Michael J. DiStefano

Nov 4, 2024 | jamanetwork.com | Kelly Anderson |Maitreyi Sahu |Michael J. DiStefano |Carl V. Asche

Pharmacy Closures and Anticonvulsant Medication Prescription Fills While the number of US community pharmacies has remained somewhat constant, there is significant instability with 1 in 8 community pharmacies closing from 2009 to 2015.1 The effects of pharmacy closures on medication use are not well understood. Anticonvulsants are a protected class of Medicare drugs; plans must include them on formularies and have limitations on utilization management.

Aug 30, 2024 | jamanetwork.com | Jenny M. Markell |Ilina C. Odouard |Gerard F. Anderson |Michael J. DiStefano

Introduction The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) describe a drug’s benefits and risks in a balanced way and recommends presenting effectiveness and risk information quantitatively to improve consumer comprehension.1,2 Print product-claim advertisements must include a brief summary of all risks, but there is no requirement that every risk be prominently presented or severe risks be highlighted.3 Presentation of risk information in DTCA...

Feb 21, 2024 | jme.bmj.com | Victoria Charlton |Michael J. DiStefano

Public PolicyEthics- MedicalMoralsPhilosophyResource AllocationIntroductionInstitutions with a mandate to act as healthcare priority-setters undertake a difficult and unenviable task. Whether made on behalf of a public provider or private insurer, decisions about what healthcare interventions should be made available and to whom are often complex and contentious, with huge implications for those directly affected.

Feb 19, 2024 | jme.bmj.com | Victoria Charlton |Michael J. DiStefano

Public PolicyEthics- MedicalMoralsPhilosophyResource AllocationIntroductionInstitutions with a mandate to act as healthcare priority-setters undertake a difficult and unenviable task. Whether made on behalf of a public provider or private insurer, decisions about what healthcare interventions should be made available and to whom are often complex and contentious, with huge implications for those directly affected.