Winter 2009

Although utilization of benzodiazepines is expected to continue to increase, overall class costs should remain low because of the availability of generics.

A new National Institutes of Health office to study translational research would help bridge the gap between basic discoveries and treatments and therapies.

A value-based benefit design program for prescription medications for asthma, hypertension, and diabetes could result in increased prescription use and decreased healthcare utilization and costs.

An opioid preferred drug list was not associated with an increase in emergency department visits or hospitalizations in a Medicaid population.

In uninsured, indigent, and low-income patients with hyperlipidemia, optimum pravastatin refill adherence was observed with a 90-day dispensing supply.

Retrospective analysis of claims data showed that persistence with amiodarone and sotalol was generally poor.

Ms Nayer discusses the success of value-based insurance design in improving health and productivity, and lowering healthcare costs in a sustained, predictable way.

Ultimately, the overriding goal of a P&T committee must be to obtain insights and perspectives from all who are touched by the process.

In the President�s Address, Dr Pezalla observed that any healthcare reform will require the hard work of managing both the cost and quality of care.

Effective, targeted communication is essential to the success of a value-based benefit design.