Latest California Healthline Stories
State Gets Grant To Curb Opioid Misuse
California is getting a $3.7 million federal grant to help prevent misuse of prescribed opioid medications.
ACA Improved Rx Drug Access, But Some Still Face Barriers to Finding Best Coverage
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans to include coverage for prescription drugs, but differing medication formularies, incomplete coverage information and other obstacles could be keeping consumers from actually using those benefits.
Debate over mandatory use of California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System continues to simmer, as other states adopt mandatory compliance and the California Medical Association continues to oppose it.
Hearing Targets Foster Kids’ Medication
Foster children are prescribed psychotropic medications at a higher rate than other kids, and lawmakers convened to find out what’s being done about it.
New Study Offers Drug Pricing Lessons from Abroad, Urges Changes in U.S.
Authors of a new study on prescription drug pricing techniques used in other countries say it’s time for U.S. policymakers to take action to stem the rise in drug prices — especially for specialty drugs which account for a disproportionate amount of spending.
Drug Price Transparency Bill Shelved in California, Push Continues
A bill calling for drugmakers to explain high prices for specialty drugs is back on the drawing board in California, but other states and the Obama administration are pushing for more drug pricing transparency.
Drug Costs, Restrictions Get Hearing
The Assembly health committee heard and passed two bills yesterday dealing with the rising costs of specialty drugs.
A bill directing California to join 15 other states allowing terminally ill patients expanded access to experimental drugs cleared a committee hurdle yesterday.
HIV Medication Decision in Florida May Have Implications in California
A lawsuit in Florida triggered an insurer’s decision to lower the price of certain HIV medications for consumers by assigning the drugs to the generic drug tier. Advocates say the move may affect California’s pricing.
Challenged in Court, Killed in Legislature, Drug Take-Back Taking Root in Counties
San Francisco supervisors this month unanimously approved an ordinance requiring drugmakers to pay for and administer a program to dispose of unused and expired drugs. The idea, rejected last year by the state Legislature, is being challenged in U.S. Supreme Court.