Drug

Department of Justice files suit against Johnson & Johnson in connection with kickback scheme with Omnicare

January 19, 2010

The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for its alleged role in a kickback scheme with Omnicare, the nation's largest long-term care pharmacy chain.

Study: Nursing home residents with most to gain from Medicare Part D drug program are least likely to enroll

January 14, 2010

Many nursing home residents benefit from Medicare Part D but don't enroll in the prescription drug program, according to a recent study.

Cardin amendment would work to expand assisted living residents' access to prescription drugs

December 10, 2009

Assisted living providers and advocates are cheering this week after Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced an amendment to the healthcare reform bill that seeks to improve some assisted living residents' access to the Medicare Part D prescription drug program and Medicaid benefits.

FDA launches medication safety initiative

November 06, 2009

The Food & Drug Administration this week introduced the Safe Use Initiative to reduce preventable harm from medications and improve patient health.

Agency's crackdown on drug thefts hurts nursing home residents, senators say

October 30, 2009

The Drug Enforcement Agency's efforts to combat narcotics abuse and theft in nursing homes actually negatively affect those residents and hospice care patients who need pain medications, two senators recently argued.

Lawmakers look to eliminate Medicare Part D gap earlier than planned

October 28, 2009

Lawmakers are stepping up efforts to close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, a coverage gap in the prescription drug program for seniors. Political pressure may be driving them to change their timetable.

Higher doses of vitamin D help prevent falls, study finds

October 07, 2009

Seniors aged 65 and older can significantly reduce their risk of falls by taking vitamin D supplements every day. But they need to take more of the vitamin than previously thought, according to the results of a new study.

Heparin to be less potent, FDA says

October 06, 2009

Manufacturers are expected to begin shipping a new kind of heparin product on Thursday.

Pfizer to pay record $2.3 billion for promoting drugs unlawfully

September 03, 2009

Pfizer Inc., the largest drug maker in the world, will pay a record $2.3 billion in criminal and civil fines over illegal promotions of four prescription drugs.

States may suffer in long run with cuts to services for elderly, news accounts suggest

July 31, 2009

In an effort to overcome budget deficits for the new fiscal year, many states have reduced Medicaid spending on services for low-income seniors. And that could have negative long-term implications, according to news reports.

Experimental new Alzheimer's treatment could recover memory

July 16, 2009

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development-especially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.