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What We're Reading: Acting FDA Commissioner Named; Generic Valsartan Approved; UnitedHealthcare Rebate Program
National Cancer Institute Director Ned Sharpless, MD, will replace Scott Gottlieb, MD, as acting FDA commissioner; the FDA has approved a generic valsartan amidst more recalls; and UnitedHealthcare will require employer clients to pass rebates directly to patients.
Ned Sharpless Named Acting FDA Commissioner
As the FDA prepares for the departure of Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, the agency has named National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Ned Sharpless, MD, as acting commissioner. Sharpless is also said to be in the running for the role of the permanent commissioner, as is Brett P. Giroir, MD, assistant secretary for health at HHS, reported The Wall Street Journal. Douglas Lowry, MD, NCI’s deputy director, will be replacing Sharpless as acting director of the cancer institute.
FDA Approves Generic Valsartan
Amidst more recalls for the blood pressure drug, the FDA has approved a new generic of valsartan (Diovan). According to the agency, it prioritized the review to help relieve shortages caused by the multiple recalls. The agency said it will continue to prioritize the review of angiotensin II receptor blocker applications to help mitigate the shortage. The new generic comes from Alkem Laboratories Limited.
UnitedHealthcare Expands Rebate Program
UnitedHealthcare said Tuesday that it will expand its drug rebate program that passes rebates from drug makers directly to patients. The insurer said the plan would take effect next year and would be required for all new employer clients, according to The New York Times. Existing clients would be allowed to continue under the current system, but they would be encouraged to participate in the new model when their contracts expire.
Dr Kathy Zackowski Discusses the Importance of Rehabilitation Research and Trials in MS
April 26th 2024Kathy Zackowski, PhD, National MS Society, expresses the inherent value of quality rehabilitation trials for broadening clinical understandings of multiple sclerosis (MS) and bettering patient outcomes.
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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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Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 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. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
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Kaiser Permanente was hit by a data breach in mid-April, impacting 13.4 million health plan members; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) sued Pfizer and BioNTech for allegedly infringing on its messenger RNA technology patents in the companies’ COVID-19 vaccines; the CDC announced the first-known HIV cases transmitted via cosmetic injections.
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