How CNN reported on Nuedexta

CNN — CNN has released an investigation exposing the inappropriate and potentially fraudulent use of a popular nursing home drug called Nuedexta. Nursing home citations CNN used keywords “Nuedexta,” “pseudobulbar affect,” “PBA,” “uncontrollable laughing,” “uncontrollable crying,” “Avanir” and “dextromethorphan-quinidine” to analyze data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and identified cases where Nuedexta use had resulted in a citation by state health officials. Adverse events CNN analyzed data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System to identify reports made involving Nuedexta since 2011, the year the drug hit the market. These events can include everything from minor side effects to hospitalization and death, and the FDA said reports do not necessarily “constitute conclusive evidence of a problem with the product.” CNN analyzed the adverse event data to find incidents where Nuedexta was deemed a “suspect” medication, meaning it was considered by the event’s reporter to be a potential cause of harm. Reporters also reviewed government reimbursement data from EvaluatePharma and January 2017 pricing data from First Databank Inc., which tracks a commonly used drug price indicator known as the wholesale acquisition cost.