Express Scripts to buy medical test gatekeeper for $3.6B
The deal comes as Express Scripts faces challenges on a number of fronts, including the possible loss of its largest customer, Indianapolis-based health-insurance giant Anthem Inc.
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IU announces $50M plan to tackle growing opioid epidemic
The university will hire 10 faculty members and team with the state and major health systems on what it calls a comprehensive plan to understand and deal with addictions, which are costing Indiana more than $1 billion a year.
Legal fight looms over California’s new drug pricing law
California has passed a law requiring pharmaceutical companies to explain their price increases, escalating the state-by-state battle between lawmakers trying to bring more transparency to the industry’s practices and drugmakers that oppose the efforts.
FDA approving drugs at accelerated pace
Thirty-four new drugs—treating everything from cancer to rare genetic diseases—have been approved so far this year. That’s on pace to nearly double last year’s approvals.
Trendy high-deductible health insurance plans lead patients to skip care
High-deductible health plans are booming in popularity, but, in an effort to save money, too many people are skipping preventive care even though such visits are covered 100 percent.
UPDATE: Indianapolis preparing to sue opioid makers, distributors
The city of Indianapolis plans to file a “robust lawsuit” against several drug companies, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday morning.
FDA acts to encourage generic competition for complex drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is opening a new front in its efforts to reduce high drug prices by encouraging development of generic versions of hard-to-make medicines.
Trump may choose Pence ally Verma to replace ousted Price
Mentioned as a possible permanent successor to ousted health secretary Tom Price is former Indiana health care policy consultant Seema Verma, a protege of Vice President Mike Pence.
Struggling Endocyte spending millions for rights to prostate-cancer drug
After struggling for more than 20 years to develop cancer drugs without success, West Lafayette-based Endocyte Inc. is pausing it own R&D efforts to concentrate on a potential blockbuster drug from a German chemical company.
Lilly names new CFO, head of R&D
The appointments mark the latest changes in the Indianapolis-based drugmaker’s executive suite since David Ricks took over as CEO in January.
FDA approves Lilly drug for common advanced breast cancer
U.S. regulators have approved a new medicine for treating a common type of breast cancer after it has spread to other parts of the body.
FDA’s consumer protection warnings falling under Trump
From January to July, the agency sent 265 warning letters to companies, notifying them of what it alleged to be serious violations of federal rules. That’s the lowest tally for the first seven months of any year since 2008.
Opioid-abusers on payroll create risks at workplace
Castlight Health, a benefits platform, estimates that opioid abusers cost employers nearly twice as much in health-care expenses as their clean co-workers—an extra $8,600 a year.
EILENBERG: Is pharma the cause or solution to the opioid crisis?
Unfortunately, what started as a solution for pain turned into a crisis that is killing people.
Health Care & Benefits Power Breakfast: Panelists discuss ER care, nutrition, opiates and more
A sampling of panelists’ conversation at IBJ’s Sept. 21 Health Care & Benefits Power Breakfast.
Indiana rates to climb more than 20 percent on Obamacare exchanges
Hoosiers buying health insurance on the Obamacare marketplace will pay an average of nearly $500 a month in premiums next year, a sharp rise over current rates.
Wanted: 1 million people to study genes, habits, health
In a quest to end cookie-cutter health care, U.S. researchers are getting ready to recruit more than 1 million people for an unprecedented study to learn how our genes, environments and lifestyles interact—and to finally customize ways to prevent and treat disease. Why does one sibling get sick but not another? Why does a drug […]
IU, Purdue get $2.55M to study breast cancer
Researchers at Indiana University and Purdue University have received $2.55 million from Susan G. Komen to study possible new treatments.
Indiana’s chief judge to serve on opioid panel
The panel will help promote collaboration among treatment providers, criminal justice systems and child welfare agencies.
Hospital system leases north-side building
St. Vincent Health filed an application Sept. 22 with the state, seeking to remodel 192,327 square feet of the Parkwood West Building, 250 West 96th St., for administrative offices.