Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act

Optum Rx Takes Additional Steps to Lower the Cost of Insulin

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Men, Pharmaceutical, Consumer, Health Insurance, Other Consumer, Science, Women, Biotechnology, Seniors, Other Science, Health, Diabetes, Allergy, UnitedHealth Group, Eli Lilly, Hypoglycemia, Insurance, Novo Nordisk, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Policy, Patient, Opioid overdose, Pharmacy, Optum, Insulin, Pharmaceutical industry, Cryptocurrency, Sanofi

In all, Optum Rx will shift eight products, including all short- and rapid-acting insulins, to tier one, or “preferred” status on standard formularies.

Key Points: 
  • In all, Optum Rx will shift eight products, including all short- and rapid-acting insulins, to tier one, or “preferred” status on standard formularies.
  • In total, 170 unique medications are part of the Optum Rx Critical Drug Affordability program that includes a recommended cost share of $35 or less for consumers.
  • Today more than 70% of people who use Optum Rx already pay less than $35 per month on insulin.
  • Effective Jan. 1, 2024, thanks to the latest actions by Optum Rx, 98% of all Optum Rx consumers will have access to insulin for $35 or less per month.

New Biosense Webster QDOT MICRO™ Catheter Data Demonstrate Very High-Power, Short-Duration Ablations Improved Quality of Life and Reduced Healthcare Utilization for AFib Patients

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Catheter ablation, Incidence, Johnson & Johnson, Arrhythmia, Heart, RF, Physician, Atrial fibrillation, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Catheter, Journal, Clinical electrophysiology, Quality of life, Caregiver, Recurrence, Electrophysiology, Freedom, Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Safety, Cleveland Clinic, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical device, Nursing, Temperature, MD, Ventricular fibrillation

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biosense Webster, Inc., a global leader in cardiac arrhythmia treatment and part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech,i announced new findings from the Q-FFICIENCY study were published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology demonstrating treatment with the QDOT MICRO™ Catheter significantly improved control of atrial fibrillation (AFib), relief of symptoms and overall quality of life.1

Key Points: 
  • The QDOT MICRO™ Catheter is a next-generation RF ablation catheter that incorporates advanced, high-energy ablation, improved temperature monitoring, optimized irrigation, and higher signal resolution.
  • In QMODE+™ setting, the catheter allows the delivery of very high-power, short-duration ablation – 90 watts for up to four seconds, significantly improving ablation efficiency.2 The QDOT MICRO™ Catheter is fully integrated with the CARTO® 3 System, enabling efficient and consistent lesion creation with a simplified workflow and lower total procedure time.2 Earlier this year, Biosense Webster announced the publication of the Q-FFICIENCY safety and 12-month efficacy data in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, which showed that the QDOT MICRO™ Catheter delivered high clinical success with 86% of patients experiencing freedom from symptomatic recurrence while catheter-related primary adverse events remained low at 1.8%.2
    "AFib places a substantial burden on patients' daily lives and healthcare resources, including physician visits, drug costs and side effects, and hospitalizations.
  • At Biosense Webster, we are focused on improving patient outcomes, while offering innovative solutions for physicians treating the growing number of AFib patients today," said Jasmina Brooks, President, Biosense Webster, Inc. "As the Q-FFICIENCY study findings demonstrate, use of the temperature-controlled QDOT MICRO™ Catheter allows physicians to customize treatment for each patient, reduce procedural times and offer significant benefits to patients through improving their quality of life."
  • AFib is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia affecting an estimated 37.5 million people globally.3 Responsible for more than 450,000 hospitalizations and nearly 5 million physician visits in the U.S. annually, AFib places a heavy burden on patients, their caregivers and healthcare systems.4 Despite these projections, many people are unfamiliar with AFib symptoms, available treatment options and the importance of early treatment to avoid disease progression.5 Catheter ablation is a safe and effective procedure to restore the heart's incorrect electrical signals, which causes an abnormal heart rhythm.6

EmpiRx Health Expands Value-Based PBM Leadership by Prioritizing Lower-Priced Biosimilar Medications

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
FDA, PBM, Heart, Pharmacist, Physician, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Health, Doctor of Pharmacy, Safety, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry, Generic drug, Health care, Adalimumab

MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EmpiRx Health, the leader in clinically-driven, customer-first pharmacy care, today announced that after careful clinical review it has added two Humira (Adalimumab) biosimilars to its preferred products. Both biosimilars offer substantial cost savings over the original Humira product. As one of the only PBMs to embrace the lower cost versions of this widely used medication, EmpiRx Health's move is consistent with the company's value-based, clinically driven pharmacy care approach, which puts the pharmacist at the center of the care model to help optimize patient health outcomes and reduce costs.

