The Red Cross’s inclusive assessment will determine blood donation eligibility; Wegovy reduces the risk of cardiovascular events; the first postpartum depression pill sparks pricing questions.
Red Cross Implements More Inclusive Blood Donation Policy
The American Red Cross is implementing a more inclusive risk-based assessment to determine blood donation eligibility, eliminating the previous ban that prevented most gay men from donating blood, according to CNN. This shift comes after decades of stigmatizing guidance from the FDA. The new policy focuses on behavior rather than sexual orientation—deferring potential donors if they have had a new sexual partner, more than one partner, or anal sex in the previous 3 months—allowing more individuals to contribute to the blood supply. Those currently taking pre- and postexposure prophylaxis also remain deferred, with the FDA highlighting the potential for false-negative results on an HIV test. Although this change is seen as a significant step toward inclusivity, some critics argue that the policy still excludes certain groups, including
Obesity Drug Wegovy Shows Cardiovascular Benefit in Major Study
Wegovy from Novo Nordisk has demonstrated an additional medical benefit beyond weight loss in a significant late-stage study, according to Reuters. The weekly injection, aimed at overweight or obese individuals with a history of heart disease, showed a 20% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events—including heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease—compared with placebo. This outcome exceeded the anticipated 15% to 17% reduction. The trial involved 17,500 patients and is expected to influence insurers and health authorities to consider covering the drug’s cost for a broader patient population. Novo Nordisk plans to seek regulatory approvals for expanding Wegovy's label indication in the United States and Europe based on the study results.
Questions Linger on Pricing of Postpartum Depression Pill
The recent FDA approval of the first pill to treat postpartum depression, zuranolone (Zurzuvae), has raised concerns about its pricing, which could subsequently have an impact on its accessibility and prescription rates, according to Axios. The drug’s manufacturer, Sage Therapeutics, has yet to decide on the pricing, and this decision might be influenced by the drug's failure to gain approval for treating major depressive disorder. Analysts have revised down sales projections for zuranolone, and experts have noted that the drug’s boxed warnings and potential limitations could affect its uptake.
Tackling Health Inequality: The Power of Education and Experience
April 30th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Initiating BP Medication Linked to Higher Fall, Fracture Risks in Nursing Home Residents
May 2nd 2024Among over 60,000 nursing home residents who initiated antihypertensive medication, rates of excess fractures due to falls per 100 person-years were as high as 5 among certain patient groups, such as those with dementia and high blood pressure (BP).
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