News

Michael Agostino, RPh, a registered pharmacist and entrepreneur of Onesto One Advisors, LLC, addressed how his career has been spent over the last few decades during his presentation Sept. 12 at this year's PBMI Annual National Conference in Orlando.

Doug Long, vice president, industry relations IQVIA, talk about the growth of the specialty medication market and the impact of biosimilars that are expected to be introduced next year.

Brandon Newman, an industry veteran, also listed the specialty drug spend, collaboration and real-time optimization as the pharmacy benefit management trends to watch.

A Texas judge ruled that coverage for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) violates religious freedom but there is concern that cancer screenings and other preventive services could be affected.

In COVID-19 news, the FDA indicated Eiger’s treatment not supported by data. An advisory committee switched its vote to yes for new ALS drug. The FDA approved Stimufend, a biosimilar to Neulasta, as well as Imfinzi for biliary tract cancer, a longer-lasting treatment for frown lines, an oral suspension for gastric ulcers, and generics of Revlimid. The agency accepted applications for novel dry eye disease and alopecia therapies. Additionally, Seres completed rolling BLA for microbiome therapeutic.

In a second committee meeting, FDA advisors supported approval of AMX0035 after the company presented additional analysis of phase 2 data of AMX0035 to treat patients with ALS. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is Sept. 29, 2022.

Risk adjustment is a central feature of value-based care, but it can be abused. Natural language processing can make the process efficient and steer it clear of fraud and other problems.

A national study in Germany identified the baseline characteristics of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) to understand how they are usually treated with Dupixent in the real world.

In COVID-19 news, the FDA authorized updated boosters. The agency also approved several new therapies, including Xenpozyme for a rare genetic disorder, and Pemazyre for myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms, Spevigo for rare type of psoriasis flare. The FDA also expanded Imbruvica’s indication for young children with GVHD and granted priority review for weekly hemophilia A therapy.

Therapeutic goals of reducing eosinophil counts below a certain level in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has a marginal benefit for the impact on quality of life and treatment burden.

In this week's episode, MHE Editor Briana Contreras and Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein met with CIO of Prime Therapeutics, Jim Graham to discuss the process of an organization’s digital transformation from a traditional Pharmacy Benefit Manager to a complete data-driven drug management system. Graham addressed the risks an organization may come across to successfully transition to this system, but also mentioned the benefits to come.

CIO of Prime Therapeutics, Jim Graham, discusses with MHE how to successfully reach digital transformation in healthcare from a traditional PBM.

Telemedicine has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what actions are needed for more patients to have equitable, fair access to genetics services via telegenetics?

This year, health plans need to focus on the following smart, “no regret” investments in the enrollment process that have low risk, high reward, and ultimately deliver an exceptional member experience while simultaneously reducing costs and improving data quality.

Kaiser Family Foundation research shows that an 8% increase in enrollment from 2021 to 2022.

In COVID-19 news, both Pfizer and Moderna have submitted applications for an updated booster vaccine, and the FDA grants EUA for Novavax vaccine for adolescents. The agency also approved rapid-acting Auvelity for major depression, expanded Imbruvica for young children with GVHD, expanded use of Omnipod 5 for younger children, and accepted an NDA for GSK’s myelofibrosis drug.

The nearly $19 million boost comes after the Inflation Reduction Act extended enhanced premium tax credits for ACA marketplaces policies through 2025.

Twenty percent of nurse managers are considering leaving the profession, and amid unprecedented burnout and turnover among nurses at all levels, there’s increased urgency for healthcare organizations to develop a formal nurse manager succession plan

Back from a brief hiatus, MHE brings you a brand new episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast where Editor Briana Contreras had the pleasure of speaking with Lissy Hu, president of Connected Care Networks at WellSky. Lissy and Briana discussed the shift to home-based care and where it stands after becoming much more of a norm three years into COVID-19. They also addressed the benefits and challenges of home-based care from a payer and patient’s perspective, as well as the cost of this service as its demand rises.

Sarah Raaii, co-chair of McDermott Will & Emery’s multidisciplinary post-Roe team, and Cat Duffy, policy analyst of the National Health Law Program, address the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the court held that the Constitution of the United States does not confer a right to abortion.

Women traveling out of state for a medication abortion may wind up using telehealth.

CVS Health and United Health Group are also reportedly among the bidders.

There are many misconceptions about healthcare technology, but you can improve your organization’s approach to IT by clearing them up and following these three steps.

In COVID-19 news, Novaxax seeks EUA for vaccine booster. The FDA has approved Bluebird’s $2.8 million gene therapy for blood disease, as well a high-concentration of Hadlima, a Humira biosimilar. The agency has also PDUFA for several products, including Lynparza/abiraterone prostate cancer, Polivy for a blood cancer, and fezolinetant for menopause.

After a failed trial in advanced breast cancer, Sanofi has stopped all studies of amcenestrant, including in early-stage breast cancer.

Shabbir J. Imber Safdar, executive director, Partnership for Safe Medicines, talks about efforts to address counterfeit drugs in the U.S. supply chain.

Sean Dickson of West Health Policy Center discusses Reuters' analysis of drug launch prices.

Opinion piece on the top 5 priorities for managed care by Managed Healthcare Executive Editorial Advisory Board Member, Don Hall, M.P.H.,principal of DeltaSigma, LLC.

Interviews with people with myeloproliferative neoplasms show almost all of them often feel fatigued — and that they must manage the problem on their own.