Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Hospitals Employ New Strategies In Attempt To Control Rising Drug Costs
The Washington Post: Rattled By Drug Price Increases, Hospitals Seek Ways To Stay On Guard
Doctors at the University Hospitals of Cleveland see an immediately recognizable symbol pop up alongside certain drugs when they sign in online these days to prescribe medications for patients: $$$$$. The dollar signs, affixed by hospital administrators, carry a not-so-subtle message: Think twice before using this drug. Pick an alternative if possible. The Zagat-like approach is just one of the strategies hospitals nationwide are using to try to counter drug costs. (Dennis, 3/13)
The Fiscal Times: Democratic Senators Demand Investigation Of $3 Billion In Wasted Bio-Drugs
Efforts to combat pricey drug costs that are blowing a hole in the pockets of consumers and the budgets of government agencies picked up a little steam on Thursday. Eleven Democratic senators – including presidential candidate Bernie Sanders -- pressed the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the impact of pharmaceutical companies selling “one size fits all” vials of drugs to treat cancer and other deadly diseases. (Pianin, 3/11)
