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Bi-partisan pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform bill gets endorsement from AARP

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 439 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Pharmacy
  1. A new bill to reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) is getting support from AARP, which is important for many Medicare beneficiaries.
  2. The bill aims to change how PBMs are paid, moving away from linking their fees to drug prices, which can lead to higher costs for patients.
  3. Bipartisan support for this reform shows that both political sides agree on the need to address high prescription drug prices.

The Uncertain Origins of Aspirin

Asimov Press • 373 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Pharmacy
  1. The origins of aspirin are complicated and often mixed up with myths and folklore. Many believe it comes from ancient uses of willow bark, but the evidence is not clear.
  2. While willow bark contains salicin, which can turn into salicylic acid in the body, it takes an impractical amount to achieve effects similar to modern aspirin. Real studies on its effectiveness in pain relief are limited.
  3. Aspirin's actual history can be traced back to the late 18th century, with significant contributions from figures like Reverend Stone and chemists at Bayer, showcasing how important accurate references and evidence are in understanding scientific developments.

Big Insurance in-fighting: why it's so important that Cigna is suing CVS

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Pharmacy
  1. Cigna is suing CVS to stop them from hiring a former executive, citing a non-compete agreement. This shows how competitive the big insurance companies are over valuable staff.
  2. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are key players in health insurance, making more money than some health plans. They act as middlemen between patients and drug companies, but their operations are often unclear.
  3. Both political parties are focusing on reforming PBMs because they're seen as raising drug costs. There's growing legal pressure and proposed bills aimed at improving transparency and fairness in their practices.

Theriac: ancient miracle or modern mirage?

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💾 History Pharmacy
  1. Theriac, an ancient panacea, was once believed to be a miracle cure for various diseases, originating with Mithridates VI as a remedy for poison.
  2. Scepticism around theriac's effectiveness dates back centuries, with concerns about its elaborate recipe, potential for adverse effects, and inconsistent composition.
  3. Dr. William Heberden, an 18th-century physician, criticized theriac as ineffective and potentially dangerous, leading to its decline in popularity over time.

The FTC decided not to investigate PBM business practices. But there is a silver lining.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 99 implied HN points • 18 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Pharmacy
  1. The FTC decided not to investigate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), but some commissioners are still concerned about rising out-of-pocket costs for patients at pharmacies. This is a positive sign for future inquiries about healthcare costs.
  2. Many people with insurance are struggling to afford their medications because of high deductibles and costs demanded by their insurers. This issue is causing serious financial problems for families.
  3. Three big companies control a large portion of the PBM market and are making significant profits while many insured Americans can't afford necessary medicines. The investigation should consider how these companies' practices affect patients.
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