
Kimberly Westrich, MA, chief strategy officer at the National Pharmaceutical Council, highlights upcoming discussions on patient engagement, formulary management, and policy changes, including the Inflation Reduction Act.

Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.

Kimberly Westrich, MA, chief strategy officer at the National Pharmaceutical Council, highlights upcoming discussions on patient engagement, formulary management, and policy changes, including the Inflation Reduction Act.

As managed care pharmacy navigates rapid transformations in policies, high-cost drug strategies, and innovative therapies, the upcoming AMCP annual meeting will provide critical insights into legislative impacts, drug affordability, formulary design, and emerging treatment trends.

Access to timely treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) remains a challenge, with barriers including delays in diagnosis, frequent treatment needs, and insurance coverage gaps, which impact patient care and quality of life.

Celiac disease can lead to both disease-related and diet-induced vitamin deficiencies, making it crucial for patients to receive tailored nutritional management to ensure adequate nutritional intake.

Adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who smoke may face heightened challenges in quitting due to severe IBS symptoms and anxiety sensitivity, which increase perceived barriers and reinforce the belief that smoking helps relieve negative emotions.

A multidisciplinary approach, early diagnosis, and comprehensive caregiver education are crucial in effectively managing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

There is insufficient evidence to support exclusive enteral nutrition as an adjunctive therapy for active ulcerative colitis, despite its good tolerability and low discontinuation rates, according to a systematic review.

Achieving cost sustainability in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care requires expanding access to cost-effective treatments, increasing biosimilar adoption, and implementing policies that reduce financial disparities and improve long-term patient outcomes.

Advancements in ocular technology, teleretinal imaging, and low-vision aids, including artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses, were highlighted in research posters at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry 2025.

Health care providers must recognize and address the high prevalence of anxiety in gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology outpatients, as its bidirectional relationship with chronic conditions can significantly impact both physical and emotional wellbeing, according to a global review.

Effective communication, cultural competence, and patient advocacy are keys to overcoming language barriers in eye care, as highlighted in a presentation at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry 2025.

Advancements in dry eye care focus on improvements seen in patients treated with cyclosporine 0.09% following inadequate responses at a lower dose, and customizable scleral lenses offer a nonsurgical option for Salzmann nodular degeneration, enhancing vision and comfort.

New anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are improving retinal disease management by providing patients with more treatment options, optimizing timing, and introducing innovative administration methods.

The effectiveness of laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in managing angle closure glaucoma is uncertain, with studies suggesting that phacoemulsification may provide better intraocular pressure control and long-term outcomes, as discussed at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry 2025.

Artificial intelligence, surgical innovations, and wearable technology are transforming eye care, enhancing patient outcomes and clinical efficiency, as discussed during the keynote presentation at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry (SECO) 2025.

The classification of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) subtypes, the influence of SMN2 gene copies on disease severity, treatment effects on disease progression, age-related differences, long-term management strategies, and adequate muscle function monitoring are all important aspects of SMA care.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty, artificial intelligence–driven diagnostics, and new drug delivery systems are transforming glaucoma care and improving patient outcomes, according to a panel of experts.

Attendees can expect insights on advancements in glaucoma care, myopia management, dry eye treatments, emerging technologies, ocular disease myths, oral medications, the impact of obesity on ocular health, and more at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry (SECO) 2025.

Up to 40% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), with the highest risks among those with Crohn disease, ocular manifestations, or right-sided colonic involvement.

The evolution of functional assessments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) highlights the challenges of adapting pediatric scales for adults and the need for modified evaluations to accurately measure patient function across different age groups.


Medical media is transforming pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology by boosting networking, research visibility, and education, but best practices are essential for clinical use.

Persistent care barriers may lead patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to ration medication or skip doses. The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress 2025 explored these access issues as well as the potential cardiovascular complications related to IBD therapies.

Mirikizumab showed superior maintenance efficacy over most treatments for ulcerative colitis (UC), according to a network meta-analysis comparing biologics and small molecules.

The findings from the PROSPERO study reveal that multiple hospitalizations, long-term disease duration, prior surgeries, and factors like corticosteroid use and total parenteral nutrition significantly increase the risk of gallstone disease in patients with Crohn disease.

The FDA has approved the first and only subcutaneous apomorphine infusion device, apomorphine hydrochloride injection (Onapgo), for the treatment of adults with advanced Parkinson disease.

The American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) updated its clinical practice guidelines for managing hepatitis B reactivation (HBVr) in at-risk individuals, recommending antiviral prophylaxis for high- and moderate-risk patients.

Travis Brewer, vice president of payer and public health strategy/relations at Texas Oncology, shared that value-based oncology care can achieve both cost efficiency and high-quality outcomes through integrated multidisciplinary teams, flexible payment models, and targeted treatment approaches.

The FDA granted approval to Eli Lilly and Company’s mirikizumab-mrkz (Omvoh) for Crohn disease, expanding its treatment reach to now include the full spectrum of inflammatory bowel disease.

Children born in spring or summer with a specific gene variant may have a higher risk of celiac disease and lower levels of a key protein, according to a study, potentially helping future research on autoimmune diseases.

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