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Rx News | March 14, 2014
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Upcoming Events featuring
National CooperativeRx

 

WAHU Conference
April 15, 2014
Waupaca, WI

HCCMCA Annual Meeting
March 25-26, 2014
Anchorage, AK

 

 

National CooperativeRx is a not-for-profit coalition founded and owned by plan sponsors to achieve higher value prescription benefits through volume purchasing, clinical solutions, actionable data and unparalleled customer service. For your sales and marketing needs, please contact us at 866-679-9479, extension 223

Coalition News
 
National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month, and National Kidney Day just took place yesterday.

The prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is increasing dramatically and the cost of treating it poses an enormous burden on health care systems worldwide. About 1 in 10 people have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of complications related to their kidney disease. 
 
Most people have no symptoms until CKD is advanced. Signs of advancing CKD include swollen ankles, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decreased appetite, blood in the urine and foamy urine.  

To learn more, click here.

 

 
News You Can Use
CNN.   The World Health Organization is releasing new guidelines suggesting that people consume less than 5% of their calories from sugar.  For an average person, this equals 25 grams or 6 teaspoons.  (Wilson, 3/6)  Full Story  
 
A regular 12 oz. can of Pepsi and Coca-Cola both contain 9 teaspoons of sugar.  To see what other average foods will also throw you over the 6 teaspoon recommendation, click into this Daily Mail article.
 
Fox News.  A review of 10 randomized controlled studies has found that gently moving and stretching the neck muscles is one of the best ways to reduce pain.  Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of chronic disability in the US.  Range of motion exercises, over-the-counter painkillers and manual massage were about equally effective.  (3/7)   Full Story    
 
Industry News
Time.  3.5 years ago, doctors believe they cured the first baby infected with HIV with immediate treatment.  A second baby, born 1 year ago and also immediately treated, is showing signs of being the second baby born with and cured of the disease.  (Sifferlin, 3/5)    Full Story

Daily Mail.  A new, 10 minute breath test is proving itself as accurate as x-rays in diagnosing breast cancer.  The test will reduce the need for mammograms.  Although available in Europe, it is still being tested.  (MacRae, 3/7)   Full Story

Health Policy Matters
Reuters.  A large study has found that nurses have a big impact on the outcome of a patient.  It found "for every 10% increase in the number of staff nurses with a bachelors degree, there was a 7% lower risk of patient death within a month of being admitted to the hospital."  It also found that "boosting a nurse's workload by one patient increased the likelihood of an inpatient dying within 30 days of admission by 7%."  (Bond, 3/7)   Full Story