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In an interview with Managed Healthcare Executive prior to the meeting, Keyvan Koushan, M.D., a retina specialist at the Toronto Retina Institute and a lecturer in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto, briefly described the design of the PULSAR trial and the positive results that have been reported so far.

FDA approvals this week include the second nonprescription naloxone nasal spray for opioid overdose, the first drug for a skin infection from pox virus and a drug to treat an eye infection caused by mites. In addition, the FDA has accepted a supplemental application for Ofev in children with rare lung disease.

The study will enroll an estimated 1,000 patients, of whom approximately 200 will have vitiligo. The remaining participants will be at-risk family members, some 40 to 60 of whom are expected to develop vitiligo during the 5-year study.

The FDA has cleared several new products this week, including the first monoclonal antibody for RSV in infants, a novel therapy for newly diagnosed patients with AML and a postexposure anthrax vaccine. Additionally, an FDA decision on donanemab for Alzheimer’s is expected by the end of this year.

Professional development should take steps to incorporate outreach into medical school curriculums, say Rosemay Michel, D.P.M., and Gary M. Rothenberg, D.P.M. "Students must learn what motivates people to make healthy choices in their daily lives, including the influences of schools, faith-based groups, social media and extended family on personal decision-making," argue Michel and Rothenberg.

Chronic insomnia has been linked to a variety of mental and physical illnesses. Researchers have found that cognitive behavioral therapy is often effective.

In a study recently published in the JAMA Network, researchers sought to investigate the use of patient-facing digital health technologies for opioid use disorder (OUD) by organizations in the United States with ACO contracts. The search began as it was unclear whether these technologies serve as substitute or complements to traditional SUD treatment resources in health care organizations.

Emissions from healthcare facilities contribute to climate change, and climate change, in turn, is presenting new challenges for healthcare.

Bryant Hoyal, VP of Client Services, Strategic Accounts at Relatient suggests filling appointment schedules with patients based on their specific needs through best practices is an efficient way to drive revenue, as well as balance workflows for staff. Outside of scheduling tools, Hoyal stressed the importance of being a data-driven organization to understand and control the workflow of your practice.

Approvals this week include Opill, the first nonprescription oral contraceptive, the use of Veklury for COVID-19 in patients with severe renal impairment, and the earlier use of Leqvio for in heart disease. In addition, Takeda pulled its application for a dengue vaccine.