 15th 2024Expert interviews highlight advancements and challenges in diabetes care technology, including automated insulin delivery systems and continuous glucose monitors, as well as improvements in insurance coverage.
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