Trending News Today: Eli Lilly Supports Proposal Targeting Drug Rebates

A new study found selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may reduce the effects of some opioids, NPR reported. According to the article, SSRIs inhibit the activity of an enzyme in the liver, called CYP-2D6, that metabolizes prodrug opioids. In the study, the researchers analyzed electronic medical records of 4300 surgical patients who had previously been diagnosed with depression. They found that the patients taking an SSRI who were prescribed a prodrug opioid, such as Vicodin, had significantly more pain after surgery than the other groups for up to 2 months after surgery, the article reported.

El Lilly voiced support for the government proposal to end the rebates made to pharmacy benefit managers, Reuters reported. According to the article, the manufacturer said that the plan could lower the cost of insulin and other highly-rebated prescription drugs for patients. Lilly and other insulin makers Sanofi SA and Novo Nordisk have faced increasing pressure over the rising cost of insulin products, the article reported.

A recent observational study found that the incidence of cancer linked to obesity is on the rise in young adults, The American Journal of Managed Care reported. According to the article, the researchers assessed data on invasive cases of cancer diagnosed in patients aged 25 to 84 years between 1995 and 2014, focusing on 12 obesity-related cancer types. During the study period, the incidences of multiple myeloma and cancers of the colorectum, corpus uteri, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, and thyroid all increased in younger adults, the article reported.