Julie Grabow, an oncologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, recently prescribed an exciting new therapy for a 60-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer — Afinitor made by Novartis. There was a catch, though. Novartis is charging $10,000 per month for the drug
Washington ranked fourth highest nationally in per-capita prescribing of methadone in 2006 (the most recent year for which reliable data is available) and 11th for oxycodone — the two biggest killers.
Foster kids were more likely to be prescribed five or more psychotropic drugs at a time and at doses that exceed the maximum FDA-approved levels.
Because of increases in the number of generics, the average daily cost of drugs dropped one-third from 2005 to 2010, and should drop another third between now and 2015.
Last week the AP reported that at least 15 patients have died as a result of drug shortages, and all those involved believe shortages are the new normal.
What’s screening tests should a woman have? And what are the benefits and risks of different treatments? New guidebooks provide research-based advice.
Employers struggling to keep down insurance costs are increasingly requiring workers to pay a percentage of high-cost drugs rather than a modest co-pay.
“Studies consistently show that up to half of patients do not take their medicines as prescribed.”
HHS Inspector General faults drug companies for aggressively—and illegally—marketing these products to doctors for treatment of dementia and other off-label uses.
For a medicine to work for you—and not against you—you’ve got to take the right dose. But the markings on cough, cold and other over-the-counter drug dispensers aren’t always clear or consistent with the directions on the medicine’s package. Here are 10 tips on how to protect yourself and your family.
The brand-name pharmaceutical industry has a drug problem: All 10 of the most prescribed medicines in the U.S. last year were generics, led by the defending champion generic equivalents of the pain-reliever Vicodin.
Consumers often find it easier to get time with a pharmacist than a doctor, so drug stores are offering more outreach programs about chronic health problems.
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
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Seattle Times Health News
Experts divided over recommendation to screen children for cholesterol
Some clinicians say universal screening is an important tool to help identify children who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol and to pinpoint others who could benefit from treatment. Others express concerns that screening may do more harm than good.
People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Peeking in on your doctor’s notes
Although federal law guarantees patients the right to examine and get copies of their medical records, providers haven’t always made it easy to do so. But the movement to give patients direct access to their health information has picked up steam, and policymakers have encouraged it as a way to empower patients to help manage their health and their medical care.
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