Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for August 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Medical Bills in Collections Decrease With Patient Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical collections decrease substantially with age, possibly because of increased health insurance coverage and incomes, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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14.6 Percent of U.S. Adults Used Marijuana in Past Year
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 14.6 percent of U.S. adults report marijuana use in the past year, according to a research letter published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Preemptive Analgesia May Cut Post-Op Pain in Anorectal Surgery
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Preemptive pain medication is safe and reduces pain in the early postoperative period for patients undergoing anorectal surgery, according to a study published in the July issue of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum.
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Pediatric Revisits, Admissions for UTI Similar With Oral or IV Meds
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Very young children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) who receive parenteral antibiotics before emergency department discharge do not have lower rates of revisits leading to admission than children receiving oral antibiotics, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in Pediatrics.
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Excess Cardiac Risk Varies With Age of Onset of T1DM
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Excess cardiovascular risk varies with age at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in The Lancet.
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Ibudilast Appears to Slow Brain Atrophy Progression in MS
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, slower progression of brain atrophy was seen with ibudilast versus placebo, according to a phase 2 trial published in the Aug. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Medicaid Expansion Ups Access to Family Planning Services
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One-third of women of reproductive age report better ability to access birth control and family planning services with Medicaid expansion coverage, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
FDA: Common Diabetes Meds Tied to Serious Genital Infection
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A rare but serious genital infection known as necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, also called Fournier’s gangrene, has been reported in some patients taking a certain class of type 2 diabetes medicine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a result, the FDA has ordered a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information and patient medication guide of all sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
MICs of Isoniazid, Rifampin May Predict Tuberculosis Relapse
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In pretreatment isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isoniazid and rifampin below the standard resistance breakpoint are associated with increased risk of relapse, according to a study published in the Aug. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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In Stroke Survivors, Cost-Related Non-Adherence Down After ACA
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among adult survivors of stroke, health insurance coverage increased and cost-related non-adherence (CRN) decreased after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to research published online Aug. 27 in JAMA Neurology.
Many ED Visits for Antibiotic Adverse Drug Events in Children
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Emergency department (ED) visits for antibiotic adverse drug events (ADEs) in children account for 46.2 percent of emergency department visits for ADEs resulting from systemic medication, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
U.S. Opioid Use Not Declining, Despite Focus on Abuse
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Rates of opioid use in the United States do not appear to be declining, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The BMJ.
Label Mix-Up Spurs Recall of Accord Blood Pressure Meds
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One lot of high blood pressure medication is being recalled after a labeling mix-up, Accord Healthcare Inc. has announced.
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Pfizer Recalls a Type of Children’s Liquid Advil
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One lot of 4-ounce bottles of Children’s Advil Suspension Bubble Gum Flavored is being recalled because a packaging problem could lead to an overdose, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare says.
Pfizer Statement
Marketplace Premiums Increase More With Monopolist Insurers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Affordable Care Act Marketplace premiums increase more in areas with monopolist insurers, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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FDA Warning Letters Target Illegal Online Sales of Opioids
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Four more online networks that operate 21 websites illegally selling potentially dangerous, unapproved, and misbranded versions of opioid pain medications have been told to immediately stop their sales, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The order was made in warning letters sent to the networks.
Buprenorphine/Naloxone Rx Fills Up With Medicaid Expansion
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was an increase in buprenorphine with naloxone fills in expansion versus nonexpansion counties after Medicaid expansion, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Network Open.
Artificial Intelligence Holds Promise in Medicine
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care offers opportunities for early detection and triage, diagnostics and personalized medicine, and medical decision-making, according to an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
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Physicians Lack Knowledge About Serogroup MenB Vaccination
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — U.S. pediatricians and family physicians (FPs) have considerable knowledge gaps regarding serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccination, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Pediatrics.
Alcohol Is Leading Risk Factor for Global Disease Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Globally, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden, according to research published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet.
Cannabinoid in Breast Milk Up to Six Days After Marijuana Use
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most breast milk samples have measurable Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) up to about six days after maternal use, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in Pediatrics.
