Briana Contreras

FDA expands accelerated approval of oral sevabertinib for first-line HER2-mutant lung cancer, offering targeted treatment with strong response rates versus standard chemotherapy.

FDA approval brings Abbott’s TactiFlex Duo to AFib ablation, combining RF and pulsed field energy for tailored treatment in complex cases.

Journavx (suzetrigine) helps 76% of common-surgery patients avoid rescue opioids, signaling a new non-opioid option for acute pain.

Medicare’s GLP-1 Bridge program offers eligible Part D beneficiaries select GLP-1s for weight loss at $50/month, outside Part D, pending BALANCE model.

Shingrix (recombinant shingles vaccine) links to 9% lower cardiovascular disease burden in older adults over seven years, strengthening vaccination value beyond shingles prevention.

BeOne Medicines joins CMS GENEROUS model, aligns future oncology pricing with global markets, and expands U.S. manufacturing to boost access to cancer drugs.

VESALIUS-CV shows Repatha (evolocumab) cuts all-cause death 20% in high-risk CVD patients, preventing future stroke and heart attack.

JAMA Health Forum finds Medicare Advantage members with new complex diagnoses increasingly switch to traditional Medicare, highlighting MediGap barriers, state protections, and plan limits.

Eli Lilly’s Zepbound real-world study shows older adults with obesity cut non-drug healthcare costs 25% via fewer hospital and ER visits, informing Medicare coverage.

Tevimbra plus Ziihera with chemo raises survival in first-line HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer, offering a new FDA-approved option.

Stem cell transplants from younger, more mismatched unrelated donors showed favorable one-year outcomes in a new ACCESS trial analysis.

Cleveland Clinic and Siemens Healthineers signed a 10-year deal to expand imaging, cancer care and staff training.

A Brukinsa access program for CLL patients in low- and middle-income countries has been extended through 2028, aiming to reach about 1,000 patients.

The FDA approved a Lerochol autoinjector and updated its label to reflect a lower risk of major cardiovascular events.

A draft ICER report found that baxdrostat and lorundrostat don't lower blood pressure more than older generics but do cost much more.

Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab lowers IL-6 heart inflammation but misses MACE reduction in ZEUS phase 3 CVD trial, with higher serious infections risk.

Lower levels of the protein IQGAP2 were linked to more aggressive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and worse survival.

Post-op oral dexamethasone after pediatric tonsillectomy reduces tonsillectomy pain and sharply lowers opioid prescribing and ED visits, a randomized trial finds.

Epic Research finds 2026 cholesterol guidelines and PREVENT-ASCVD expand statin eligibility to 54.6%, reshaping hyperlipidemia prevention and cardiovascular diseases risk.

BeOne Medicines posts surging sales as Brukinsa leads blood cancer therapy growth, lifts 2026 outlook and adds new FDA approvals.

Journavx acute pain drug sees prescription surge as non-opioid coverage expands, lifting 2026 outlook and pain pipeline.

UnitedHealthcare prior authorization changes cut approvals 30% as AHIP pushes e‑processing; Larry Levitt of KFF warns voluntary moves may not last.

Prior authorization reform, AI deployment, GLP-1 management and specialty drug costs are among the issues reshaping payer and provider strategy this year.

Updated FDA labeling and NCCN recommendations are pushing more health systems and payers to adopt DPYD testing before fluoropyrimidine treatment to help reduce serious toxicities in cancer care.

A new program from the Cleveland Clinc comes as pediatric mental health visits continue rising nationwide and health systems look to expand care options between outpatient therapy and inpatient hospitalization.

UnitedHealthcare will remove prior authorization requirements for 30% of services as part of efforts to ease administrative burden and improve access to care.

A randomized trial found that combining the opioid Dilaudid (hydromorphone) with the cannabinoid Marinol or Syndros (dronabinol) did not improve pain, function or safety outcomes compared with either drug alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Mayo Clinic experts said managing high-cost drugs requires clear definitions, strong formulary review processes and closer collaboration among health systems, payers and manufacturers to balance access, cost and quality of care.

A pharmacist-led specialty pharmacy model that expands into care management services could help health systems improve chronic disease outcomes while supporting cost savings under value-based care, according to presenters at the Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit that took place in Las Vegas this week.

Medicare Advantage 2027 updates boost payment updates near 5%, but risk rules and prior auth reforms force plans to rethink benefits and strategy.