Washington Watch
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<ѻýҕl>Medtronic's Infuse Moves From Operating Room to Courtroomѻýҕl>
An investigative series by ѻýҕl/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been tracking the spinal fusion device called Infuse in a 4-year-long series and now reports how a flawed FDA system for device approval may have led to a long string of adverse events culminating in thousands of liability suits.
May 18, 2014
<ѻýҕl>FDA Slashes Starting Dose for Lunestaѻýҕl>
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Patients starting on the sleep drug eszopiclone (Lunesta) should take no more than 1 mg at bedtime -- one-third the current label-recommended dose -- because of the risk of next-day impairment, the FDA said Thursday.
May 15, 2014
<ѻýҕl>5 Ways Doctors Can Use Data Analyticsѻýҕl>
Data analytics takes claims data, a providers' electronic health record, and any of piece of information available to help physicians become more aware of the patients they're treating. Here are five ways the technology can help meet payers' demands for higher-quality, higher-value care.
Mar 01, 2014
<ѻýҕl>Pay and Practice: Are Neurologists Primary Care Docs?ѻýҕl>
WASHINGTON -- Neurology isn't often mentioned in the same breath as primary care, but the American Academy of Neurology is again lobbying to gain that sobriquet -- this time to take advantage of a recent policy change that benefits primary care providers.
Jan 15, 2014
<ѻýҕl>Droxidopa for OH Slammed by FDA Reviewersѻýҕl>
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Droxidopa (Northera) is getting a second look by an FDA advisory committee for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension stemming from neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, but an agency review doesn't look promising for approval.
Jan 13, 2014
<ѻýҕl>10 Questions: Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (R-Ga.)ѻýҕl>
If you could change one thing about the healthcare system, what would it be? Eliminate Obamacare, says Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (R-Ga.). That's his answer to just one of the 10 Questions the ѻýҕl staff is asking leading clinicians, researchers, and leaders in their community to get their personal views on their chosen profession. In this series we share their uncensored responses.
Jan 03, 2014
<ѻýҕl>Killing Pain: Tramadol the 'Safe' Drug of Abuseѻýҕl>
Almost 2 decades have passed since the FDA approved tramadol as a 'safe' opioid, but the intervening years provide evidence to question that 'safe' claim, as this latest investigation by John Fauber for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-ѻýҕl revealed.
Dec 22, 2013
<ѻýҕl>SGR Repeal Still Gets AMA Supportѻýҕl>
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- The AMA's policymaking House of Delegates voted nearly unanimously to continue its support of congressional efforts to repeal Medicare's payment formula despite its opposition to a 10-year pay freeze that's part of a draft proposal.
Nov 18, 2013
<ѻýҕl>Concierge Medicine Gains Groundѻýҕl>
SAN DIEGO -- Concierge doctors are spreading the word that it's possible to operate a direct primary care practice, make a living, and avoid one of the biggest headaches for family medicine physicians -- dealing with health insurance companies.
Sep 28, 2013