The FDA has shut down a program that concealed medical device records for over 2 decades; more than 1000 Ebola-related deaths in 2 trading cities have been reported; Germany considers fining parents of school-age children who are not vaccinated for measles.
The FDA is ending its controversial “alternative summary reporting” program, which allowed makers of medical devices to conceal records that documented device malfunctions and injuries caused by products, according to Kaiser Health News. Millions of reports spanning more than 2 decades will be released to the general public within weeks. Medical device makers will now be required to file individual reports describing each case of patient harm caused by a device.
The Congolese health ministry said Friday that over 1000 people have died from 1529 Ebola infections within the trading cities of Butembo and Katwa, raising the mortality rate to 66%, according to The Hill. The outbreak began last summer in the town of Beni and has spread south to the North Kivu Province. The ministry said that 132 cases have been confirmed over the past week alone. As the crisis worsens, response efforts have been obstructed by acts of violence against healthcare workers. The World Health Organization has recorded over 100 attacks against individuals or facilities dedicated to treating Ebola-infected patients, and 85 healthcare workers have been killed or injured since the beginning of the outbreak.
Amid concerns that the highly infectious and potentially deadly measles virus could make a comeback, Jens Spahn, Germany’s health minister, has considered imposing fines of up to 2500 euros ($2790) on parents of unvaccinated school-age children, the Associated Press reported. As a measure to protect other children who are either too young or medically unable to receive the vaccine, Spahn also proposed that children who weren’t vaccinated would also be banned from attending daycare facilities. It remains unclear if the proposals will be implemented as they have not yet been discussed by the Cabinet of Germany, which is the nation's chief executive body.
Insurance Coverage Limits JAKi Therapy Access for Patients With AA, Especially Non-White Populations
April 25th 2024A survey study showed major barriers to Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) therapy for patients with alopecia areata, especially for non-White patients who face higher rates of being uninsured and struggle more to afford the treatment.
Read More
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.
Listen
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.
Listen
Lack of Mutations Associated With Favorable Prognosis in MPN-U
April 25th 2024While the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System and bone marrow blasts may predict overall survival, the lack of certain mutations is also associated with a better prognosis for myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MPN-U).
Read More
What We’re Reading: FDA Approves UTI Antibiotic; Ozempic, Wegovy Price Investigation; US Births Fall
April 25th 2024The FDA recently approved an antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women; a Senate committee recently launched an investigation into the prices of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight loss drugs; US births fell last year, resuming a national slide after a previous increase during the pandemic.
Read More