What We're Reading: SCOTUS to Hear Biosimilar Case; Prostate Cancer Screening; Fitness Trackers

Biosimilar Battle Reaches SCOTUS

On April 26, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Sandoz v Amgen, which could have implications for how quickly biosimilars get to market. Politico provided background on the 2 questions being considered regarding the 180-day notice of intent to market and the patent-sharing process between biosimilar makers and branded biologic manufacturers. Sandoz is arguing that biosimilar companies should be able to provide the 180-day notice before FDA approval and that the patent-sharing is optional.

New Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has provided an update to its 2012 recommendation on prostate cancer screenings. CNBC reported that the new recommendation is that men between the ages of 55 and 69 should make individualized decisions based on clinician-patient discussions. Previously, USPSTF recommended no routine screening regardless of age, which some experts considered a mistake and was at odds with recommendations from the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society.

Accuracy of Fitness Trackers

A new study has found that fitness trackers are not very good at monitoring heart rate when users move while exercising. According to the Los Angeles Times, fitness trackers are good at counting steps and monitoring heart rate during exercise only if you don’t move. When participants exercised on a treadmill, fitness trackers were way off compared with an electrocardiograph, which is used to conduct stress tests in a doctor’s office. However, this doesn’t mean people should throw out their trackers—they are still useful for helping people increase their exercise level.