drugs
Almost half of Americans use a prescription medication each month
Forty eight percent of Americans reported that they had taken a prescription medication in the last month, according to new numbers from the CDC for 2007-2008. That number is up from 44% in the last ten years. Not only are more of us taking medications, but we are taking more drugs. The percentage of Americans…
Read MoreCT visit from the FMAP van, nursing homes without air conditioning, and more Medicare donut hole checks mailed
Wednesday the Driving for Quality Care RV stopped in Manchester to bring attention to Congress’ failure to pass an extension of the FMAP increase. FMAP is the matching rate the federal government pays CT for Medicaid spending. The 2009 federal stimulus bill raised the rates for all states, but that increase is scheduled to end…
Read MoreFewer physicians accepting visits from drug reps in the office
The Wall Street Journal blog reports on a new survey of US physicians that found the number who are “rep-accessible”, or willing to meet with drug company sales rep.s in the office, is down 18% from last year. However, still 58% of doctors take meetings with at least 70% of the reps who call and…
Read MorePrescription assistance bus in CT
The “Help is Here” bus travelling across the country offering help applying for drug company assistance programs is in CT this week. Drug company assistance applications can be confusing; each company has different eligibility standards and discounts vary widely. The assistance program you apply to depends on which drugs you are taking. Questions you will…
Read MoreLast year drug costs rose for children, were down for seniors, and CT prescription use was below average
An annual report on drug costs and utilization by Medco, a pharmacy services company that covers over 60 million people, found that prescription drug costs rose by 3.3% in 2008 fueled mainly by price increases. For the first in ten years, utilization of prescriptions actually decreased (by 1.1%). Use of drugs by children grew by…
Read MoreUS Supreme Court rejects federal pre-emption of state law in VT drug case
In a 6 to 3 vote, the Supreme Court Wednesday held that federal law does not pre-empt the right of patients to sue in state court over a federally regulated medication. The case involved a VT musician who lost her arm after Phenergan, an anti-nausea drug, was administered by “IV push” rather than “IV drip”.…
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