Latest News — Page 83

Introduction Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired blood disorder. It is characterised by chronic destruction of red blood cells and blood clots, primarily manifesting in fatigue and potentially leading to lifelong dependence on blood transfusions. The disease affects 10 to 20 people per million, primarily adults, with no association with sex, race, ethnicity, or geography. This Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) draft evidence report provides a comprehensive review of the latest research findings and treatments for […]

The AI Challenge in Healthcare The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the healthcare sector is a complex endeavour. Life sciences consulting firms are grappling with significant challenges, particularly when it comes to embedding AI-enabled diagnostics into healthcare systems. These challenges are rooted in sociocultural, technological, and institutional subsystems. The medical community’s prevailing ethos, concerns about black-box decision-making, and fear of reputational harm are some of the factors contributing to resistance against AI. The Response: Stealth Science, Agility, and Digital […]

A Shift in Radiotherapy Practices Breast cancer treatment often includes radiotherapy. Traditionally, patients in Ireland underwent a moderately hypofractionated regimen, involving 15 sessions over three weeks. Recent clinical trials, however, have explored the efficacy of an ultra-hypofractionated regimen: five sessions over one week, with larger doses per session. Such a shift in practice requires justification by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) under Irish law, ensuring that the benefits outweigh the risks. Evidence Review and Expert Input To justify […]

The Point of Confluence Between Information Technology and Medical Care The healthcare industry is undergoing a paradigm shift due to the integration of machine learning strategies. These advancements are creating exciting opportunities, particularly for those in the pharmaceutical industry, such as medical information specialists. These specialists often train industry professionals and generate insights about medical affairs. Now, they can use machine learning technology to improve time efficiency and automation.    The Function of Artificial Intelligence in the Process of Streamlining […]

A Landmark Moment for South African Healthcare On Wednesday, 6 December 2023, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held a crucial vote on the South African National Health Insurance Bill (NHI). All provinces, except for the Western Cape, voted for the Bill. This decision was expected as the provincial mandates were publicly disclosed in the NCOP health and social services committee on 21 November. This vote was not a mere routine procedure. It was a significant political event for the […]

Introduction Birth weight and gestational age are vital indicators of newborn health. Low birth weight (LBW) is a concern. Especially in low and middle-income countries, as it poses short and long-term health risks. In Brazil, approximately 8.7% of live births are considered LBW. This statistic that hasn’t significantly decreased over the last 15 years. This study examines the impact of Bolsa Família Program (BFP) on Birth Weight in Brazil, a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program in Brazil, that impacts these […]

The Role and Mission of APOGEN APOGEN, or the Portuguese Association of Generics and Biosimilars Medicines, is a non-profit organisation founded in 2003. Representing pharmaceutical companies in the Portuguese market, APOGEN’s mission is to promote the concepts of generic and biosimilar medicines. They establish dialogues with stakeholders, including the government and policy makers. They advocate for a more competitive pharmaceutical market. The Importance of a Thriving Generics Industry The significance of a thriving generics industry cannot be overstated. However, the […]

The Rising Influence of Medicaid Managed Care Trends Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) has seen a significant surge in recent years. As of 2020, MMC insured a whopping 70% of Medicaid beneficiaries, equating to 57 million individuals. This system relies on a private insurer to cover a beneficiary’s medical care in return for fixed payments from state Medicaid agencies. A critical function of MMC insurers is to negotiate prices with hospitals, a process that directly impacts government health expenditures and the […]

Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and the Importance of Early Detection Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder characterised by significant morbidity and mortality. The condition results in irreversible degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle wasting and weakness. The severity of SMA varies across a gradient, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms and others facing life-threatening complications. Newborn screening for SMA has emerged as a potential strategy for early identification and […]

The Promise of GenAI in Healthcare Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT have excited the healthcare sector since their public release in late 2022. The sector sees GenAI’s potential to improve quality, efficiency, equity, and patient experience. This is especially important in a sector riddled with preventable errors, inconsistent care access, and frequent inequities.  The Productivity Paradox in Information Technology However, it’s essential to temper the optimism surrounding GenAI with a healthy dose of scepticism. This is due to […]

The Power of Partnership The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and H3D Foundation have recently announced a renewed three-year phase of their partnership. The renewed partnership for drug discovery in Africa aim is to enhance the skills and capacity needed to drive increased research and development of new medicines in Africa. This partnership is crucial in addressing the imbalance of medical research in Africa, where despite 20% of the global burden of disease, only 2% of medical […]

Valbenazine Market Access The Centre for Outcomes Research and Economic Evaluation for Health (C2H) is an esteemed department of the National Institute of Public Health in Japan, established in 2018. The organisation conducts rigorous academic research on cost-effectiveness evaluations and plays a crucial role in the official evaluation process. In a nation where public healthcare expenditure is continually increasing, C2H’s work is invaluable. They strive to balance the cost and outcome of healthcare technologies, providing crucial data and materials for […]

The EU Pharma Legislation Review: A Hot Topic The buzz at the ISPOR Europe 2023 conference in Copenhagen was all about the proposed EU pharma legislation review. This legislation, proposed at a potentially turbulent time, aims to reshape the healthcare landscape in Europe. But has encountered significant resistance from the pharmaceutical industry. The industry is also grappling with the simultaneous implementation of the joint Health Technology Assessment regulation (HTAR). Balancing Industry and Health Policies: A Complex Task The panel at […]

How the 340B Program Came Into Existence The 340B Drug Pricing Program was formed in 1992 with the intention of providing financial assistance to hospitals and clinics that are part of the safety net and serve populations that are underserved or have low incomes. The Medicaid Drug Rebate Program underwent certain revisions, which resulted in the birth of this program, which provides patients with discounts on the prices of outpatient medications. These developments led to pharmaceutical companies discontinuing direct discounts […]

The Ongoing Issue of Unapproved Fixed-Dose Combination Drugs in India The regulation of medicines in India, a responsibility shared between the central government and individual states, has been a source of friction and calls for reform. One area of notable concern has been the regulation of Fixed-Dose Combination drugs (FDCs), specifically antibiotic FDCs. Despite regulatory initiatives since 2007, hundreds of unapproved antibiotic FDC formulations remained on the Indian market, Accounting for over 700 million of the 4.5 billion standard units […]

The Potential of AI in the Medical Field The field of healthcare is undergoing a rapid transformation brought on by artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to greatly improve patient care. A recent interview that was conducted with Dr. Andrew Bindman, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kaiser Permanente, an industry-leading healthcare organisation, is discussed in this article. The early detection of sepsis and the analysis of social risk factors that effect patients’ health are two examples of how AI […]