Latest News On Prescription Drugs

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Out-Of-Pocket Costs Put HIV Prevention Drug Out Of Reach For Many At Risk

KFF Health News Original

It’s getting increasingly difficult for patients to afford Truvada, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, because of the drug’s high price and insurance company efforts to restrict the use of coupons that shield patients from it.

Doling Out Pain Pills Post-Surgery: An Ingrown Toenail Not The Same As A Bypass

KFF Health News Original

As the opioid epidemic rages, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and researcher is leading an effort to curb overprescribing by offering procedure-specific guidelines to ensure that post-surgical patients leave the hospital with enough, but not too much, pain medication.

Vermont Legislators Pass A Drug Importation Law. So What?

KFF Health News Original

The first-in-the-nation measure would empower Vermont to set up a wholesale program to import prescription drugs from Canada. But it still will have to get federal buy-in before it is operational.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The Politics Of Rising Premiums And Menu Labeling

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News discuss the latest on the politics of rising premiums, GOP efforts to take back money from the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the controversy over new rules requiring calorie information on menus. Plus for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.

Midterm Elections Are Shaping Up To Be A Referendum On Trumpism

KFF Health News Original

Even voters who say they are more enthusiastic about voting in this congressional election than in past ones are not motivated by any specific issue. But, according to a poll out Thursday, health care policies rank high among topics voters want candidates to address.

Use Of Psychiatric Drugs Soars In California Jails

KFF Health News Original

A combination of factors has led to an “astronomical” increase in mentally ill inmates, followed by increased efforts to identify those who need prescriptions. Some say the meds are underprescribed; others, that they are given inappropriately, without the benefit of comprehensive treatment.

‘Pharma Bro’ Shkreli Is In Prison, But Daraprim’s Price Is Still High

KFF Health News Original

The saga of Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals focused a lot of attention on prescription drug prices, but no reversal of the exponential price increases for the lifesaving drug Daraprim resulted. The story offers an object lesson into the interworkings of the pharmaceutical market.