CMS released its second annual dataset on prescription drugs paid for under the U.S. Medicare Part D program. The new data contain information from more than 1 million providers who collectively prescribed about $121 billion in Part D prescription drugs in 2014 – a 17 percent increase compared with 2013 data, CMS said. The dataset includes the total number of prescriptions dispensed for each drug and the total drug cost. However, the costs do not reflect manufacturer rebates paid to Part D plan sponsors. The 10 drugs with the highest number of prescriptions were generics, while the 10 with the highest total cost were brand drugs.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review said it will develop a report assessing the comparative effectiveness and value of abuse-deterrent opioids for pain management, which will form the basis of March 2017 meeting of the New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council. Comments on the topic will be accepted from any and all interested stakeholders during a three-week open input period ending Sept. 7.