November 2016
Pennsylvania Legislature Passes Legislation to Combat Opioid Addiction
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed into law a set of new legislation designed to help combat the current opioid addiction epidemic.
The new laws will limit the amount of opioids both emergency room physicians and pediatricians can prescribe to no more than a weeks supply (with limited exceptions), and require healthcare providers to refer to a state opioid database before writing prescriptions. Additionally, they are also require medical education to include “safe opioid prescribing” curricula and emphasize the use of other treatments in pain management. They also call for the establishment of safe drug take back programs throughout the state.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed into law a set of new legislation designed to help combat the current opioid addiction epidemic.
The new laws will limit the amount of opioids both emergency room physicians and pediatricians can prescribe to no more than a weeks supply (with limited exceptions), and require healthcare providers to refer to a state opioid database before writing prescriptions. Additionally, they are also require medical education to include “safe opioid prescribing” curricula and emphasize the use of other treatments in pain management. They also call for the establishment of safe drug take back programs throughout the state.
Update: Mylan and Other Pharmaceutical Companies Under Federal Investigation for Antitrust Violation
The United States Justice Department has launched an investigation of a number of pharmaceutical companies for price fixing the list prices for many older generic medications. The Justice Department launched the investigation after public outrage led to a Congressional Report on the inflation of many drugs, including a number of antibiotics.
This investigation could potentially lead to a federal antitrust lawsuit against each of the companies being investigated.
The United States Justice Department has launched an investigation of a number of pharmaceutical companies for price fixing the list prices for many older generic medications. The Justice Department launched the investigation after public outrage led to a Congressional Report on the inflation of many drugs, including a number of antibiotics.
This investigation could potentially lead to a federal antitrust lawsuit against each of the companies being investigated.
CMS Releases New Rule for Medicare Quality Payment Program (MACRA)
In May 2016, CMS proposed a new rule creating a Medicare Quality Payment Program (MACRA) to move towards a value based payment system aimed to improve the quality of services paid for by the program.
The payment system was finalized last month and provides physicians and other health care providers to choose between two options to optimize quality and ensure more patient centered care to allow for a smoother transition away from traditional fee for service payment programs already in place.
In May 2016, CMS proposed a new rule creating a Medicare Quality Payment Program (MACRA) to move towards a value based payment system aimed to improve the quality of services paid for by the program.
The payment system was finalized last month and provides physicians and other health care providers to choose between two options to optimize quality and ensure more patient centered care to allow for a smoother transition away from traditional fee for service payment programs already in place.