National Volume-Based Procurement (NVBP) exclusively for insulin: towards affordable access in China and beyond.

Universal access to insulin remains a global public health challenge mainly due to its high price. After unsuccessful healthcare reforms attempting to lower insulin prices over the past several decades, the novel pooled procurement-also known as the national volume-based procurement (NVBP)was initiated exclusively for insulin in China. The NVBP exclusively for insulin represents a unique approach to conquering the challenges in the pooled procurement many low-income and middle-income countries face.

US Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions Perceptions of Provider-Patient Communication: Trends and Racial Disparities from MEPS 2013-2019.

Background: Multiple chronic conditions (MCC) require complex patient-centered approaches with effective provider-patient communication.

Objective: To describe trends in patient perceptions of provider-patient communication during non-emergency care and identify associated racial disparities in US older adults with MCC.

Design, Setting, Participants: Observational study using pooled US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2013-2019) data included adults > 65 with two or more chronic conditions.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination: Inequalities in Age and Vaccine Types.

An increasing number of myocarditis/pericarditis incidences has been reported after coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination in adolescents and young adults. This study was designed to investigate the incidence rate of-and risk for-myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in the United States according to age and vaccine type. This study used the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) from 11 December 2020 to 13 August 2021.

Delivery of healthcare provider's lifestyle advice and lifestyle behavioural change in adults who were overweight or obese in pre-diabetes management in the USA: NHANES (2013-2018).

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the association between delivery of healthcare provider's advice about lifestyle management and lifestyle behavioural change in pre-diabetes management in adults who were overweight or obese.

Design: This cross-sectional study included adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m and reporting pre-diabetes in USA. Outcomes included the prevalence of receiving provider's advice on lifestyle management and patterns of practicing lifestyle change.

Exploring the home healthcare workforce in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: Utilization and cost outcomes in US community dwelling older adults.

Objective: This study assessed home health care use associated with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD) in US community dwelling older adults, including workforce, intensity, and cost outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2010-2018) household and home care event files were used to identify adults ≥ 65 years with ADRD. Outcomes included home health care provider type, intensity of care use, and annual direct home care cost.

Multiple chronic conditions and associated health care expenses in US adults with cancer: a 2010-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey study.

Background: Cancer increases the risk of developing one or more chronic conditions, yet little research describes the associations between health care costs, utilization patterns, and chronic conditions in adults with cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the treated prevalence of chronic conditions and the association between chronic conditions and health care expenses in US adults with cancer.

Methods: This retrospective observational study used US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component (2010-2015) data sampling adults diagnosed with cancer and one or more of 18 select chronic conditions.

Real-world impact of ongoing regular exercise in overweight and obese US adults with diabetes on health care utilization and expenses.

Aims: To assess the effect of regular exercise on health care utilization patterns and expenses in a real-world national sample of overweight and obese US adults with diabetes.

Methods: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2010-2015) identified adults with diabetes and a body mass index (kg/m) ≥25. Two groups were created: exercise (moderate or vigorous physical activity >30min at least five times weekly) and non-exercise groups.

Impact of migraine on health care utilization and expenses in obese adults: a US population-based study.

Purpose: Migraine prevalence increases in people with obesity, and obesity may contribute to migraine chronicity. Yet, few studies examine the effect of comorbid migraine on health care utilization and expenses in obese US adults. This study aimed to identify risk factors for migraine and compare the use of health care services and expenses between migraineurs and non-migraineurs in obese US adults.

Addressing Lifestyle Management During Visits Involving Patients with Prediabetes: NAMCS 2013-2015.

Background: The gap between treatment guidelines and clinical practice in prediabetes management has been identified in previous studies. The knowledge related to addressing lifestyle change during office visits in clinical practice to manage prediabetes is limited.

Objective: To describe patterns of lifestyle management addressed during office-based visits involving patients with prediabetes and identify factors associated with addressing lifestyle management during physician office visits in the USA.

Metformin prescribing in low-income and insured patients with prediabetes.

Objectives: To describe prescribing patterns of metformin in low-income and Medicaid-insured patients with prediabetes and to identify common demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions of low-income and Medicaid-insured patients receiving metformin for treatment of prediabetes.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting And Participants: Patients (18-60 years old) who were enrolled in South Carolina Medicaid and diagnosed with prediabetes between January 2009 and December 2013.

Venue of receiving diabetes self-management education and training and its impact on oral diabetic medication adherence.

Aims: To determine predictors associated with the diabetes self-management education and training (DSME) venue and its impact on oral antidiabetic (OAD) medication adherence.

Methods: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey household component (MEPS-HC) data (2010-2012) identified adults with diabetes prescribed OAD medication(s) who completed a supplemental Diabetes Care Survey (DCS). Based on the DCS responses to questions about the number and type of DSME venue(s), two groups were created: (1) multiple venues (a physician or health professional plus internet and/or group classes) vs (2) single venue (physician or health professional only).

Clinical outcomes of levalbuterol versus racemic albuterol in pediatric patients with asthma: Propensity score matching approach in a medicaid population.

Objective: Racemic albuterol and levalbuterol are used to treat acute episodes of asthma. The main objective of this study was to compare levalbuterol therapy to albuterol therapy on incidence rates of subsequent emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations.

Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of asthmatic children who had pharmacy refills for levalbuterol/albuterol in the South Carolina Medicaid database in 2002-2011.

Safety and Tolerability of Stribild in the Southeast United States.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess postmarketing safety and tolerability of Stribild (elvitegravir [EVG]/cobicistat [COBI]/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF]/emtricitabine [FTC]).

Methods: A retrospective, pharmacoepidemiologic study in 2 outpatient HIV clinics in the Southeast United States was conducted among adults receiving EVG/COBI/TDF/FTC. We evaluated incidence and treatment-related adverse events, including change in serum creatinine (SCr).

Cardiac risks associated with antibiotics: azithromycin and levofloxacin.

Introduction: Azithromycin and levofloxacin have been shown to be efficacious in treating infections. The adverse drug events associated with azithromycin and levofloxacin were considered rare. However, the US FDA released warnings regarding the possible risk of QT prolongation with azithromycin and levofloxacin.