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What We're Reading: Off-Label Drug Use and Adverse Drug Events
What we're reading, November 3, 2015: off-label drug use is associated with a higher risk of adverse drug events; CMS finalizes its rule for advanced care planning for end-of-life care; and Californians send measure to cut drug prices to the vote.
Off-Label Drug Use Associated With Higher Adverse Drug Event Risk
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggested caution when prescribing drugs for off-label use when there is a lack of strong evidence as the practice is associated with adverse drug events. While the overall rate of adverse drug events for off-label use was higher than that for on-label use, off-label use with strong scientific evidence had the same risk as on-label use. Risk for adverse events were higher for drugs approved between 1981 and 1995, and for those used by women, patients receiving 5 to 7 drugs, and patients receiving cardiovascular drugs.
CMS Finalizes Rule to Plan for End-of-Life Care
After receiving comments supporting the proposed rule to enable physicians to discuss advance care planning with Medicare beneficiaries, CMS is finalizing the rule. Advanced care discussions about how a patient would like to be care for when they are dying can occur early, before an illness progresses, or during the course of treatment. CMS is also finalizing payment for advance care planning when it is part of the Annual Wellness Visit.
California Measure Curbing Drug Costs Will Go to Vote
In California, advocates of a proposed measure that would slash drug prices receive more than enough signatures to place the measure on the ballot in November 2016. The proposed measure would require that programs where the state pays for a drug, even if the state did not purchase the drug directly, would pay no more than the price negotiated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, reported San Jose Mercury News.
What We’re Reading: Abortion Privacy Rules; Alzheimer Drug Hurdles; Nursing Home Staffing Overhaul
April 23rd 2024New health privacy rules aim to protect patients and providers in an evolving abortion landscape; some physicians express concerns about efficacy, risks, and entrenched beliefs in treating Alzheimer disease; CMS addresses longstanding staffing deficits in nursing homes.
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Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
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Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
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Pegcetacoplan for PNH More Cost-Effective Than Anti-C5 Monoclonal Antibodies
April 18th 2024A cost-utility analysis conducted from the perspective of the Italian health system found that pegcetacoplan was more effective and less costly than 2 complement 5 (C5) inhibitors for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
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Prices for care at hospital trauma centers vary across hospitals; drug shortages reached a record high during the first quarter of 2024; although 3 of the biggest makers of asthma inhalers pledged to cap out-of-pocket costs for some US patients at $35, these do not apply to daily inhalers used by the youngest kids with asthma.
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