How drugs make it on to formularies has always puzzled me. After listening to a talk on the process, I’m even more mystified.
Feb
23
Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Category: Pharmacy, PBMs, and Pharma costs
Feb
21
I’ll be releasing the fourth annual survey of prescription drug management in workers comp in a few weeks. Here are a few early findings.
Continue reading Managing drugs in workers comp – the 4th annual survey
Feb
19
Actiq is a narcotic taken in lollypop form, a technique that gets the drug to the pain centers quickly. Developed for break-through cancer pain, evidence now suggests that only 10% of Actiq users have cancer.The high-powered narcotic has been the subject of several recent reports and a state attorney general investigation concerning off-label use.
Jan
18
Despite what some Congressional Dems say, requiring CMS Secretary Mike Leavitt to negotiate drug prices with big pharma is not going to save us gazillions of dollars.
It also won’t lead to a sudden decline in pharmaceutical research (sorry, Manhattan Institute). It’s good political theater, but the real impact will be minimal.
Unless…
Continue reading How to make negotiating drug prices pay off
Jan
16
In response to my post on new narcotic Fentora, which was picked up by Kevin, M.D. over at his blog, a physician reads the riot act to a commenter who said that docs should be blamed for any misuse.
Jan
16
Pundits and experts on the right side of the political spectrum are claiming that giving CMS the authority to negotiate drug prices will cost Americans $500 billion in lost productivity due to an annual loss of five million life years.
There are so many flaws in their arguments it’s hard to know where to start, but let’s plunge in.
Jan
16
Workers comp payers will be seeing a new drug on their top 25 lists soon – Fentora. While it may take a couple of years to attain Actiq’s top-five status, it will.
Jan
15
The outcome of the “can we or can’t we negotiate with drug manufacturers?” discussion is becoming clearer, as political realities appear to be saying “we can in some limited circumstances.”
Jan
5
Bob says it better than I could.
Jan
4
Boston’s Mayor is outraged at Humana’s decision to raise premiums on it’s basic Part D plan by 130%. Humana’s stockholders should be equally upset.