SPOTLIGHT -
FDA Reviewing Application For OTC Contraceptive
If approved, Perrigo’s Opill would be the first nonprescription birth control pill ever.
Treatment For Rare Immunodeficiency Disease Gets FDA Approval
The drug Leniolisib, now with the brand name Joenja, treats APDA, a genetic disorder that impairs the immune system. Its annual list price will be $547,500.
PBM Transparency Bill Heads to Full Senate
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Chuck Grassley and Maria Cantwell, aims to necessitate transparency from PBMs.
VA To Cover Alzheimer's Drug, With Some Exceptions
Per VA regulations, anyone who has had a stroke or seizure within the last year, as well as those with MRIs showing microhemmorrhages, aneurysms, lesions or tumors would be excluded from coverage of the drug, called Leqambi
CMS Not Willing To Expand Alzheimer's Drug Coverage
CMS has no plans to change their coverage and approval process, which the Alzheimer's Association believes is standing between patients and treatment.
Hearing on PBMs to Be Held by Sen. Cantwell
At the upcoming hearing, the committee will examine the impact of PBMs on access to healthcare and the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act which was submitted by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Chuck Grassley.
Trends to Watch: Specialty Pharmacy in 2023
49 New Therapies Approved by FDA Last Year
New approvals include gene therapies, first-in-class drugs, treatments for rare diseases, and cancer, as well as biosimilars.
Copay Caps for Insulin Lower Total Spending for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Medicare Part D Senior Savings Model — a CMS effort to test $35 copays for insulin — led to lowered total costs for beneficiaries.
Unsupported Drug Price Increases Added $805 Million in Costs
Seven of the 10 top selling drugs with high price increases lack the clinical evidence to justify those increases.
Bladder Cancer Indication for Tecentriq Withdrawn
A confirmatory trial of Tecentriq in urothelial carcinoma failed to meet the co-primary endpoint of overall survival.
Omnipod Dash Personal Diabetes Managers Affected by Battery Issues
Omnipod DASH PDMs are at increased risk of malfunction if overcharged beyond the maximum battery voltage.
ALS Therapy Approved by FDA
Now with the brand name Relyvrio, the new therapy should be available within four to six weeks. It will have a wholesale acquisition cost of $158,000 per year.
Adjustments in Drug Coverage Criteria in Health Plans Based on New Evidence
However, researchers found that only a small percentage of plans use available real-world evidence studies and economic evaluations in their coverage policies.
Housing, Food Insecurity Can Be Caused By Medical Debt
Hospitalization, disability, having private high-deductible, Medicare Advantage, or no coverage were risk factors associated with medical debt.
Ocular Adverse Events Linked to Chemotherapies Paclitaxel and Docetaxel
Patients who received the chemotherapies paclitaxel and docetaxel were at an increased risk of adverse events of the eye.
Prescription Drug Costs a Worry for Consumers
Survey participants said their drug costs have gone up and almost a third had trouble paying for food and housing because of high drug costs.
Link Between Dry Eye Disease and Psychiatric Disorders Examined
A meta-analysis has found that depression and anxiety are significantly correlated with dry eye disease symptoms but not to dry eye disease signs.
How Glaucoma Care Changed During COVID-19 Pandemic
A literature review finds that glaucoma care changed for the better during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reproxalap Nears FDA Submission
The drug is a potential new therapy for dry eye disease with a novel mechanism of action.
Driving Down Insulin Prices Takes a Group Effort
As Congress considers legislation that would cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin, Walmart and Civica Rx are taking steps that could make less expensive versions of the diabetes medication more available.
Enhancements Needed in Value-based Pharmacy Contracts, Study Shows
Collaboration among stakeholders is needed to increase transparency of pharmacy payment programs and to better align the design of these models with good patient care.
Collaboration Is Key to Improve Performance-Based Pharmacy Contracts
Collaboration among stakeholders can increase transparency of pharmacy payment programs and better align the design of these models with enhanced patient care.