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Published in the journal Cancer, the study evaluated the short-term and long-term costs of treating patients with low-risk prostate cancer across the entire care spectrum.

The bipartisan panel has asked 4 drug makers, including Turing Pharmaceuticals, to submit documents to the US Senate's Special Committee on Aging.

According to a study published in The International Journal of Cancer, tubal ligation can reduce the risk of serous, endometrioid, and clear cell ovarian carcinoma.

Departing Governor Steve Beshear's full embrace of the Affordable Care Act brought health coverage to 500,000 people in Kentucky, including many who had never had insurance. Preventive services increased by more than 100%.

What we're reading, November 4, 2015: drug deaths become the next big 2016 presidential campaign issue; and Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross receive large fines for misleading information about Affordable Care Act Plans.

Approximately half of patients prescribed statins for lowering cholesterol discontinue use within the first year and the adherence rate only goes down from there.

A new research study published in the Journal of Dermatology has found that propranolol, a commonly used antihypertensive agent, could substantially reduce proliferation of angiosarcoma.

Fifty organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, have expressed their confidence in Robert Califf, MD, to lead the FDA.

The study found that drugs to treat high cholesterol and diabetes were among those experiencing increased use between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012.

There is not a lot of information about primary medication nonadherence, but it could have a huge impact on patients, as discussed by a speaker at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2015 meeting.

This year's Nobel Prize winner in economics and his wife uncover sad statistics on how substance abuse and suicide are taking their toll on white Americans at midlife. Princeton's Angus Deaton speculates that the trends reflect the broader picture of inequality.

The finding that chronic statin therapy lowers vaccine effectiveness in elderly individuals may have implications for future vaccine recommendations.

After melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy status to pembrolizumab in advanced colorectal cancer patients with mismatched repair deficiency.

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.

Perioperative medication errors and adverse drug events occur in every second operation and in 5% of observed drug administrations, according to a study from Massachusetts General Hospital.

As has been the case in other states, Virginia seeks a solution to rising costs for medically fragile patients. Lawmakers have been unwilling to expand Medicaid and likely will not until a cost-containment plan is found.

The new meta-analysis was sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and the National Institutes of Health.

Some progress and a lot of room for improvement in the latest Hospital Safety Score report.

What we're reading, November 2, 2015: third open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act kicks off; common medical tests are being done inaccurately; and hospitals and the government settle over cardiac device implants.

During the last 5 years of life, the cost of dementia eclipses that of other diseases, like cancer and heart disease, according to a study from the National Institutes of Health.

Healthcare spending for the privately insured increased 3.4% in 2014 despite a decline in the use of healthcare services.

Advocacy groups say it's long past time for Medicare to cover continuous glucose monitoring, which is standard of care and funded by most commercial payers.

A majority of pharmacies are committed to implementing an electronic prior authorization (ePA) solution that sends prior authorization requests electronically to the prescriber.

This week in managed care, The American Journal of Managed Care celebrated 20 years and presented its first Emerging Leader award, plus confusion reigns after study links processed meats to cancer and death rates on the decline.

Novartis' dual combination bronchodilator Utibron Neohaler inhalation powder for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has received FDA approval. It is not indicated to treat asthma or sudden symptoms of COPD.

With the expansion, UnitedHealthcare will bring 5 more oncology practices on board to participate in its bundled program, which will grow the program to 650 oncologists across 7 states.

What we're reading, October 29, 2015: Fewer health plans will be available on HealthCare.gov in 2016; PBMs cut ties with pharmacy connected to Valeant; and emergency departments are dissatisfied with electronic health record interoperability.

Highlights from this week's news about the big transaction between 2 retail pharmacy giants.

Patients who had access to their PCP's progress notes had improved adherence to prescribed antihypertension medications.

More states cover all recommended evidence-based treatments, although many require copayments or put annual limits on care.