Latest California Healthline Stories
High-Priced Drug Could Be Deal Changer
Sovaldi, a drug for treating hepatitis C, has the potential to be a canary in the coal mine of drug policy. Government officials, insurance companies and consumers in many countries are grappling with the problem of how to pay for the effective but costly medication.
New Hepatitis C Drug Is Center Stage in Legislative Debate Over Mandates
Sovaldi, a new medication approved for public use in December 2013, has insurers worried. At $1,000 per pill, the drug is expensive but effective in treating hepatitis C. The Legislature is considering a bill to limit insurers passing along drug costs to consumers.
Drug Take-Back Bill Faces Opposition
A new bill in the California Legislature would require drug makers to create, finance and manage a statewide system for collecting and disposing of leftover prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The pharmaceutical industry and other business interests are lining up in opposition.
New Stewardship Responsibilities, Costs Proposed for Drug, Needle Manufacturers
Dealing with medical waste — unused drugs and used needles and syringes — is generating new policy questions in California: Whose responsibility is it and who pays?
Physician Group in Favor of Provisions Dropped From New California Law
A California law passed last session to crack down on prescription drug misuse had one requirement pulled from the bill, and now a national physician group is calling for renewed commitment to that requirement.
New Law, Funding Aim To Reinvigorate State’s Rx Drug Monitoring Program
Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, Tom Lenox of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Jonathan Lucas of the San Diego County medical examiner’s office and Richard Thorp of the California Medical Association spoke with California Healthline about the growing concern among state and federal officials over prescription drug misuse, and the new law in California to fight it.
Rx Drug Donation System Hopes To Grow
SIRUM — a Stanford-bred program that allows unused medications at hospitals and nursing homes to be donated to safety-net clinics — hopes to expand within California and serve as a model for other states.
Assembly Approves Biosimilars Bill
The Assembly yesterday approved a bill to establish pharmacy ground rules for biosimilar medications — when they eventually do come to market.
We asked stakeholders and consumer advocates to weigh in on a recurring debate in the California Legislature regarding regulating “step therapy,” a practice designed to minimize costs and risks of prescription drugs.
Contested Biosimilars Bill Clears Committee
A bill to regulate a new kind of biologic medication cleared a big legislative hurdle yesterday, setting the stage for the last showdown on the Assembly floor over a surprisingly controversial measure.