HIV

This week, the top managed care news included the Senate overwhelmingly voting to ban pharmacist gag clauses; a study found the current vaccine pipeline for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria may fall short; an expert noted a trend of healthcare cost data seeping into nonhealthcare companies’ earnings calls.

A survey has revealed gaps in HIV providers’ knowledge of the Affordable Care Act. However, despite these gaps, the majority of surveyed providers expressed belief that Medicaid expansion would improve both HIV outcomes and general outcomes for patients with the disease.

Researchers determined that the current drug pipeline is unlikely to produce any highly effective vaccines for HIV, tuberculosis, or malaria, which could be important for controlling the spread of these diseases.

A descriptive, observational study in Switzerland implemented an interprofessional medication adherence program (IMAP) in patients with HIV. The framework for the implementation of services in pharmacy (FISpH) model is described and formulated for other healthcare facilities and professionals to evaluate and execute for themselves.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the healthcare and mainstream press.

With the expansion of Medicaid, eligible, low-income people living with HIV were transferred from the Ryan White Program to Medicaid, causing concern for interrupted access to care and treatment.

In addition to the advances made in the HIV space, such as antiretroviral therapies and pre-exposure prophylaxis, the years of research has translated into advances outside the HIV field, including in oncology and other immune diseases.

In a 3-part series, the National Academy for State Health Policy explored how states can use policy levers to more effectively utilize limited resources and provide better care, improve care coordination services, and ensure consistent access to care for people living with HIV.

Targeted treatment interventions for populations with low levels of viral suppression, paired with tailored prevention packages, will be essential to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States, say researchers.

Patients with HIV indicated a strong preference for “nice” over “rude” providers and a willingness to wait 19 hours more or travel 28 miles farther to see nice rather than rude providers.

Researchers found that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage is linked to routine care, such as influenza vaccination, tobacco and depression screening, and glucose testing.

The emergence and uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to significant improvements in viral suppression rates over the past 2 decades.

Among HIV-positive Medicaid patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders, there was increased outpatient service utilization, yet relative cost savings, for patients who were treated in patient-centered medical homes.

Contrasting the excitement and optimism coming out of clinical research presented at the AIDS 2018 conference, there was a sobering takeaway in the political and advocacy sphere. Among the general consensus that we are in a fragile moment in time, there were several policies and advocacy efforts that made it to the forefront of the conference.

The 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam brought a plethora of new clinical implications for HIV care, reflecting ongoing investments in research efforts and optimism across all clinical domains, including vaccines, prevention, and new treatment approaches. However, with the excitement also came caution in other areas, such as stagnant incidence rates.

People living with HIV are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease and the global burden of HIV associated with cardiovascular disease has tripled over the last 2 decades.

A month after Symtuza's approval, Janssen announced new switch data on the treatment and a second study supporting its use in a rapid initiation scenario.

During the 2018 International AIDS Conference, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Elton John AIDS Foundation revealed initial results from the LGBT Fund, which they launched in 2016. PEPFAR also announced over $360 million in funding over the next 12 months.

Developmental issues, such as impaired brain growth, are more likely to occur in children with HIV than those without the virus.

Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.

This week, the top managed care stories included CMS reversing its decision to suspend the risk adjustment payment program; out-of-pocket costs and copayment accumulators put an HIV prevention drug out of reach for patients; research finds geography can determine posttreatment imaging for women with breast cancer.

As people living with HIV now have a normal life expectancy, thanks to antiretroviral therapy, the burden of comorbidities is on the rise, and more than half of deaths in the patient population are attributable to these comorbidities.

Despite pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) being crucial for preventing new HIV infections and working toward an end to the epidemic, the treatment is still out of reach for many.

According to a report, existing HIV tools and strategies are insufficient, and despite historic breakthroughs in maximizing prevention and treatment strategies, the HIV pandemic will likely continue to be a global challenge for the foreseeable future.

Janssen announced the approval of Symtuza (darunavir 800 mg, cobistat 150 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg, and tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg) for the treatment of HIV-1 in treatment-naïve and certain virologically suppressed patients.