Effects of a medication assistance program on health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: The effects of a clinic-based medication assistance program (MAP) on the health outcomes and medication use of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, data from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences pharmacy-managed MAP and outpatient pharmacy databases were collected for adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were monitored in the university's internal medicine clinic one year before and after enrollment in the MAP. Data on patient demographics, medication use, and disease indicators (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA(1c)], high-density-lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels) were collected for the year before enrollment and for one year after enrollment.

Calcium transients regulate titin organization during myofibrillogenesis.

Titin has a Ca2+-dependent kinase domain and may act as a molecular template for myofibrillogenesis. Therefore, we examined the relationship between endogenous Ca2+ transients and titin organization in embryonic myocytes. When transients were blocked during sarcomere assembly, titin organization was disrupted.

Effects on the cost and utilization of proton pump inhibitors from adding over-the counter omeprazole to drug benefit coverage in a state employee health plan.

Objective: To evaluate the financial effects in a state employee health plan of a change in the drug coverage policy to include over-the-counter (OTC) omeprazole in a tier-copayment drug benefit design that favored the OTC drug.

Methods: The policy change in the Arkansas State Employee Benefit Division (EBD) involved 2 principal parts: OTC omeprazole placed in a new OTC copayment tier (5 dollars) and an increase in pharmacy reimbursement to a 13 dollars dispensing fee for each OTC omeprazole prescription. The prescription claims database was used to examine utilization and cost data for beneficiaries who received prescriptions for a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) during the 2-month period (January and February 2004) preceding the change in policy to cover OTC omeprazole compared with the 2-month period following the policy change (March and April 2004).