JULY FDA PIPELINE

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. While most cases are treatable, a small number can become serious and spread, leading to worse outcomes.

In this month’s episode of the "What's On Your Mind podcast," Peter Wehrwein, managing editor of MHE connects with the now Chief Clinical Officer of OptumRx Integrated Pharmacies, David Calabrese. In this conversation, David touches on his transition in January as OptumRx’s former chief pharmacy officer and market president of health plans and PBMs to his new role as Chief Clinical Officer where he now focuses more on things such as specialty pharmacy to home delivery — with an overall goal of creating whole-patient care. Throughout the conversation, Calabrese also touched on the market’s hot topic of insulin prices and behavioral health services within the OptumRx community, among other topics.

New research published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy suggests a possible link between the GLP-1 drug semaglutide and allodynia, a painful skin sensitivity.

Briana Contreras, editor of Managed Healthcare Executive, spoke with Nancy Lurker, CEO and president of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. Nancy shared a bit about EyePoint and how the organization’s innovative therapies are addressing patient needs through eye care, and most importantly, she addressed C-Suite positions like the CEO role. Nancy shared advice for those seeking to reach the CEO level, especially toward women in healthcare and other roles, and what it takes to run a biopharma company.

A study found that while patients with atopic dermatitis often turn to social media for skincare advice, their decisions are most influenced by healthcare professionals, personal experience, and disease severity.

Treating hidradenitis suppurativa is complex and often requires taking a number of medications, including antibiotics, hormone therapies and immunosuppressants. However, many of these treatments are used off-label, and at this time, only two biologic therapies—Humira (adalimumab) and Cosentyx (secukinumab)— are approved by the FDA for HS treatment.