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https://www.pharmacytimes.org/on-demand/mantle-cell-lymphoma-mcl-treatment-landscape-and-access-to-care

Asthma–COPD overlap (ACO) is a term that encompasses patients with characteristics of 2 conditions, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A recent study from Spain sought to validate a proposed algorithm to help clinicians identify ACO among patients with COPD, in an effort to tailor treatment.

Administrator Seema Verma said CMS will focus on “empowering patients, focusing on results, and unleashing innovation” during a speech on the first day of the 2019 CMS Quality Conference, and called states the “laboratories of democracy” when it comes to innovation in Medicaid.

The study appeared as one of its authors testified before Congress on the high cost of prescription drugs, including insulin. Experts told the House Committee on Oversight and Reform that branded drug makers enjoy monopolies and that barriers to competition harm consumers.

UPMC Health Plan and AztraZeneca have announced their value-based agreement for ticagrelor (Brilinta), which will tie reimbursement to patient outcomes.

The man for whom the right-to-try law is named has been unable to get treatment; neuroscientists who were once skeptics are now being persuaded by new studies that have turned up fascinating links between the microbiome and the brain; public health officials are worried it could take months to contain the measles outbreak due to a lower-than-normal vaccination rate in Clark County, Washington, the epicenter of the crisis.

The National Institutes of Health halted the landmark SPRINT study in 2015 after results clearly showed a cardiovascular benefit for patients who had their systolic blood pressure aggressively controlled to 120 mm/Hg.

Genomic sequencing at birth has the potential to shift the healthcare system from reactive to preventive and save countless lives in the process, but healthcare systems aren’t ready for widespread implementation of these tests, according to a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The ninth annual Trending Now in Cancer Care survey identified current and emerging trends for US cancer programs, such as the ongoing threat of drug costs and popular services progams are planning to add in the next 2 years.

The approval marks the first non-chemotherapy combination regimen for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Oncology medications, disease-modifying agents, and immunomodulatory agents will continue to account for most of the pharmacy spending by health systems, said Vizient, which projects a 4.28% increase for pharmaceutical purchases made by organizations between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

A recent study reports that monocytes from patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) have a defective negative regulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling that allows for the unrestrained production of tumor necrosis factor alpha after TLR activation. Additionally, the authors write that TLR signaling not only contributes to chronic inflammation in patients with MPN, but also may predispose individuals to acquire MPNs.

Federal contractors lost not only wages during the 5-week government shutdown, some of them also lost health insurance; with advances in gene therapy, scientists are beginning to talk about a cure in sickle cell disease; there’s bipartisan interest in attacking the issue of unexpected medical bills, and the effort has been aided by President Donald Trump, who voiced support last week for protecting patients.

Nonheadache and headache specialists have moderate levels of agreement in classifying common chronic headache disorders after using the telephone classification interview model, according to a study.

A new study examined what factors might prolong time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

A phase 4 study of formoterol fumarate showed similar safety performance as placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a recently published study.

The study counted all kinds of activity, including walking to work, repairs around the house, and, of course, sports.

A study of 3 assessments for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab are examined.

A recent study sought to determine the relationship between occupational stress and obesity. The study authors investigated if baseline and prolonged exposure to high job demands were associated with major weight gain.

Two recent studies analyzed patients with multiple myeloma to identify factors that impacted response to therapy.

Teen nicotine use drastically increased in 2018, largely due to the popularity of e-cigarette products. The FDA has taken a number of recent steps to address the epidemic that has been said to have created a new generation of nicotine addicts. Here are 5 of the latest updates and actions in the fight against teen vaping.

Examining the frequency of bloodstream infection in these patients, researchers have found that staphylococcus aureus is most prevalent, followed by Klebsiella and E. coli.

Men living with HIV are more likely to develop lung disease from long-term marijuana smoking compared with uninfected men.

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

Presumed 2020 presidential candidates are trying to stake a claim to one of healthcare’s main concerns—surging prescription drug prices; enrollment in Idaho's health insurance exchange is expected to drop by 20% due to Medicaid expansion; employer groups can help overcome barriers, such as patient fears and misinformation, and create confidence about using biosimilars.

Panelists at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, discussed the importance of addressing mental health, the role stigma plays, and next steps once the conversation opens up.

https://www.pharmacytimes.org/on-demand/examining-hyperhidrosis-excessive-sweating-a-managed-markets-update-on-new-treatments-featuring-a-patient-perspective

This week, the top managed care news included the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review investigating rising drug prices; CMS expanding value-based insurance design; and researchers using a blood test to detect preclinical Alzheimer disease.

High drug prices have long been a burden on the US healthcare system, and recent weeks have seen a burst of Congressional activity aimed at driving down rising drug costs. But is Congress all talk and no action on this key issue?

The first and only test authorized by the FDA to detect and monitor minimal residual disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma (MM) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has received coverage for Medicare patients.