Latest News — Page 85

Starting in 2026, Medicare will have the ability to negotiate drug prices, potentially generating significant savings. According to a recent study, the minimum discount stipulated by the Inflation Reduction Act exceeds 2020 rebates for 4 of the 10 drugs expected to be negotiated in 2026. These include the drug etanercept, which will be subject to a minimum discount of 60%, compared to an estimated rebate of 39.1%, and the cancer drugs ibrutinib, palbociclib, and enzalutamide, all of which will be […]

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released new guidelines regarding aortic valve reconstruction with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium for aortic valve disease. Published in August 2023, the guidelines recommend that the procedure should be used only in research until further evidence is obtained. The procedure has shown promising short-term and medium-term results, with survival rates of around 90% after ten years and only a small proportion of patients needing a second operation within five years. However, NICE […]

In the face of an ageing population, increased chronic diseases, and limited professional resources, Quebec is turning to virtual care tools to meet the growing demand for home and institutional care. This shift has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the potential of virtual care in specialty medicine. The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) has tasked the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) with providing a state-of-knowledge report to […]

Seasonal influenza, a contagious respiratory illness, is a global health concern that can lead to serious complications, especially among vulnerable groups. The World Health Organization estimates that this disease accounts for approximately 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually worldwide. In Ireland, the Health Service Executive’s Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme offers a free annual influenza vaccine to certain population groups, including adults aged 65 years or older, healthcare workers, those with certain medical conditions, pregnant women, and carers. Recently, the Health […]

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has made several recommendations for drug listings on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) after July 2023 meeting. Some highlights include:   Recommended Drugs Adalimumab (Ardalicip) has been recommended for listing in the form of 40 mg in 0.4 mL pre-filled syringe (PFS) and pre-filled pen (PFP) and 80 mg in 0.8 mL PFS as biosimilar brands of Humira. The PBAC advised the equi-effective doses to be 1 mg of Ardalicip = 1 mg […]

FinCCHTA, the Finnish Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment, has recommended the use of Thermidas, a non-invasive thermal imaging system, to support diagnostics and monitor treatment. The system, which includes imaging analysis and reporting software, is particularly useful for measuring skin surface temperature changes. Thermidas has been shown to be effective in monitoring temperature differences, indicating changes in the circulatory index, subclinical infections, the severity of vascular disease, and specific complications of Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy. It has also been found to […]

Medicines and medical supplies are crucial in maintaining human health, particularly during disasters when their availability can be significantly impacted. This is especially true in developing countries, where the provision of these supplies is a critical priority. Disruptions in the medication supply chain can lead to serious consequences, from loss of revenue for companies to endangering lives. This article explores the causes, strategies, and consequences of such disruptions, using the Kermanshah, Iran earthquake in 2018 as a case study. The […]

The ENABLE research consortium has been awarded a generous €4 million grant from Horizon Europe to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ethiopia. The ENABLE consortium, a collaboration between the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), will kick off its mission in 2024 for a period of 4 years. The project aims to establish a program, using evidence-based interventions, to promote healthy eating habits, increase physical activity, and reduce exposure to pollution within urban […]

In a landmark decision, the Pretoria High Court has given the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) the judicial green light to implement its Pharmacy-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (PIMART) initiative. This allows specially trained pharmacists to manage and prescribe medicine to patients with HIV and tuberculosis. Judge Elmarie van der Schyff dismissed an application by a doctors’ organisation, the IPA Foundation, to set aside the programme, stating the need for wider access to first-line ART and TPT therapy on a […]

Exciting insights from ISPOR’s latest article, “The Impact of Digital Health Technologies on Health Equity: Designing Research to Capture Patient-Reported Outcomes”. The article explores the potential of ePROs/ePROMs in capturing crucial health data, especially from underserved populations. It highlights the need for future research to understand health equity-related data needs and the design of these digital tools. This could be a game-changer in identifying and addressing social determinants of health, reducing disparities in healthcare delivery, and understanding diseases from a […]

NICE has recommended further evidence generation for the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit, a technology developed to detect a genetic variant that guides antibiotic use and prevents hearing loss in babies. This plan outlines the gaps in evidence for the technology and the real-world data that needs to be collected for a future NICE review. The responsibility for data collection and analysis lies with the technology developer. Support for evidence generation will be facilitated by the Office for Life Sciences, pending […]

The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) has recently published a report highlighting the gaps and challenges in the value assessment of biosimilars. The report brings to light the ongoing debate on how to accurately assess the value of biosimilars, especially when they request reimbursement for the same indication as the reference biologic. The report also touches upon the different regulatory requirements for biosimilars across various jurisdictions. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of […]

We’ve just released a brand-new video where we delve into the fascinating world of ‘Decoding Research Integrity’ and the nuances of medical research! From understanding the critical hierarchy of evidence to unraveling RCTs – this video is for anyone keen on elevating their grasp of scientific papers. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just curious about the mechanics behind the studies we read, there’s something in it for everyone! Stay curious and remain critical in your quest for knowledge.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made a significant move in global health by releasing new editions of the Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc). These lists include new medicines for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular conditions among others. The aim? To increase access to innovative medicines that show clear clinical benefits, without stretching the health budgets of low- and middle-income countries. With a record 85 applications considered, the […]

A recent analysis by The Moran Company has shed light on an alarming trend in the healthcare industry. On average, hospitals are charging a staggering 500% of what they paid for medicines. This practice is not only driving up costs for patients, but it’s also padding the profits of hospitals, insurers, and PBMs at the patient’s expense. The study analysed 20 medicines and found that hospitals charged between two to seven times more than what they paid for them. This […]

Buprenorphine, the most frequently prescribed medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), is used to treat an estimated 1 to 2 million individuals annually. It’s a first-line treatment for OUD, highly effective at reducing opioid use, overdose, and all-cause mortality, and improving quality of life. However, routine urine drug screening (UDS) to test for adherence to treatment and illicit substance use is inconsistent, despite its commonality in addiction treatment settings. There is a lack of consensus about testing schedules and how […]