Midweek Update

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued his Tunney Act review decision today approving the antitrust settlement agreement between CVS Health and the Justice Department concerning CVS Health's acquisition of Aetna.  CVS Health observed

CVS Health and Aetna have been one company since November 2018, and today’s action by the district court makes that 100 percent clear.  We remain focused on transforming the consumer health care experience in America.

Healthcare Dive reports on a new prescription benefit manager, Capital Rx, which is touting its pricing transparency model.

Health IT Analytics informs us that "Having [hospital[ staff pharmacists perform post-prescription audits reduced antibiotic use among patients, suggesting that these professionals can help lead antibiotic stewardship interventions, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open."

The Washington Post reports that "former [Food and Drug Administration ("FDA")] agency heads and dozens of health groups urged the White House to nominate acting FDA chief Norman “Ned” Sharpless to become the agency’s permanent commissioner."

Finally, the Federal News Network reports that

Agencies have achieved some middling progress on their efforts to improve and prioritize federal employee health and wellness, according to the Office of Personnel Management. An evidence-based survey of agency health and wellness initiatives shows progress in some areas but gaps in others, particularly in organizations’ efforts to implement nutrition and other support programs for nursing employees, which are required by law.