As the discussion about disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) continues, the panelists discuss the long-term results of therapy and the effects of disease-modifying therapies on the natural history of MS.
Patricia K. Coyle, MD, concludes that it is too early to truly analyze how the emergence of disease-modifying therapies has affected the long-term costs due to a lack of data. Dr Coyle explains that MS is a long-term disease, and the average time from a relapsing to a progressive/secondary progressive phase is roughly 20 years. She states that the first disease-modifying therapy was only developed 20 years ago, so there is not much data to provide the results on how disease-modifying therapies have altered the natural history of MS.
Although Dr Coyle does not believe there is enough evidence available, she feels that disease-modifying therapies are improving MS outcomes.
Leslie Fish, PharmD, agrees with Dr Coyle and explains that although there are trial inconsistencies that currently make it difficult to assess the outcomes of disease-modifying therapies, overall the studies conducted have proven that these therapies decrease the number of exacerbations and result in less patient disability during early stages of MS.
Dr Fish concludes by stating that although disease-modifying therapy is effective in early stages, and is moving the natural history of MS toward the right direction, the treatment options lag behind for progressive phases of the disease.
Oncology Onward: A Conversation With Thyme Care CEO and Cofounder Robin Shah
October 2nd 2023Robin Shah, CEO of Thyme Care, which he founded in 2020 with Bobby Green, MD, president and chief medical officer, joins hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, to discuss his evolution as an entrepreneur in oncology care innovation and his goal of positively changing how patients experience the cancer system.
Listen
What We’re Reading: ChatGPT in Health Care; Menthol Ban Meeting; Health System Cyberattack Impact
November 30th 2023ChatGPT is changing health care while also raising questions about artificial intelligence's promises and limitations; 24 Biden officials met with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives to discuss the FDA’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes; a recent hospital cyberattack shows how the vulnerability of health care systems can put patients at risk.
Read More
Insufficient Data, Disparities Plague Lung Cancer Risk Factor Documentation
September 24th 2023On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the senior author of a study published in the September 2023 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® on the importance of adequate and effective lung cancer risk factor documentation to determine a patient's eligibility for screening.
Listen