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With discussion and debate happening for months in Washington, DC, over drug pricing and the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) published a white paper this week that analyzes 3 possible alternatives to the pharmaceutical rebate system fostered by PBMs.

National Cancer Institute Director Ned Sharpless, MD, will replace Scott Gottlieb, MD, as acting FDA commissioner; the FDA has approved a generic valsartan amidst more recalls; and UnitedHealthcare will require employer clients to pass rebates directly to patients.

Pooled data from 2 studies revealed that once-weekly administration of 70 mg/m2 of carfilzomib is as safe and effective in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) as twice-weekly administration of 36 mg/m2 of the treatment while also providing a more convenient treatment schedule.

A report from the Health Care Cost Institute examined 4 years' worth of data covering 1.8 billion claims in 112 markets.

A recent study sought to determine the impact of flavonoids on fatigue in relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Minimal residual disease (MRD) testing is the future of diagnostics and monitoring for cancer, according to some experts. Not only can MRD determine the depth of response to a treatment, but it can also be used to determine treatment strategies.

Trump administration proposes fees on e-cigarette industry to fund FDA regulatory oversight; Scientists create bioprinter that allows creation of new skin to treat wounds; Medieval era diseases reappear in unsanitary locations among homeless populations and others.

The president has released his budget for fiscal year (FY) 2020, which calls for converting Medicaid to a system of block grants and requiring all able-bodied Medicaid recipients to hold a job or perform community service. The $87.1 billion allocated to HHS, a 12% cut, would include increases to federal HIV funding, but drops in global funding, as well as cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Robotic surgery remains a widespread practice for cancer treatment while the FDA warns no evidence has been found linking these procedures to safer patient outcomes; more than 2000 migrants in US detention centers quarantined as reported cases of mumps arise; Iowa Supreme Court rules that Medicaid can not deny coverage for sex reassignment surgery.

The approval is based off of progression-free survival data from the IMpassion130 study and represents the first approved immunotherapy regimen for breast cancer.

Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) represents a small minority of MS diagnoses. WIth symptoms that differ from adults, children with MS often experience delays before they are diagnosed.

Interventions to prevent job loss for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) should focus on increasing self-efficacy, especially for patients older than 50 years.

A longitudinal 5-year observational study to examine functional and structural cerebral changes in adult-onset myotonic dystrophies found some differences between the 2 types of this incurable genetic disorder and said that additional brain studies are needed in light of upcoming treatment trials for this rare disease.

Costs remain the top concern of healthcare purchasers of pharmacy benefits, but employers are also concerned with ensuring appropriate use of medication and adherence to medication, according to a new report from the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI).

Researchers found use of e-cigarettes was nearly twice as effective as nicotine-replacement therapy to help individuals quit smoking, according to a new study in New England Journal of Medicine.

“Medicare for Al” refers to a bill originally introduced to Congress in September 2017 by Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, with 16 Democratic cosponsors that would create a single, federal, government-administered program to provide healthcare to all US residents. In February 2019, Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2019, with 106 cosponsors. This bill builds upon the legislation that Sanders introduced, with a few key differences. Here are 5 things to know about the bills.

This week, the top managed care news included Scott Gottlieb, MD, resigning as FDA commissioner; Eli Lilly offering a discounted version of Humalog; and a second patient reported cured of HIV.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the healthcare and mainstream press.

CMS is requesting comment on eliminating regulatory and other barriers that may be impeding interstate health insurance; a study has found a link between secondhand smoke exposure and chronic kidney disease; House Democrats have renewed their push for gun violence research.

While use of palliative care at the end of life has increased, disparities remain, and not all patients who are terminally ill with blood cancers are having discussions about their goals of care at the end of life.

According to a recent study, people with migraines may have altered connections between the somatosensory cortex and the frontal lobe compared with people who do not experience migraines.

IVI seeks comment on its new NSCLC model through April 1, 2019.

McKesson has announced a collaboration with Navigating Cancer to offer a patient relationship management platform for community-based oncologists.

The study illuminates how the weight loss, reduction in fatty liver disease, and a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease happens in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors.

Earlier this week, the FDA granted priority review to a new drug application for fedratinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis. The drug had previously been awarded an orphan drug designation for the treatment of primary and secondary myelofibrosis.

This is part 1 of a 3-part vaccine series covering the potential of vaccines for infectious diseases, the impact of the antivaccination movement, and the promise of vaccines for cancer treatment.

Even moderate drinkers, who consume 7 to 13 alcoholic beverages per week, are at risk for developing high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack or stoke, according to an abstract to be presented at the upcoming American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions and Exposition in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Not having enough tissue is often a problem in precision medicine. The senior author of a new study said a liquid biopsy could become a new standard.

Patients with migraine headaches may have a risk of also having dry eye disease (DED).