IMS Health (NYSE: RX), the world’s leading provider of market intelligence to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, announced the launch of IMS Aggregate Spend Compliance Services, a comprehensive set of solutions to help pharmaceutical and medical device companies comply with the growing number of federal and state transparency and marketing disclosure laws in the U.S., known as “aggregate spend” reporting regulations…

A comprehensive study of oral oncolytic (anti-cancer) drug treatments revealed that while their use is increasingly common, cancer patients frequently face barriers to accessing oral drugs compared to those delivered intravenously in oncology practice settings. Additionally, while oral anti-cancer drugs have advantages such as patient convenience, they require many crucial procedures by cancer treatment professionals — including management of side effects and monitoring for patient compliance but these key services are not reimbursed by Medicare or other payers…

The Wall Street Journal reports that insurers are bringing their insurance plans in compliance with new rules and laws that make mental health and substance abuse insurance coverage available to millions of Americans. “The law, called the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, ensures that employees receive the same level of mental-health benefits as they do for medical and surgical care…

Novus Scientific Pte. Ltd announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the company 510(k) clearance to market the TIGR™ Matrix Surgical Mesh, for use in reinforcement of soft tissues where weakness exists. TIGR™ Matrix Surgical Mesh is a 100 percent resorbable, synthetic matrix, knitted from two different resorbable fibers that degrade at different rates following implantation. This unique patented dual-fibre design provides an initial high strength / high stability configuration, with gradually increasing compliance over time as the product is resorbed…

A reduction in hospital mortality from severe sepsis and septic shock was associated with participation in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign performance improvement initiative, according to an article published simultaneously in the February issues of Critical Care Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine and posted ahead of print at http://www.ccmjournal.com. “A multifaceted performance improvement initiative was successful in changing treatment behavior as evidenced by a significant increase in compliance with sepsis performance measures,” says lead author Mitchell M.

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, working in partnership with USA Today, writes about the mandate included in pending health reform proposals. “Both the House and Senate health care overhaul bills require most Americans to carry health insurance or pay a penalty. Yet government mandates don’t necessarily ensure compliance: Not all Americans buckle up, or get their children vaccinated.

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, working in partnership with USA Today, writes about the mandate included in pending health reform proposals. “Both the House and Senate health care overhaul bills require most Americans to carry health insurance or pay a penalty. Yet government mandates don’t necessarily ensure compliance: Not all Americans buckle up, or get their children vaccinated. Some health experts worry the proposed penalties are too low and that many younger, healthier people may agree with Antonelli, opting to pay the fee and gamble on their health..

Older adults experience a number of medication-related problems, including under treatment, suboptimal drugs, suboptimal dosing, and non-adherence, which can have negative effects on their quality of life. Now new research1, from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that blacks have more medication-related problems than whites, and non-adherence to medical regimens is a particular issue for this group.

More employers are taking steps to improve their employees’ health by making sure they take their medicines as prescribed, a move that could stave off more serious and costly health consequences, according to a new report sponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).

Emory University Rollins School of Public Health researchers presented on a range of topics at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting in Philadelphia, including a study that examined compliance with national recommendations that a physician screen chest pain patients within 10 minutes of their arrival to the Emergency Department (ED).