Experts Address Loss of the National Guideline Clearinghouse
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The demise of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) in July 2018 is likely to impact evidence-based health care around the world, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Two Ebola Patients Who Received Experimental Tx Have Recovered
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Two of the first 10 people to receive an experimental Ebola treatment have recovered from the highly dangerous disease, Congo’s health ministry says.
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Bigger Drop in Opioid Prescribing After CDC Guideline Release
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Release of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain in March 2016 corresponded to greater increases in several opioid prescribing patterns, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Most Research Participants Not Concerned About Data Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Few participants in clinical trials have strong concerns about the risks of data sharing, according to a special article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Care Coordination Strategies Aid in Multiple Chronic Diseases
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Care coordination strategies can be beneficial for older patients with multiple chronic diseases, according to a review published in the Aug. 27 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Prescription Drug Monitoring Program May Not Cut Opioid Use
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) does not necessarily reduce the overall rate of opioid prescribing or the mean number of pills prescribed for patients undergoing general surgical procedures, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in JAMA Surgery.
AMA Adopts Policy Promoting Health Equity As a Goal
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy that sets health equity as a goal for the U.S. health care system, according to a report published in the organization’s AMA Wire.
Medicaid Expansion Linked to Increase in Diabetes Rx Fills
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Expansions in Medicaid eligibility are associated with an increase in Medicaid diabetes prescriptions filled, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Arkansas Law Restricting Abortion Pills Remains on Hold
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An Arkansas law that would severely limit the use of abortion pills must remain on hold, a federal appeals court says.
Decline in Hospital-Acquired Conditions Continues
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) continued its decline from 2014 to 2016, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions.
Generic Substitutes, Therapeutic Interchange Can Save Money
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Promoting generic substitution and therapeutic interchange can save money compared with spending on brand-name combination medications, according to a study published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Education RE: Herd Immunity Can Up Readiness to Be Vaccinated
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Educating adults about herd immunity can increase the proportion willing to be vaccinated for influenza, according to a study recently published in Vaccine.
TNFi Not Linked to Increased Cancer Recurrence in RA Patients
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) is not associated with increased risk for cancer recurrence, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Hydrocodone Schedule Change Affected Post-Op Opioid Rx
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hydrocodone’s change from schedule III to schedule II in 2014 was associated with an increase in the amount of opioids filled in the initial prescription after surgery, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in JAMA Surgery.
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FDA Approves First Drug for Neurotrophic Keratitis
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Oxervate (cenegermin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat neurotrophic keratitis, a rare degenerative disease of the cornea.
FDA Bans E-Cig Liquid Products That Look Like Snacks, Candies
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Potentially poisonous electronic cigarette liquid (e-liquid) made by 17 different manufacturers comes in packaging that strongly resembles that of candies, cookies, and other snacks popular with children.
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1997 to 2015 Saw Increase in HIV Viral Suppression Rates
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1997 to 2015 there was a considerable increase in HIV viral suppression rates among people living with HIV (PLWH), according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Long-Term PPI Use Linked to Pneumonia Risk in Older Adults
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among older adults in primary care, use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is associated with greater risk of pneumonia in the second year of treatment, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Nivolumab + Ipilimumab Shows Efficacy for Untreated Brain Mets
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with melanoma and untreated brain metastases, nivolumab combined with ipilimumab shows clinically meaningful efficacy, according to a study published in the Aug. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Prophylactic Tranexamic Acid Doesn’t Cut Postpartum Bleeding
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid does not reduce postpartum hemorrhage among women with vaginal delivery receiving prophylactic oxytocin, according to a study published in the Aug. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Small Practices Also at Risk for Data Breaches
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches can happen to small medical practices, but staff can take steps to prevent them, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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4 Experimental Ebola Therapies Approved for Use in Congo
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Four more experimental treatments for Ebola virus have been approved by the Congo health ministry for use in an outbreak of the deadly infectious disease in the country’s northeast.