Key Points: 
  • Still relatively new to the US market, biosimilars are biologic medications that are highly similar to drugs already approved by the FDA.
  • EmpiRx Health has been an early adopter of biosimilars because they offer the same level of safety and effectiveness as the original products, but at a lower cost – sometimes substantially lower.
  • This clearly demonstrates EmpiRx Health's commitment to clinically focused, value-based decision making that puts customers and patients first.
  • "At EmpiRx Health, our frontline pharmacists support and collaborate closely with physicians to ensure clinically appropriate care that helps to keep patients healthy while lowering overall drug costs.

In New Ad Campaign, NACDS Calls on U.S. Congress to Pass "REAL REFORM" to Stop PBM Tactics Threatening Americans and Pharmacies

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Policy, PBM, Government, Medicare, Congress, Legislation, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Federation, United States Congress, Multimedia, Pharmacy, Patient, ALL, National Association, Pharmaceutical industry, Hospital, Health insurance, Health care, Medicaid

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today launched a new broadcast and digital advertising campaign to stress the need for true reform of pharmaceutical benefit manager (PBM) tactics — so that Americans may benefit from lower drug prices and access to medications and to pharmacies. NACDS is emphasizing the particular focus that federal reform efforts must bring to protecting Americans on Medicare and Medicaid.

Key Points: 
  • NACDS is emphasizing the particular focus that federal reform efforts must bring to protecting Americans on Medicare and Medicaid.
  • "PBM reform is needed now, and any proposed PBM legislation that does not include Americans served through Medicare and Medicaid – and their pharmacies – is not real reform."
  • "Americans should be able to go to any pharmacy and have access to their medicines at an affordable price.
  • PBM reform is needed now, and any proposed PBM legislation that does not include Americans served through Medicare and Medicaid – and their pharmacies – is not real reform."

RxBenefits Among Inc.'s Second Annual Power Partners Award Winners

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Health, Life, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Organization, B2B, Entrepreneurship, Advertising, Marketing, Pharmacy, Record, PBO, Safety, Patient

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- RxBenefits, the employee benefits industry's first technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO), has been honored by Inc. Business Media as a winner in the second annual Power Partner Awards. The program recognizes B2B organizations across the globe that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow. The list recognizes 389 firms in health and wellness, marketing and advertising, financial services, legal, logistics, and productivity, as well as other areas of business.

Key Points: 
  • BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- RxBenefits , the employee benefits industry's first technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO) , has been honored by Inc. Business Media as a winner in the second annual Power Partner Awards .
  • The program recognizes B2B organizations across the globe that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow.
  • Congratulations to all the winners in the 2023 Power Partner Awards!"
  • To view the complete list Power Partner Award winners, go to: https://www.inc.com/power-partner-awards/2023
    The November 2023 Issue of Inc. magazine is available online now at https://www.inc.com/magazine and will be on newsstands beginning October 31, 2023.

Swisslog Healthcare Invites Central Pharmacy Leaders to Learn About Optimizing Operations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Software, Supply Chain Management, Professional Services, Pharmaceutical, Thought Leadership, Technology, Hospitals, Retail, Medical Supplies, Transport, Practice Management, Health, Logistics, Indiana University Health, SME, CSCS, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Patient, Pharmacy, CSC, Hospital, Health care, Nursing

A study from Swisslog Healthcare showed that healthcare facilities that implemented CSCs of all sizes saw improved inventory management and streamlined procurement processes.

Key Points: 
  • A study from Swisslog Healthcare showed that healthcare facilities that implemented CSCs of all sizes saw improved inventory management and streamlined procurement processes.
  • Notably, Swisslog Healthcare has offered webinars featuring various industry experts discussing topics such as combatting labor shortages, maneuvering through digital transformation, and more.
  • “As an industry leader in healthcare automation, we have the opportunity to improve the healthcare industry as a whole.
  • To learn more about Swisslog Healthcare and how its automation technology enables healthcare workers to deliver better patient care, visit Swisslog-Healthcare.com .

GREENSHIELD ADMINISTRATION RELEASES 2023 DRUG TRENDS REPORT: THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW THERAPIES INCREASE UTILIZATION RATES

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Patient, Lisdexamfetamine, Colitis, Psoriasis, Galcanezumab, Health, Therapy, Social skills, Prevalence, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Migraine, Methylphenidate, Rheumatoid arthritis, RA, Fremanezumab, Crohn's disease, Growth, Disease, Asthma, Pharmacy, Diabetes, Eye, Case management, Calcitonin gene-related peptide, COPD, ADHD, Appetite, Mental health, Pharmaceutical industry, Dietary supplement, Health insurance, Iain Greenshields, Semaglutide

Today, GreenShield introduces its 2023 GreenShield Administration Drug Trends Report , revealing key insights surrounding three main therapeutic categories that go beyond Ozempic.

