The FDA approved the first drug for the rare disease Friedreich’s ataxia; House Republicans seek information from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs); FDA panel narrowly supports respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults.
Rare Disease Drug for Friedreich’s Ataxia Approved
The FDA approved Reata Pharmaceuticals’ rare disease drug, omaveloxolone (Skyclarys), the first approved treatment for the rare genetic disorder Friedreich’s ataxia, which causes progressive nervous system damage and can lead to early death. The drug is the firm’s first approved therapy, according to Reuters.
Congress Drug-Price Investigation Focuses on Pharmacy Benefit Managers
An investigation into companies that manage drug benefits has been initiated by House Republicans, increasing the attention placed on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who play a role in medication costs, reported The Wall Street Journal. The House Oversight and Accountability Committee said that it sent letters to the largest PBMs, consisting of CVS Health Corp.’s CVS Caremark, Cigna Group’s Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s OptumRx, looking for documents about their negotiated drug-price rebates and fees they charge.
FDA Panel Just Barely Backs Pfizer RSV Vaccine
An FDA advisory panel narrowly supported an experimental Pfizer vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), voting 7-4 on 2 separate questions regarding Pfizer’s safety and efficacy data for people aged 60 and older, reported The Associated Press. One of the panelists abstained from voting. The recommendation is not binding, and the FDA will make a decision on the vaccine in the coming months. The favorable vote came in spite of concerns about possible rare reactions and questions about how the vaccine affected people who have the greatest risks from RSV.
CMS released a final rule to help patients obtain Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage and issued a proposed rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities; debate over if gift card incentives are acceptable in health care marketing.
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The Pivotal Role of Payers in Improving Health Equity, Maternal Health Care in the US
March 26th 2024A presentation at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health's 2024 Women’s Health Summit discussed how payers, including employers and public entities, can strategically influence health care purchasing to prioritize maternal health and equity.
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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.
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Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: March 23, 2024
March 23rd 2024The Center on Health Equity and Access covered disparities in hypertension, diabetic eye health, and hidradenitis suppurativa, along with the proposed legislation banning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Alabama schools and the consequences in sickle cell care from the CDC guideline for opioid prescriptions.
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