FDA Greenlights Diabetes Drug Combo

Breaking news out of Pharmacy Times today is that the FDA just sent the green light to diabetes drug combo, AstraZeneca’s fixed-dose combination drug, Qtern (10 mg dapagliflozin and 5 mg saxagliptin), for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise. 

Jennifer Barrett writes, "The drug is indicated to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes who have been unable to achieve glycemic control with dapagliflozin or who are already treated with dapagliflozin and saxagiptin." An oral medicine option will also be available to patients who may benefit from controlled blood sugar levels with a once daily tablet. 

Read more on the story by clicking HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

'Adverse Event' Not the Same as 'Side Effect'

Through our blog, we pride ourselves in keeping you informed with all things pharmacy. Today we're bringing you an article out of Pharmacy Times that explains the difference between the two terms, 'adverse event' and 'side effect'.

Shelby Leheny explains, "Adverse events are unintended pharmacologic effects that occur when a medication is administered correctly while a side effect is a secondary unwanted effect that occurs due to drug therapy."

These two terms are often used as synonyms for one another when in fact, they are entirely different. Read more on how and why these concepts are so different in the full article HERE!

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Technology

Today's blog post features an article written by Elizabeth Zimmermann Young of the Mayo Clinic. As the world of healthcare continues to introduce more digital innovations, some of the questionnaires that patients are still required to fill out visit after visit are becoming irrelevant, leading to a disconnect between patient and doctor. The Mayo Clinic has begun to introduce a digital questionnaire on an iPad that prompts the patient with the initial basic questions and forms new ones based off of symptoms or concerns that the patient describes.

Dr. Uitti of the Mayo Clinic writes, “Our goal is to help drive conversations between patients and providers that will lead to more efficient and effective care,” he says. “In addition, we believe this will improve satisfaction with the health care experience and reduce costs.”

 

Read the article in its entirety by clicking HERE!

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Aetna's Expensive Breakup with Humana

Aetna and Humana have officially broke off their year and half long relationship and the result is going to be expensive for Aetna.

Shelby Livingston writes, "Aetna Chairman and CEO Mark Bertolini said Tuesday that “the current environment makes it too challenging to continue pursuing the transaction” and both companies need to move on. Humana spokesman Tom Noland said the Louisville, Ky.-based insurer knew from the outset that the merger might fall through and is “fully prepared to continue to go forward as an independent company."

Learn more about this developing headline by reading the full Modern Healthcare article HERE!

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.

Talking Pill Bottles: Boom or Bust in the Digital Health Era?

Today's blog features an exciting new product that starting to take on the health care industry. Talking pill bottles ("TPB") are designed to provide verbal information in conjunction with the traditional pill order in order to provide more adherence to the drug.

The main idea with this new innovation is that a healthcare professional would record verbal instructions and cues for patients with a TPB so that the patient had a better understanding of the medication that they were taking. Although in a recent study 70% of patients found the TPB helpful, many wished that the bottle reminded them when to take the medication in addition to the instructions. As to whether the TPB is actually providing more adherence has not been confirmed.

Want to learn more? Check out the full article HERE!

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings. 

The Changing Landscape of the Pharmacy Practice

Join HRA, one of the world's leading healthcare research organizations and Dr. Ed Cohen to discuss the changing landscape of the pharmacy practice. This webcast begins TODAY at 2pm so be sure to join in! Among the topics to be discussed are: 

• changing buying habits of the pharmacy community,
• evolving role of the pharmacist in the patient experience
• the impact of technology and automation, and more.

 

Click HERE to join the webcast! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings. 

Smart Decisions Made Simple

Today's blog features the Express Scripts mobile app that recently made some updates to create an even more personalized experience for members, providing on the go access to benefit information. The app itself features a Price Medication tool, which allows members to compare prescription drug prices from up 10 retailers, view driving directions to the closest pharmacies and patients can also view the generic equivalent or generic alternative costs for comparison when available. 

 

Learn more about this new exciting convenience by clicking HERE! 

Performance Pharmacy Solutions (PPS) is a unique pharmacy benefit procurement platform developed by HORIZON Health Ventures to efficiently and effectively place, manage and oversee our self-funded client's pharmacy benefit management programs. The PPS platform provides turnkey solutions with proven market-leading PBM partners that offer, on average, 10-15% savings.