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WASHINGTON — A new report by Milliman released Thursday found that Silver plans with combined deductibles offered through the Health Insurance Exchanges may require patients to pay more than twice as much out of pocket for prescription medicines overall as they would under a typical employer plan.

ATLANTA — About half of all Americans reported taking one or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days during 2007-2010, and 1-in-10 took five or more, according to "Health, United States, 2013," the government’s annual, comprehensive report on the nation’s health that was released Wednesday. Use increased with age: 1-in-4 children took one or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days compared to 9-in-10 adults aged 65 years and older.

The annual growth in spending on retail prescription drugs slowed from 14.7% in 2001 to 2.9% in 2011.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the European Commission on Tuesday released the first progress report of the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance. The report renews the commitment of U.S. and European Union health authorities to pursue specific goals in their joint battle against antimicrobial resistance.  

PHILADELPHIA — The American College of Physicians, CECity and Pfizer on Wednesday announced a new initiative designed to increase adult immunization rates. 

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaeceuticals on Tuesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration accepted the company's supplemental new drug application for a lower dose QNASL (beclomethasone dipropionate) nasal aerosol, which is used for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in children ages 4 years to 11 years.

QNASL, a waterless intranasal corticosteroid spray, is currently available to treat patients 12 years of age and older who show symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, the company notes.

LONDON — Pfizer testified before British Parliament Tuesday regarding its proposed offer to acquire AstraZeneca, the New York Times reported. According to the report, British lawmakers challenged Ian Read, Pfizer CEO, on the company's commitment to keep jobs in the United Kingdom.

VALBY, Denmark and CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lundbeck and Chelsea Therapeutics International last week announced an agreement under which Lundbeck will acquire Chelsea.  

JUNEAU, Alaska — The 28th Alaska Legislature in late April passed legislation that will allow patients to obtain over-the-phone or online consultations where physicians can diagnose and, if necessary, provide a prescription.  

“Nowadays, much of our life is conducted online or over the phone,” said Rep. Lynne Gattis, R-Wasilla. “In this age where we can do almost everything with a smartphone, it should not be necessary to drive to the doctor’s office to have a physical consultation for many common ailments.”