News

Epic research suggests that like COVID-19, flu and other viral pneumonias can result in long-term symptoms like fatigue and brain fog. Why that might be is an open question.

A recent issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation says anxiety and depression, drug overdose deaths, self-harm and eating disorders have increased in adolescents as access and utilization of mental health care has declined.

FDA approves tumor-agnostic cancer therapy, Clovis pulls Rubraca indication, Purdue launches opioid reversal, FDA plans advisory committee meeting for Xphozah, and Manarini and AbbVie submit applications.

Certain problems such as pain/discomfort, worrying and fear of the persistence/recurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD) became more common among patients with AD since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Respondents can win a $250 gift card.

Demand for birth control obtained through telehealth or without a prescription continues to grow, and some states have loosened up their rules. Meanwhile, groups and organizations involved in contraception are bracing themselves for the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court decision today overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion.

The company will take no profit, which is part of the company’s bankruptcy filing and settlement with states.

In COVID-19 news, the FDA expanded emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children down to 6 months of age. The FDA also approved Skyrizi for Crohn’s disease, Olumiant for alopecia, as well as two rare disease therapies: Imcivree for obesity associated BBS and Amvuttra for neuropathy associated with rare disease. Additionally, FDA extended the PDUFA date Brukinsa.

Walgreen’s patient insights and technology capabilities, along with partner healthcare companies, will aim to engage broader and more diverse communities for participation in clinical trials.

Genentech’s anti-amyloid crenezumab did not slow or prevent cognitive decline in people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The company also announced yesterday that will revive Wellpoint name in some markets.

Amgen’s biologic won’t have biosimilar competition till 2029. But the possibility that up to 11 Humira biosimilars may come on the market in 2023 could exert some downward pressure on Enbrel’s price.

A review of multiple studies found the COVID-19 exacerbated the economic, social and psychological difficulties that patients with cancer were already facing because of their cancer.

Adding tax-preferred savings, perhaps with an employer match, can prompt employees to accumulate assets so they are prepared to shoulder out-of-pocket costs. Using reference-based pricing can establish benchmark fees and put a ceiling on payments across a network.

In COVID-19 news, an FDA advisory committee recommends EUA for Novavax’s vaccine. The FDA has also granted approvals to Dupixent for children as young as 6 month with atopic dermatitis and to the biosimilar Riabni for rheumatoid arthritis. An advisory committee has also recommended approval for two gene therapies, one for a rare neurogenerative disease and another for a blood disease.

Dupixent was already approved for patients 6 years and older. The new approval makes the drug available to children 6 months to 5 years whose atopic dermatitis is inadequately controlled.

Improving customer experience strategies is a top priority to keep pace in the modern market.

Findings reported in JAMA Network Open today show that Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries with dementia were less likely to use hospice services than White beneficiaries and were more likely to have emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

The commission will review PBM business practices, including the impact of rebates on formulary design, the costs of prescription drugs to patients, and methods to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

The Federal Trade Commission says its inquiry “will shed light on” clawbacks, potentially unfair audits, rebates and other business practices of the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) industry. Today’s announcement says the commission will be requiring information from the six largest PBMs.

Approved in March, Tlando is an oral testosterone that doesn’t require dose titration.

A more accurate number of rare diseases is more than 10,000, and just 500 of these disorders have treatment options available for patients, according to RARE-X.

To thrive organizations must figure out how to build and maintain a strong culture in an increasingly remote workplace, and implement effective recruitment and retention strategies in an economy where there are fewer workers.

The FDA has withdrawn the approval of Ukoniq, which is used to treat two specific types of lymphoma. In approvals, the regulatory agency has approved a new indication for Kymriah, two addition Opdivo regimens, and extended the use of Evrysdi in newborns with SMA. The agency also accepted for review Dupixent to treat skin lesions but extended the review of a new ALS therapy, refused to file an application for a rare metabolic disorder, and put a hold on the trial for Cialis OTC.

New launches this week include: new strength of Alimta, a generic of Esbriet, a generic of Toradol, and a generic of Florinef.

Healthcare organizations must encourage anyone in need to explore the mental health and wellness resources available at their institution.

Byooviz, the first FDA approved ophthalmology biosimilar for macular degeneration, will be priced 40% lower than the reference product. It will be commercially available on July 1, 2022.

The rebate total is high relative to many past years but is half of the $2 billion in rebates in 2021 and less than half of the $2.5 billion paid in 2020.