Study examines unintended consequence of dialysis drug-rule changes.

The New York Times (5/11, A24, Sack, Subscription Publication) reports, "A shift last year by the federal government in how it pays for drugs to treat dialysis patients may have had an unintended and potentially dire consequence, according to new research: a significant jump in blood transfusions for patients who now may not be getting enough of the medications." The study, "to be presented Friday to a meeting of the National Kidney Foundation in Washington, found that dialysis clinics were prescribing less of the drugs, as the government intended. But the transfusion numbers suggest that dialysis providers, driven by the revised incentives and new usage guidelines, have yet to find the right medication level for some patients." Medicare and Food and Drug Administration officials "said the findings would be reviewed to determine whether drug usage guidance or reimbursement policy should be revised."