Key Points: 
  • Today, GreenShield introduces its 2023 GreenShield Administration Drug Trends Report , revealing key insights surrounding three main therapeutic categories that go beyond Ozempic.
  • "In the ever-changing world of healthcare, GreenShield's 2023 Administration Drug Trends Report reveals a compelling narrative, with an overall rise in utilization rates - driven by new therapies and changes in how plan members approach their health," said Mark Rolnick, Executive Vice President, Head of GreenShield Administration.
  • This year's report provides data based on +32 million claims from over two million drug claimants processed by GreenShield Administration this year.
  • Beyond its annual Drug Trends report, GreenShield Administration unlocks better health for all through integrated health and benefits solutions for more than 6 million Canadians from coast-to-coast.

GREENSHIELD ADMINISTRATION RELEASES 2023 DRUG TRENDS REPORT: THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW THERAPIES INCREASE UTILIZATION RATES

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Patient, Lisdexamfetamine, Colitis, Psoriasis, Health, Therapy, Social skills, Prevalence, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Migraine, Methylphenidate, Rheumatoid arthritis, RA, Crohn's disease, Growth, Disease, Asthma, Pharmacy, Diabetes, Eye, Case management, Calcitonin gene-related peptide, COPD, ADHD, Appetite, Mental health, Pharmaceutical industry, Dietary supplement, Health insurance, Iain Greenshields, Semaglutide

Today, GreenShield introduces its 2023 GreenShield Administration Drug Trends Report , revealing key insights surrounding three main therapeutic categories that go beyond Ozempic.

Key Points: 
  • Today, GreenShield introduces its 2023 GreenShield Administration Drug Trends Report , revealing key insights surrounding three main therapeutic categories that go beyond Ozempic.
  • "In the ever-changing world of healthcare, GreenShield's 2023 Administration Drug Trends Report reveals a compelling narrative, with an overall rise in utilization rates - driven by new therapies and changes in how plan members approach their health," said Mark Rolnick, Executive Vice President, Head of GreenShield Administration.
  • This year's report provides data based on +32 million claims from over two million drug claimants processed by GreenShield Administration this year.
  • Beyond its annual Drug Trends report, GreenShield Administration unlocks better health for all through integrated health and benefits solutions for more than 6 million Canadians from coast-to-coast.

Visory Health Recognized as Aging 2.0 Optimize Awards Healthcare Impact Winner Creating Healthier Lives for Older Adults

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Health, Senior, Prescription, Pharmacy, Kroger, Organization, Space Age 2.0, Caregiver, Ageing, Pharmacist, Club, Motivation, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Woman, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry, Health insurance, Growth, Publix, Walgreens, Giant, Ralphs

This award recognizes the significant contributions of individuals and organizations worldwide who are making a positive impact in the healthcare industry.

Key Points: 
  • This award recognizes the significant contributions of individuals and organizations worldwide who are making a positive impact in the healthcare industry.
  • Visory Health leads the market shift to cash-access healthcare with its proprietary technology, analytics, and consumer engagement platforms that give people access to lower-cost prescription medication for everyone, including older adults.
  • “Aging is a guarantee in life, but high drug prices should not be,” said Visory Health CEO and Founder Susan Lang.
  • Visit www.visoryhealth.com to learn more about Visory Health and the impact it's making for women, families and seniors in the healthcare industry.

CoverRight Releases Review of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Costs relative to Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Cost Plus Drugs, Health, Medicare, Medicare Part D, PBC, Doctor of Philosophy, Ageing, Prescription, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Plasma protein binding, Health insurance, Pharmaceutical industry

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CoverRight, a digital-first concierge platform designed to empower older adults and their families to easily learn about and navigate Medicare health insurance online is pleased to release a review comparing Medicare Part D drug costs to purchasing prescriptions through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs).

Key Points: 
  • CoverRight, a digital-first concierge platform designed to empower older adults and their families to easily learn about and navigate Medicare health insurance online is pleased to release a review comparing Medicare Part D drug costs to purchasing prescriptions through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs).
  • NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CoverRight , a digital-first concierge platform designed to empower older adults and their families to easily learn about and navigate Medicare health insurance online is pleased to release a review comparing Medicare Part D drug costs to purchasing prescriptions through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs).
  • CoverRight is the first digital Medicare selection platform to integrate Cost Plus Drugs data into its platform, allowing consumers to compare and save on prescription drug costs.
  • This review builds upon CoverRight and Cost Plus Drugs' successful collaboration initiated in October 2022 to help Medicare beneficiaries save additionally on drug costs.