Diabetes

EAGAN, Minn. — As part of an effort to raise greater awareness around diabetes prevention, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is launching a campaign called "Reverse It." The campaign focuses on helping Minnesotans identify their individual risk factors for prediabetes as well as the steps they can take to lessen the likelihood of getting type 2 diabetes.

BOSTON — Rite Aid's Health Dialog on Monday introduced comprehensive Medication Therapy Management services for health plans. The new MTM services combine analytics with skilled health coaching to help patients overcome barriers to proper medication use, identify medication-related problems, promote coordination of care and improve medication management success.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to Merck’s follow-on biologic basal insulin Lusdana Nexvue (insulin glargine injection), the company announced Thursday. The tentative approval notes that the drug has met the required regulatory standards, but is subject to an automatic stay, as Sanofi has claimed patent infringement on its insulin product Lantus.

ATLANTA — More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of 2015 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4% of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Another 84.1 million have prediabetes, a condition that if not treated often leads to type 2 diabetes within five years.

TAMPA, Fla. — Benzer Pharmacy on Wednesday announced that it would be partnering with physicians to provide additional clinical services under collaborative practice agreements. Among the services Benzer can provide under such agreements is chronic care management, transitional care management and intensive behavior therapy for weight management counseling, among others, Benzer said.

NEW YORK —Blink Health has announced an effort to bring $10 million worth of free Type 2 diabetes medications to patients using the prescription drug savings platform.

Patients with diabetes who create an account on the Blink Health website or mobile app will be able to receive a year’s supply of metformin, glipizide and pioglitazone for free. The progam also will cover existing Blink Health users who take these medications, the company said.

WASHINGTON — At the POLITICO Pro Health Care Briefing on Medicaid as a Driver of Care Innovation in the States Tuesday, CVS Health chief policy and external affairs officer Tom Moriarty shared with attendees CVS Health’s efforts to bring better value for patients to the healthcare system.