Limited Options to Manage Specialty Drug Spending

Outlines rising trends in costs of and spending on specialty drugs; health plans' efforts to curb specialty drug spending, including patient cost sharing and utilization management; and efforts to integrate medical and pharmaceutical coverage

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: Down, But Not Out

Presents findings from twelve metropolitan areas about employers' efforts to control employee healthcare costs in response to the recession and national healthcare reform by firm size. Projects employer trends through 2014, including greater cost sharing

Genetic characterization and protein profiling of green mussel (Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758)) and brown mussel (Perna indica Kuriakose and Nair, 1976)

The marine mussels of India are mainly of two species: Perna viridis [Linnaeus, 1758) (green mussel) and Perna indica Kuriakose and Nair (1976) [brown mussel). In addition to this, along the south west coast (Kollam coast f Kerala), a third type of mussel called parrot mussel has also been reported. The present study was undertaken for genetic characterisation and dentification of distinct stocks if any, within green as well as brown mussels, From both east and west coast, using shell morphometrics and molecular markers. Stock identification using shell morphometrics were attempted with Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Discriminant function Analysis, whereas, molecular methods used were protein electrophoresis (Native - Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAPolymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR). The shell morphometrics as well as Native PAGE and RAPD-PCR profiles gave concordant results indicating high intraa species homogeneity and low level of genetic differentiation among populations of both green and brown mussels. Genetic characterisation using RAPD markers could bring out the genetic variability within both the populations. Elucidation of the genetic identity of parrot mussel as to whether it is a true hybrid of green and brown mussel, or only a colour variant of any of them was also done using RAPD, shell morphometrics, protein electrophoresis (native PAGE, SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate) PAGE and allozymes) and mitochondria1 (mt) DNA gene (Cytochrome oxidase 1) analysis. The study concluded that the parrot mussel is not a hybrid of the two, but only a colour variant of the brown mussel. An initial attempt to resolve the taxonomic ambiguity of P.indica that it is only a synonym of globally distributed Perna perna, as suggested by some of the previous workers has also been made in this study using COI regions of mt DNA. As P. indica revealed only 5% divergence from P, perna, it was concluded that P. indica need not be relegated as a synonym of P.pern

Aerometric monitoring system for pollution control

Air quality monitoring and analysis is needed in order to provide decision makers with reliable information about the pollution situation so that they can take appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent negative impacts whenever there is need. World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced that air pollution is carcinogenic to humans. The results from the reviewed studies point in the same direction: the risk of developing lung cancer hss significantly increased in people exposed to air pollution. This finding elevates the urgency to create awareness among common people about the air, both outdoors and indoors. In our project "Aerometric Monitoring System for Pollution Control”, we use a device that consists of a cluster of sensors that are used to sense atmospheric characteristics continuously. Atmospheric characteristics include Temperature, Humidity, Gas index indicating presence of poisonous gases etc. Several such devices can be deployed in places where we need to estimate air pollution. This covers public domains like bus stands, railway stations, junctions etc. and private domains like households, small scale industries and so on. The aggregated data collected by these devices are uploaded to the Internet using IoT platform by establishing a connection. The data is then displayed on the IoT platform along with various graphical representations. This enables the public to access the data anywhere, any time

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Identification of Practical Pharmacology Skills Useful for Good Clinical Practice

Background: Awareness about animal ethics is increasing everywhere. This increased awareness coupled with strict regulations discouraging the use of animals for routine experiments have tied the hands of many pharmacologists. They are now forced to develop alternative experiments without using animals. At present, there is acute need to come out with more innovative and useful practical exercises for pharmacology practical sessions. In this background, the present study was undertaken to develop the much-needed alternative experiments. Aims and Objective: To identify new pharmacological practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Material and Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 110 doctors of different categories like house surgeons, postgraduate students, assistant professors and professors who are working in a tertiary care hospital. They were asked to give their suggestions regarding new pharmacology practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Statistical analysis: Responses of the participants to the questions asked were tabulated and analyzed. Suggestions given by them were listed out and studied. Results: Use of emergency drugs, dosage calculation, drugs used in pregnancy, case discussions and prescription writing exercises received a lot of support from the participants. Research methodology, cost calculation, animal experiments and interpretation of data of animal experiments did not receive support from the participants. Suggestions given by the participants regarding useful pharmacological skills belonged to the areas like therapeutics, safe use of drugs, recent advances, analysis of information given by the medical representatives and analyzing articles in journals for knowing the efficacy of drugs. Conclusion: Exercises relevant to the clinical practice, as identified in this study, can be introduced as practical pharmacology exercises. Steps are to be taken to highlight the importance of research methodology and pharmaco-economics to the undergraduates