In the past and, perhaps to some extent, today, the specialized care and medications required for the appropriate management of patients with rare diseases, such as hemophilia and SLE, was neither readily accessible nor affordable. A collaborative effort for advocacy by patients and physicians has gradually pushed the evolution of legislation and regulations to improve access to optimal management. Two such legislation are the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 and the Rare Diseases Act of 2002, which provided the incentives and means necessary to drive the pharmaceutical research and development to grow a flourishing drug market and pipeline for rare diseases. As a result, managed care policies continue to evolve in many ways, implementing mechanisms and policies to balance treatment access and costs with appropriate medication use and patient outcomes. Patient and physician advocacy for rare diseases prompted a wave of change, but the momentum will need to be maintained.
What We’re Reading: Eyedrops Recalled; Inaccessible Weight Loss Drugs; Doctor, GOP Governor Spar
February 3rd 2023CDC warns against EzriCare Artificial Tears, which were recalled by the manufacturer; certain weight loss drugs not covered by most payers; Mississippi's Republican governor denies being privately in support of Medicaid expansion.
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Promoting Health Equity and Resiliency in Trauma-Affected Communities
January 31st 2023On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Reverend Paul Abernathy, CEO of the Neighborhood Resilience Project and board member of UPMC for You, who discusses his experiences in promoting health and resiliency in trauma-affected communities, as well as challenges related to access and accessibility of care and medical mistrust.
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AD Progression Adversely Influenced by Outdoor Air Pollution
February 2nd 2023With atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence increasing around the world, primarily in developing countries, investigators evaluated the potential for pollution to have an impact on development of the chronic skin condition among an adult population.
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International Panel Forms Consensus Best Practices for Active Surveillance in Prostate Cancer
February 1st 2023Health care expert and lived experience panels came to a consensus on several aspects that should be considered in the decision to offer and continue active surveillance for prostate cancer.
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Interventions for Children With ADHD Might Improve Sleep Outcomes
February 1st 2023Behavioral and combined behavioral and pharmacological interventions were investigated for their potential to help improve sleep outcomes in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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