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What We’re Reading: Merck in Talks to Buy Seagen; Monkeypox Cases Rise; Pharmacists Can Prescribe COVID-19 Pill
Merck is in advanced talks to purchase Seagen in a $40 billion deal; data shows approximately 7215 confirmed monkeypox cases globally; FDA permits pharmacists to prescribe Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill, Paxlovid.
Merck in Talks to Purchase Seagen
Merck & Co is in advanced talks to purchase Seagen Inc, The Wall Street Journal reported. According to sources close to the matter, the purchase could be worth at least $40 billion and is expected to be made in the coming weeks, though there is no guarantee the 2 companies will come to an agreement on a takeover deal. Merck and Seagen are currently discussing a price of more than $200 a share for the cancer biotechnology company, and plan to confirm the deal during or prior to the announcement of Merck’s quarterly earnings on July 28.
More Than 6000 Confirmed Monkeypox Cases
CIDRAP reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) announced there are now more than 6000 monkeypox cases across 58 countries with approximately 80% of cases in European countries. According to data from Our World in Data, there are 7215 confirmed cases as of July 6. Beginning yesterday, Labcorp has begun testing for monkeypox virus in the United State and claims it is able to process 10,000 tests weekly. The WHO Emergency Committee plans to meet again July 18 or sooner to reassess the outbreak and discusses what actions need to be taken to minimize spread.
FDA Order Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Paxlovid
Under a new FDA order, state-licensed pharmacists are allowed to prescribe Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill, Paxlovid, Bloomberg reported. The FDA said there are some limitations to ensure appropriate treatment for patients, and individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should still seek care from their primary care doctor or a test-to-treat site first. Individuals seeking a pharmacist’s prescription are advised to bring a complete list of medications being taken so the pharmacist can assess potential drug interactions, and a blood test result from within the last 12 months.
Diagnostic Oversights Limit Luspatercept Benefits in MDS
May 8th 2024Investigators of a retrospective study encourage colleagues to utilize molecular testing for patients with an established diagnosis of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), to be sure they don’t miss out on treatments, like luspatercept, for which they qualify.
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CMS Medicare Final Rule: Advancing Benefits, Competition, and Consumer Protection
May 7th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Karen Iapoce, senior director of government products and programs at ZeOmega, about the recent CMS final rule on Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage.
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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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