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Strategy Outlined for Shooter Incident in Health Care Facility
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a “secure, preserve, fight” strategy is recommended for health care professionals working with a vulnerable patient population, according to a Medicine and Society piece published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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National Provider Identifiers Are Vulnerable to Theft
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) are vulnerable to identity theft, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
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Similar Outcomes for Rural, Urban Cancer Patients in SWOG Trials
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Rural and urban cancer patients with uniform care access through participation in a SWOG (formerly the Southwest Oncology Group) treatment trial have similar outcomes, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Network Open.
Advantages for HDHP Enrollees in Large Versus Small Firms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in small firms are more likely to have higher deductible levels and lack employer contributions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses compared to workers in larger firms, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Catch-Up HPV Doses Effective to Age 21 Against Cervical Neoplasia
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Catch-up doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are effective for girls and women aged 14 to 20 years at the time of first dose, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
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Patient Education Urged to Prevent Opioid OD After Sobriety
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) encourages patient education to raise awareness of the risks associated with opioid use after a prolonged period of sobriety, according to a report in the organization’s AMA Wire.
FDA Extends EpiPen Expiration Dates to Tackle Shortage
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The expiration dates of certain batches of EpiPens have been extended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in an effort to reduce shortages of the life-saving devices.
Preventable Adverse Drug Events Usually of Minor Severity in Kids
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of preventable adverse drug events (pADEs) is zero to 17 per 1,000 patient-days in general pediatric wards and zero to 29 in intensive care units, with most pADEs of minor severity, according to a review published online Aug. 10 in Pediatrics.
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Side Effects of Biologics for Rheumatic Dz May Up Anxiety
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Potential side effects of biological agents may increase anxiety in patients with rheumatic disease, according to research published in the June issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
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Odds of Death Up With Exposure to Pregabalin, Opioids
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Concomitant exposure to pregabalin and opioids is associated with increased odds of opioid-related death, according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Experts Offer Tips for Provider Appeal of Denied Medical Claims
MONDAY, Aug.20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Knowing payer policies and regulatory requirements is critical to appealing denials, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Many Children With Asthma Do Not Have Medications Ready
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many low-income urban preschool-aged children with asthma do not meet the criteria for home medication readiness, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Pediatrics.
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Declines in Life Expectancy in Many High-Income Countries
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Life expectancy has declined in recent years in some high-income countries, and in the United States, midlife mortality has increased due to several causes, according to two studies published online Aug. 15 in The BMJ.
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Comments Open on End of NIH Review for Gene Therapy Studies
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments. Instead, the panel will assume an advisory role, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will assess gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs. The proposed change will take effect after a public comment period which runs through Oct. 16.
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FDA Approves First Generic EpiPen
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of the EpiPen has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, paving the way for more affordable versions of the lifesaving allergy emergency medication.
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Honey May Protect Children Who Swallow Button Batteries
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ingesting honey after swallowing a button battery may reduce injuries and improve outcomes in children, according to research published recently in Laryngoscope.
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QI Program Can Up Outcomes for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Significant improvements in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) outcomes can result from a comprehensive quality improvement (QI) program, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of Perinatology.
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CDC: Increase in Tianeptine Exposures From 2014 to 2017
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017 there was an increase in tianeptine exposure calls reported by poison control centers to the National Poison Data System, and they mainly occurred among those aged 21 to 40 years, according to research published in the Aug. 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Methylphenidate Good First-Choice Pediatric ADHD Drug
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Methylphenidate should be considered as a first choice for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, while amphetamines should be considered as a first choice in adults, according to a review published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
NIH Panel Will No Longer Review Gene Therapy Experiments
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments, according to a perspective piece published online Aug. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Ibalizumab Active in Multidrug Resistant HIV-1 Infection
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ibalizumab has antiviral activity among patients with multidrug resistant (MDR) HIV-1 infection, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Patient Portals Don’t Appear to Have Much Traction
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals have not taken off as expected, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Opioid Dependence More Common Before Spine Surgery
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid dependence is more likely to occur in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) before surgery than afterward, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.
