What We're Reading: Global Drug Spending Will Hit $1.3 Trillion in 2020

Global Drug Spending Will Hit $1.3 Trillion in 2020

Sharp increases in drug spending it not an American phenomenon. According to an IMS Health report, global spending on medicines will rise between 3% and 6% annually over the next 5 years. The increase, to global spending of about $1.3 trillion in 2020, will be driven by expensive new drugs, price hikes, and aging populations. The spending increased would have been more except for a wave of patent expirations for expensive brand-name drugs during that time, the AP reported.

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FDA Nominee Dr Califf Breezes Through Senate Committee

Robert M. Califf, MD, a cardiologist, clinical trial expert from Duke University, consultant to drug companies, and President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the FDA came under scrutiny for his industry ties during his 2-hour hearing with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, reported the New York Times. However, largely, the committee seemed to support his candidacy with the only exceptions being Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the presidential hopeful.

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Moderate Coffee Consumption Reduces Risk of Death

Need a little coffee to get your day started? People who drink moderate amounts of coffee—between 1 and 5 cups a day—had a lower risk of mortality compared with people who don’t drink any coffee, according to a study in Circulation. Coffee consumption was associated with decreased risk of deaths due to cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, and suicide. However, there was no associated decrease risk in mortality from cancer.

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