News

A review of more than 200 studies found no greater risk of contracting COVID-19 among those with HIV but a greater chance of experiencing a severe case.

The labeling for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs) now must include information about sexual side effects in the warning and precautions and patient counseling sections.

Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare are enhancing their Medicare pharmacy benefits, including offering insulin for a copay of no more than $35 for a 30-day supply.

The FDA is scheduled make a decision on injectable cabotegravir by Jan. 24, 2022.

Approvals include a therapy for a rare disease for children and a novel migraine prevention. New regulatory applications include Biogen’s second Alzheimer’s therapy and other indications for Opdivo and Erbitux, and Pfizer submits data for COVID-19 vaccine for children.

Given together, bamlanivimab and etesevimab have an emergency use authorization from the FDA to both treat COVID-19 and prevent infection in those who have been exposed.

Cigna has expanded its Medicare Advantage plans for the third consecutive year in as Medicare Advantage premiums lower per month in 2022.

Liquid biopsies and new MRI technology may help clinicians monitor and stratify patients by the likelihood of whether their liver disease will worsen.

Trudhesa was approved in September to treat migraine.

This week, MHE editors Briana Contreras and Peter Wehrwein chat with MHE Editorial Advisory Board Member Cindy Hundorfean for the latest episode of the Meet the Board podcast series. Hundorfean, who is CEO of Allegheny Health Network, told MHE a few things about her time with the Cleveland Clinic, where Allegheny Health Network stands in the competitive Pittsburgh healthcare market and what the organization is doing to improve the health of the population.

Many healthcare organizations are learning that creating an effective, scalable remote monitoring program is not easy. Most engage only about half of eligible patients. When patients do engage, providers struggle to keep them connected, find actionable insights in the data, and achieve optimal reimbursement.

The company has also launched a website for patients affected by hereditary angioedema, a rare genetic disorder.

Results from a survey conducted by DirectPath revealed many consumers still lack the knowledge required to make informed choices about their health plan and care, which displays as a concern for healthcare education and transparency.

The enzyme replacement therapy treats Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects children.

In this excerpt of an interview with Managed Healthcare Executive®, Paulus discusses the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime's response and the future of its headquarters building.

Data is being presented at the 10th Annual IDWeek Virtual Conference, September 29 to October 3.

OSHA issued new "emergency temporary standards" for healthcare employers that create new rules for personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation in case of contact and other measures designed to protect workers and patients from COVID-19.

Demand for mental health care is booming. With a shortage of psychiatrists, author of this opinion piece, Robert Krayn, asks how can we ensure providers are empowered to deliver the best care possible for their patients?

The companies plan to request an emergency use authorization in a few weeks.

Commercial health insurance markets in almost three-quarters (73%) of U.S. metropolitan statistical areas are highly concentrated, according to a report from the American Medical Association.

In the third part of an interview with Managed Healthcare Executive®, Paulus discusses Prime's collaboration with Express Scripts, the GPO they co-own and bringing some uniformity to the pharmacy benefit management of the 23 health plans that Prime services.

Small biotech companies such as Scholar Rock and Cytokinetics have treatments in late-stage trials for spinal muscular atrophy. Novartis and Biogen also have products in the pipeline.

The flu program is the first in programs leveraging BioNTech’s mRNA technology for vaccines for other respiratory viruses, oncology, and genetic diseases.

Effective Jan. 1 2022, the move brings the price to 2008 levels.

In the second part of an interview with Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein, Paulus talks about the role of PBMs and aligning providers with payers.

Judging by common end points such as overall survival and progression-free survival, results of a network meta-analysis show that Keytruda in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy achieves the best results among the immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies used to treat advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.

The FDA has approved three targeted therapies for spinal muscular atrophy. They have hefty price tags so cost and affordability are live topics.

Prices paid by Veterans Affairs were the lowest and were 50% to 60% below list prices.

Digital-first experiences are commonplace for consumers today, with one exception—healthcare—where telehealth recently became just a stopgap. The pandemic has highlighted the real depth of this digital divide, especially when it comes to care coordination.

Pfizer receives an EUA for its COVID-19 booster, a biosimilar of Lucentis to treat macular degeneration is approved, Incyte receives two approvals for JAK inhibitors, one for atopic dermatitis and another for GVHD, and more FDA news.