ACA Coverage Gains Include Workers Without Insurance
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After the expanded coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were implemented in 2014, self-employed individuals and wage earners without employer-sponsored health coverage offers had coverage gains equal to or greater than those of people not employed, according to a report published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Liposomal Bupivacaine Block No Aid for Cesarean Pain
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A liposomal bupivacaine incisional block at the time of cesarean delivery does not improve pain scores in the first 48 hours postoperatively, according to a study published in the July issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Health Professionals Have Role in Warning About Impaired Driving
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians, pharmacists, and public health officials play an important role in educating individuals about the risks of impaired driving caused by marijuana or opioids, according to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) funded by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.
Talazoparib Beneficial in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Single-agent talazoparib provides significant benefit over standard chemotherapy for patients with advanced breast cancer and germline BRCA1/2 mutation, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Trends in HIV/AIDS Have Worsened in African-Americans
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African-American community; the recommendations are presented in an article published in the June issue of the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
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Labetalol Use Up for Patients With Preeclampsia and Asthma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Higher rates of β-blocker use are seen among women with preeclampsia and asthma, according to a study published in the July issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Triple Combo Blood Pressure Pill Can Improve BP Control
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with a pill combining low doses of three antihypertensive drugs results in an increased proportion of patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension achieving their target blood pressure (BP), according to a study published in the Aug. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Peer Comparisons Can Decrease Risky Prescribing Patterns
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Letters targeting high prescribers of quetiapine (Seroquel), an antipsychotic with potentially harmful side effects in the elderly, significantly reduces the number of prescriptions for patients in the Medicare program, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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6 Factors Related to Inclusion in Health Care Workplace ID’d
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are six broad factors that can affect inclusion within health care organizations, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in JAMA Network Open.
Four Pros to Integrating EHR, Practice Management Software
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consolidating electronic health records and practice management software allows practices to save time and money, make fewer mistakes, and reduce the risk of privacy breaches, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
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Prenatal Tdap Vaccination Not Linked to Autism Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Prenatal tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination is not associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Pediatrics.
CDC: EMS Administration of Naloxone Up From 2012 to 2016
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of naloxone administrations by emergency medical services (EMS) providers increased 75 percent from 2012 to 2016, according to research published in the Aug. 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
FDA Warns Against Long-Term Azithromycin Use for Some
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant not to take azithromycin, as long-term use of the antibiotic has been associated with increased risk of cancer relapse.
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CDC: Rates of Opioid Use Disorder Seen at Time of Delivery Up
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid use disorder rates at delivery more than quadrupled nationally from 1999 to 2014, according to research published in the Aug. 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Court Rules That U.S. Must Halt Sales of Pesticide Chlorpyrifos
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Environmental Protection Agency must remove the pesticide chlorpyrifos from sale in the United States within 60 days, a federal appeals court ordered yesterday.
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AMA Adopts Policy on Augmented Intelligence
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy on augmented intelligence, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Vaccinations Begin in Congo Ebola Outbreak
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Vaccinations against Ebola began yesterday in an effort to stem the latest outbreak in Congo.
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FDA Approves Poteligeo for Rare Types of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) injection has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with two rare types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Most Antipsychotics Prescribed in Nursing Homes Initiated There
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antipsychotic therapy prescribed to nursing home residents is mostly initiated in nursing homes rather than hospitals or outpatient settings, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Steps Taken to Increase Use of Electronic Tools in Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Additional codes have been approved by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel for chronic care remote physiologic monitoring and internet consultations, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
AMA Proposes Policy Opposing Medicaid ‘Lockout’ Provisions
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new policy opposing lockout provisions that block Medicaid patients from the program for lengthy periods and instead supporting allowing patients to reapply immediately for redetermination was adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates during the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago, according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
PCP Statin Prescribing Up With Automated Patient Dashboard
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Guideline-concordant statin prescribing rates are increased modestly with use of an automated dashboard using active choice framing and peer comparison, according to a study published online July 27 in JAMA Network Open.
