Peter Wehrwein, Managing Editor

Pros and cons of Syfovre (pegcetacoplan), the newly approved drug for geographic atrophy will be discussed at the American Society of Retinal Specialists annual scientific meeting in Seattle this weekend, predicts leading member of the society. Biosimilars are also on the agenda.

Charles Wykoff, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical research at Retina Consultants of Texas, noted new treatments for geographic atrophy are predicted to be a hot topic at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual scientific meeting that starts today in Seattle.

Findings reported in JAMA Ophthalmology chip away at one of the reasons for expanding optometrist scope of practice to include office-based laser procedures. But travel time is not the whole story.

Vaccinations at birth are particularly low, according to a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Models suggest that more than 500,000 hepatitis B-related deaths would be averted if some key vaccination goals were met.

In addition to a health plan for employees, Johns Hopkins Health Plans has a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicaid managed care plan and a plan for the families of people who are on active duty in the U.S. military.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin also found that the length of stays in inpatient rehabilitation facilities decreased during the 2020 pandemic months relative to 2019 but that payments per episode increased.

In their annual projections of healthcare spending, the actuaries foresee spending on home healthcare growing at annual rate of 7.7% from 2025 to 2031, which is faster than annual growth of 5.6% for health expenditures overall.

CVS has said it will sell the OTC oral contraceptive, but news reports today said it probably won't be available in the U.S. till early next year.

It is dependent on the hepatitis B virus, so as vaccination against hepatitis B has increased, the prevalence of hepatitis D has decreased. A new treatment drug, Gilead's Hepcludex (bulevirtide), has been approved by European drug regulators but not by the FDA.

Amgen’s Amjevita was already on the pharmacy benefit manager’s National Preferred Flex Formulary.

Results reported in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases did show protection against serious outcomes (emergency room visits, hospitalizations,death) among adults,18-50, with cancer and cardiovascular diseases but no such benefit among those without those diseases. The study also showed no Paxlovid benefit among those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Medicare-eligible patients need to be enrolled in registry to get Medicare coverage for the anti-beta amyloid drug that is priced to cost $26,500 a year.

7 of them launched during the first several days of July, joining Amgen's Amjevita in the suddenly crowded market of Humira competitors. Pfizer’s Abrilada is the only FDA-approved Humira biosimilar that hasn’t launched.

Boehringer Ingelheim is pricing its biosimilar 5% to 7% below AbbVie’s top selling drug.

Researchers found that 80% of patients were living in the community 90 days after discharge.

Russell Graney, founder and CEO of Aidin, believes that his company can transform post-acute care and its referral process far more efficient.

The price tag of $2.9 million is typical of a new wave of gene therapies. The manufacturer, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, is offering arrangements that will link the price paid by payers to how well patients respond to the treatment.

Sarah K. Emond, M.P.P., will take over as president and CEO of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) next year. Steve Pearson, M.D.,M.Sc., founded the organization, which has become the leading cost-effectiveness assessment organization of pharmaceuticals in the U.S.

The Sandoz's and Boehinger Ingelheim's Humira biosimilars will join Amgen's Amjevita on the formulary of UnitedHealth Group's PBM. Cyltezo may have a marketing edge because of its interchangeability designation.

Legislation designed to smooth the path to exemptions from step therapy has been incorporated into the Pharmacy Benefit Reform Act, one of several bills targeting pharmacy benefit managers that is making legislative headway in the Senate.

Briana Contreras, an editor with Managed Healthcare Executive, and Peter Wehrwein, managing editor of MHE, got to chatting with the newest editorial advisory board member, Jeffrey Casberg, who is vice president of Clinical Pharmacy at IPD Analytics.

Research results reported by Cornell researchers show price increases when neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) affiliated with practice management companies, but quality indicators largely hold steady.

The drugs must have full “traditional” FDA approval and patients need to be enrolled in a registry that collects post-approval data efficacy and safety when the drugs are used in clinical practice.

The head of a gastroenterologist group criticizes the company for having a "slapdash approach."

Vanderbilt’s Stacie Dusetzina and colleagues explain how the ‘copay adjustment’ programs work in this week’s JAMA Internal Medicine and also shed light on third strategy used by insurers and pharmaceutical benefit managers, the alternative payment program.

The Biden-McCarthy leaves $5 billion intact for coronavirus vaccine and treatment research, according to multiple media reports.

The company said 21% of its Medicare Advantage members are in plans with 2023 ratings of 4.0 or above, a steep decline from the 2023 star ratings.

The announcement mentions the growth in Medicare Advantage during his five-year tenure.

Results reported in JAMA comparing Black and White populations show a narrowing and then leveling off of excess mortality and potential years of life lost before the difference widened again in 2020.