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What We're Reading: Tufts Health Plan Removes Hepatitis C Drug Restrictions
What we're reading, April 20, 2016: Tufts Health Plan will pay for hepatitis C drugs for all patients with the disease; drug advertisements don't sway consumers; and Express Scripts countersues Anthem.
Tufts Health Plan, based in Massachusetts, will now pay for expensive hepatitis C drugs regardless of the patient’s disease stage. The change in policy comes amidst public outrage over insurers limiting the drugs to people with severe liver damage despite medical guidelines recommending treating nearly every infected person, according to The Boston Globe. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts also pays for the hepatitis C drugs regardless of how much liver damage a patient has, but most insurers in Massachusetts require evidence of advanced liver disease.
Few consumers say drug advertisements prompt them to speak with a doctor about the medicine being promoted. With only 7% of people surveyed saying they spoke with a doctor about a drug after seeing the advertisement for it, people may not be swayed by direct-to-consumer advertising, reported STAT. However, spending on drug ads on TV was up 31% from 2014 to 2015 and the pharmaceutical industry spent $5.4 billion total on advertising last year.
Express Scripts is countersuing Anthem, which first sued the pharmacy benefit manager in March for allegedly violating its contract by refusing to renegotiate pricing terms. According to The Wall Street Journal, Express Scripts denied Anthem’s allegations and filed a lawsuit demanding unspecific damages from Anthem and a judgment that Anthem cannot end the contract. Express Scripts is now alleging that Anthem has refused to negotiate in good faith.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
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Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
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Early Involvement Critical in Treating Immunotherapy-Induced Overlap Syndrome
April 19th 2024A series of case studies reveals the importance of early diagnosis and involvement of special teams of clinicians when dealing with potential cases of overlap syndrome, which encompasses myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, and immune checkpoint inhibitor–related myositis.
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Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
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