Blood tests offer a less invasive and more accessible means of detecting Alzheimer disease; Democrats address a year-long Adderall shortage; A new study shows significantly improved clinical outcomes in Type 2 diabetes management with a digital behavioral therapy app.
Blood Tests for Widespread Alzheimer Diagnosis Likely by 2023
A blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer disease may become available to the public in the very near future, as experts predict its availability in 2023, according to Reuters. This groundbreaking development offers a less invasive and more accessible means of detecting Alzheimer disease, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and better treatment options. This news brings hope to individuals and families impacted by this common form of dementia, as it could transform the landscape of Alzheimer disease diagnosis and care.
Year-Long Adderall Shortage Continues
Democrats are seeking answers regarding a year-long shortage of Adderall, a medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to The Hill. In a letter to the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration, lawmakers expressed concerns about the shortage’s impact on patients who depend on the medication. The shortage has created difficulties for patients in accessing the necessary treatment, raising questions about supply chain issues and potential actions to address the problem.
Digital Therapeutic AspyreRx Enhances T2D Management
A recent subgroup analysis of AspyreRx (formerly BT-001) in a pivotal trial for type 2 diabetes (T2D) demonstrated that when used in conjunction with standard of care and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the digital behavioral therapy app led to substantial clinical improvements compared with those not using AspyreRx, according to Better Therapeutics. The study, which involved 160 participants, resulted in an average reduction of 0.7% in hemoglobin A1C levels at 90 days, surpassing the 0.4% reduction seen among in the control arm of the BT-001 pivotal clinical trial population. Those combining GLP-1 RAs with AspyreRx also exhibited greater hemoglobin A1C reduction, weight loss, and reduced medication use at day 180.
Initiating BP Medication Linked to Higher Fall, Fracture Risks in Nursing Home Residents
May 2nd 2024Among over 60,000 nursing home residents who initiated antihypertensive medication, rates of excess fractures due to falls per 100 person-years were as high as 5 among certain patient groups, such as those with dementia and high blood pressure (BP).
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Bringing Connectivity to the Specialty Pharmacy Workflow
May 2nd 2024In a session during the final full day of conference activity at AXS24, experts from CVS Health and Surescripts emphasized the need to simplify the prescribing workflow for specialty medication through proactive messaging, automation, and interoperability.
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Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
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Industry Experts Tackle Specialty Drug Access Challenges for Employer Benefit Plans
May 2nd 2024Representatives from ICON plc and Symphony Health joined forces at AXS24 to discuss the challenges of managing high-cost specialty drugs and how they influence self-funded employer benefit plan design and employee access to specialty medications.
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Joanne Mizell: Lifestyle Modification Programs Take Holistic Aim at Metabolic Disease
May 1st 2024Joanne Mizell shares insurer strategies in addressing the escalating rates of metabolic diseases, highlighting the importance of holistic treatment methods like lifestyle modification programs, which integrate nutrition, physical activity, and community engagement.
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