Pharmacogenomic Testing Tool Can Reduce Utilization of Benzodiazepine
An economic analysis presented at the 2017 Neuroscience Educational Institute (NEI) Congress in Colorado Springs, Colorado, showed that pharmacogenomic testing in patients with specific psychiatric disorders can reduce the utilization of benzodiazepines.
MSK and PathoQuest Test Method to Detect Infection in Patients With Febrile Neutropenia
A new collaboration between PathoQuest and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) will test the best method to identify microorganisms responsible for infections in patients with febrile neutropenia.
What We're Reading: 340B Face-Off; Uber Pushes ACA Sign-Up; DEA Cracks Down on Opioid Trafficking
A battle between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies is brewing over the 340B program; Uber and other companies relying on independent contractors lead the push to get people to enroll in Obamacare plans; the government intends to crack down harder on fentanyl-related substances.
What We're Reading: Drug-Pricing Measure Rejected; Medical Expense Deduction; Flu Vaccine Efficacy
Ohio voters reject measure that capped prices for drugs bought by the state; Senate Republicans consider keeping medical expense deduction in their tax bill; and the flu vaccine's effectiveness can be undermined by the process by which it is grown.
Roche Gets Drug Approvals for First Treatment for a Rare Blood Disorder and NSCLC
Roche had 2 drugs approved by the FDA—one that is the first approved treatment for a rare blood disease and the other is approved as a first-line treatment for anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive metastatic non–small cell lung cancer.
What We're Reading: ACA Enrollment Spikes; CVS Rx Drug Delivery; Ohio's Drug-Pricing Measure
First day Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment surpassed numbers from last year; CVS will offer next-day and same-day prescription delivery in 2018; and voter confusion surrounds Ohio's drug-pricing ballot measure.
What We're Reading: Drug Overdose Deaths; New Anthem CEO; Diabetes Technology
CDC released a report showing a more than 17% increase in drug overdose deaths last year; Gail K. Boudreaux will step in as new Anthem CEO; and the first glucose-monitoring system that doesn’t require a blood sample will hopefully be introduced by the end of 2018.
This Week in Managed Care: November 3, 2017
This week, the top managed care news included the first day of open enrollment; data from CMS that indicate the progress accountable care organizations are making; and findings that most people with obesity aren't get screened for it or getting care.
What We're Reading: Questions About Stents; CHIP Vote; Free Obamacare for Some People
A new study questions the use of stents in certain patients; the House is expected to pass CHIP funding, but how to pay for it continues to be debated; and nearly all older, poorer people will have access to cheaper ACA plans in 2018.
What We're Reading: Drug-Pricing Collusion; NJ, Alaska Sue Over Opioids; Preterm Births in US
Drug-pricing collution lawsuit widens to include more companies and drugs; New Jersey and Alaska also file lawsuits against Purdue Pharma for opioid marketing tactics; and the preterm birth rate in the United States increases.
Educating Patients About Risk of Febrile Neutropenia Associated With Strong Chemotherapy
Strong chemotherapy may be part of the treatment plan for patients diagnosed with cancer, but it also comes with risks. A new campaign will empower patients with cancer to better understand and navigate risks such as febrile neutropenia that are associated with strong chemotherapy.
What We're Reading: No Premiums; Ariz. Medicaid Expansion; Coverage of the Opioid Epidemic
Top news of the day: More people will have access to ACA plans with no premiums, a challenge to Arizona's Medicaid expansion funding goes to the state supreme court, and a dive into coverage of the opioid epidemic.
The Case for Eliminating the Neutropenic Diet
Although there is no scientific evidence that a specific diet reduces risk of infection in patients experiencing neutropenia, it is a common strategy in cancer care. Research presented at the 42nd Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society determined that the popular neutropenic diet can be eliminated from practice.