AMA Calls for Greater Electronic Cigarette Regulation
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted several policies to improve the regulation of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Death Records Estimate 1,139 Deaths Due to Hurricane Maria
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Based on death records following Hurricane Maria, the hurricane-related mortality burden of excess deaths through December 2017 is estimated to be 1,139, higher than the official death toll of 64, according to a research letter published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Thirteen Confirmed Ebola Cases in Latest Congo Outbreak
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of confirmed cases in a new Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 13, including three deaths, the country’s health ministry said late Saturday. It also said there were 30 probable cases and 33 suspected cases, the Associated Press reported.
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Good Outcomes for HCV-Negative Recipients of HCV Kidneys
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-negative recipients of HCV-infected kidneys experience HCV cure and good quality of life, according to research published online Aug. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Some Bacteria Now More Tolerant of Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Some types of bacteria are developing tolerance of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in hospitals, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Variation in Specialty Drug Coverage Across Health Plans
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in specialty drug coverage across commercial health plans, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Ciprofloxacin May Up Likelihood of Aortic Dissection, Rupture
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a mouse model of moderate, sporadic aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD), ciprofloxacin increases susceptibility to aortic dissection and rupture, according to a study published online July 25 in JAMA Surgery.
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One-Quarter of Older U.S. Adults May Be Overtreated for Diabetes
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One-quarter of older adults with type 2 diabetes in the United States are tightly controlled using glucose-lowering medications with a high risk of hypoglycemia, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
ASCO Endorses SIO Guideline for Integrative Tx in Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has endorsed the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) guideline on the use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment, according to a special article published online June 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Rifampin Similar to Isoniazid for Preventing Active Tuberculosis
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A four-month regimen of rifampin is similar to a nine-month regimen of isoniazid for the prevention of active tuberculosis, according to a study published in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Doctors Can Help Children, Teens Adhere to Eczema Treatment Plan
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians can create an adherence protocol for patients, particularly children and teens, receiving treatment for atopic dermatitis, according to an article published in Dermatology Times.
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Groups Urge CMS to Reconsider Suspending Risk Adjustment
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a letter sent to Administrator Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), medical organizations are urging reconsideration of the decision to suspend payments to insurers as required under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program.
Increasing Cost of Insulin Has Serious Health Consequences
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The increasing cost of insulin is potentially exposing those with diabetes to serious health consequences, according to an American Diabetes Association statement published in the June issue of Diabetes Care.
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Health Affairs Announces Launch of New Three-Year Initiative
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A council on health care spending and value has been established by the journal Health Affairs.
New Ebola Outbreak in Congo
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Just a week after being declared Ebola-free, the Democratic Republic of Congo said yesterday that a new outbreak of the deadly virus has killed at least 20 people.
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How Doctors Receive Feedback Is Key for Antimicrobial Programs
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anticipation of how providers will receive feedback is important for antimicrobial stewardship programs to consider in informing educational messaging, according to a study published online June 7 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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New Short-Term Health Plans Have Large Coverage Gaps
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are large coverage gaps in short-term health plans that were approved Wednesday by the Trump administration, and are described by critics as “junk insurance.”
National Guideline Clearinghouse Offline Due to Funding Cuts
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC) websites were taken down on July 16 when funding for these federal databases ended, according to an announcement by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Tamsulosin Does Not Appear to Promote Urinary Stone Passage
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Tamsulosin does not significantly increase the urinary stone passage rate compared with placebo, according to a study published online June 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Protease Inhibitors May Worsen Outcomes for HIV + Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI) therapy is associated with worse outcomes, including death, in patients with HIV and heart failure, according to a study published in the July 31 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Evidence Exists for Persistence, Transmission of Ebola Virus
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is evidence for persistence of Ebola virus and transmission from a persistently infected individual, according to case study published online July 23 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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