State courts in South Carolina and Idaho ruled in opposite ways on abortion bans; virtual COVID-19 diagnostic and treatment launches in community; generic methylphenidate medication shortages negatively impact ADHD treatment.
6-Week Abortion Ban “Unconstitutional” in South Carolina, Maintained in Idaho
The state of South Carolina possesses its own constitution that grants residents a right to privacy, therefore deeming a 6-week abortion ban as unconstitutional, according to CNBC. The 3-2 decision was made almost 7 months following the Supreme Court ruling against pregnancy termination as a constitutional right. Conversely, the state of Idaho, also after a 3-2 decision, enforced 3 state laws outlawing abortion at conception, after 6 weeks of pregnancy, and inclusion of a civil enforcement criterion, reports Politico. Idaho determined that these laws are constitutional and defend fetal life as well as maternal well-being, save circumstances such as rape or incest.
NIH Starts COVID-19 Telehealth Program
A telehealth program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), called Home Test to Treat, will provide free testing, consultation, and treatment for COVID-19 from home, reported The Hill. The program is launching for about 8000 people in partnership with health officials in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Additional communities around the country will be chosen based on aspects like need and socioeconomic circumstances. NIH hopes to provide the program to up to 100,000 people across the country in the next 12 months.
Generic Ritalin Now Impacted by ADHD Drug Shortages
Generic Ritalin and generic Concerta are following in Adderall’s footsteps as they become the next class of ADHD medications with limited availability, according to Bloomberg. Methylphenidate drugs such as these were backordered in December and the University of Utah’s Drug Information Service originally said they expected a resolution in January. The FDA has not reported a methylphenidate drug shortage or received any indications that drug supply is significantly impacted. Adderall, an amphetamine-based drug, has been in shortage since last year.
Need for Pharmacogenomic Testing in Mental Health Care Explored at AMCP 2024
April 17th 2024Presenters from the Mayo Clinic discussed the benefits of implementing pharmacogenomic testing in mental health care for the betterment of patient outcomes, reducing medical costs, and more at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2024 annual meeting.
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Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
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Drs Raymond Thertulien, Joseph Mikhael on Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma Care Access
December 28th 2023In the wake of the 2023 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition, Raymond Thertulien, MD, PhD, of Novant Health, and Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, chief medical officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, discussed health equity research highlights from the meeting and drivers of racial disparities in multiple myeloma outcomes.
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