CMS finalizes policies to enhance consumer protections, promote competition, and expand access to care for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D; digital therapeutic Rejoyn receives FDA clearance for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD); study reveals minimal symptom reduction from nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid) in high-risk, fully vaccinated patients.
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Wearable Activity Tracker Data Enhance Patient Assessment in Lung Cancer
March 28th 2024This analysis included 119 patients with advanced lung cancer, who were evaluated on 3 facets of physical activity over 14 days of using the amuelink wearable device from Sony: metabolic equivalent tasks, distance walked, and steps taken.
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CMS is highly likely to negotiate the price of the obesity medication semaglutide in the coming years; many health care providers are trying to determine whether their cyberattack insurance will help cover their losses after the Change Healthcare hack; the US life expectancy increased for the first time in 2 years.
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A global AIDS program that was in limbo for months got temporary relief after congressional negotiators agreed to a 1-year renewal in the next government funding package; the outcome of the November presidential election could determine the state of fetal tissue research in the US; federal officials and industry executives failed to make improvements that stop hacking attacks.
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FDA Approves Arsa-Cel for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
March 19th 2024The approval makes atidarsagene autotemcel (arsa-cel [Lenmeldy]; Orchard Therapeutics) the first approved treatment for metachromatic leukodystrophy, a disease caused by a mutation in the ARSA gene and marked by progressive declines in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
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AstraZeneca joins efforts to address high drug prices by capping out-of-pocket costs for its inhalers; Opill, the first OTC birth control pill, is now accessible through online sales; expansion prompts questions on the effectiveness and regulation of remote monitoring technology.
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AI Dermatology Mobile Apps Have Critical Efficacy, Safety Gaps, Review Says
March 17th 2024This scoping review discovered potential risks and critical gaps in the efficacy, safety, and transparency of current artificial intelligence (AI) dermatology mobile apps, emphasizing the need for regulatory intervention.
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Federated Learning Models Show Potential in Melanoma-Nevus Classification, but Improvements Needed
March 16th 2024A multicentric, single-arm diagnostic study created a decentralized federated learning model for the classification of invasive melanomas and nevi, showcasing comparable results to centralized data models.
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The HHS Office for Civil Rights is investigating whether patient data were exposed in the cyberattack on Change Healthcare; a new study claims that the US’ high maternal mortality rates are the product of flawed data; HHS secretary is open to drug testing recipients of welfare.
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Novo Nordisk is working with authorities in several countries to tackle counterfeit versions of popular diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic); Amylyx’s controversial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug failed to help patients in a large follow-up study; disruptions from the Change Healthcare cyberattack are costing health providers as much as $1 billion a day.
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Promise of AI in MS Research and Treatment Showcased at ACTRIMS 2024
March 3rd 2024The poster session at the Americas Committee for Research and Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2024 dedicated a section to emerging developments in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research and treatment approaches in multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Imaging and 3D Modeling a Key Focus at ACTRIMS 2024
March 2nd 2024On day 2 of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2024, speakers gave great attention to novel developments in the field of imaging and 3D modeling in multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Blockage of proposed bill that would protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) reignites debate over reproductive rights and health care access; ransomware attack leaves patients and providers stranded; people 65 years and older should get an additional booster for the COVID-19 vaccine, CDC says.
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What We’re Reading: Alabama IVF Ruling; UnitedHealth Antitrust Probe; Food as Medicine Initiative
February 28th 2024Survey highlights widespread opposition to Alabama's law restricting in vitro fertilization (IVF) access; investigation focuses on potential anticompetitive practices; Medicare weighs options for implementing a new program to deliver healthy meals to seniors with chronic conditions.
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The House Democratic Women’s Caucus wrote a letter urging insurers to comply with both contraceptive coverage requirements and recent Biden administration guidance; several pharmacy chains are experiencing disruptions following a hack at Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth’s technology unit; the FDA said it is not planning to take a tougher stance against clinical trial reporting requirement noncompliance.
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