Scientists Use CRISPR To Create Model of AML Progression
Using CRISPR, researchers were able to repeat the step-by-step conversion of a normal cell into a malignant one in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Language, Intellect, Speech Differ by Phenotype in Children With SMA Type 1
Speech impairment was primarily linked to motor impairment, according to a study examining the development trajectory of children with spinal muscular atrophy.
What We’re Reading: More COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Purchased; Revisiting Medicaid Work Requirements; Tax Deductions in Opioid Settlement
The Biden administration purchases an additional 200 million coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses; the president plans to revoke Medicaid work requirements; companies seek billion-dollar tax deductions in opioid crisis settlement.
AJMC® in the Press, February 12, 2021
Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the health care and mainstream press.
What We’re Reading: CDC Updates Mask Guidance; Racial Disparities in Nursing Home COVID-19 Deaths; Mandatory Mental Health Studies Considered
CDC updates its guidance to reflect best mask-wearing practices; study highlights racial disparities in nursing home coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths; North Dakota to consider mandatory mental health studies in schools.
What We’re Reading: EUA for Lilly’s Combination Treatment; COVID-19 Billing Waivers; Convalescent Plasma Indication Updated
The FDA issues an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Eli Lilly’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment; insurance waivers for COVID-19–related costs are starting to expire; new data update convalescent plasma’s indication.
What We’re Reading: ACA Expansion in Democrats’ COVID-19 Bill; Vaccine Hesitancy, Refusal; CanSino Vaccine Reports Efficacy
House Democrats include a major expansion of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in their proposed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief package; differences between vaccine hesitancy and refusal are spotlighted; CanSino Biologics’ 1-shot vaccine is 65.7% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 cases.
What We're Reading: South Africa Suspends AstraZeneca Vaccine Use; Mask Mandates Reduced Hospitalizations; VBID Office Hours
South Africa suspends inoculations with AstraZeneca's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine; mask mandates linked with reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations; VBID's monthly office hours to be held this week.
Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Pharmacies to Receive Vaccine Doses and Other Health News
Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.
What We’re Reading: Panel to Hear J&J EUA Application; Senate Passes Relief Package; Heavy Metals in Baby Food
The FDA is scheduled to hear Johnson and Johnson's request for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine later this month; Senate passes economic relief package; heavy metals found in some baby food.
Laparoscopy Shown to Be Cost-effective in Evaluating Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that laparoscopy cost more upfront but eliminated wasteful treatment decisions.
What We’re Reading: McKinsey Settles Over Opioid Crisis; Study to Test Mixing COVID-19 Vaccines; HIV Vaccine Clinical Trial Results
McKinsey pays $573 million over its role in the opioid crisis; a British study will test mixing 2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines; new clinical trial data point to a potential vaccine approach to combat HIV.
What We’re Reading: GSK Partners With CureVac; Oxford Updates Efficacy Results; Pharmacies to Receive Vaccine
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and CureVac will partner to accelerate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine production; new data show 76% efficacy for Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine; 1 million vaccine doses will be sent to 6500 pharmacies.
What We’re Reading: More Americans Vaccinated Than Infected; US Funds Rapid OTC COVID-19 Tests; Breast Most Common Cancer Worldwide
More Americans have received at least 1 dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine than have tested positive for the virus; Biden administration funds mass production of a rapid over-the-counter COVID-19 test; breast cancer surpasses lung cancer as most common cancer worldwide.
What We're Reading: Public Transit Mask Mandate; BLA Decision on Alzheimer Drug Extended; Drug Pricing Rule Delayed
CDC mandate requiring masks on most forms of public transportation to go into effect today; FDA will extend its review period on a possible new Alzheimer disease drug; HHS will delay the start date of a Trump administration drug pricing rebate rule.
Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Biden Reopening ACA Insurance Marketplaces and Other Health News
Preclinical Study of Gene Therapy Vector for SCD, Beta-Thalassemia Shows Promise
An engineered lentivirus was created to avoid some of the drawbacks associated with current gene therapy vectors for sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia.
What We’re Reading: J&J, Novavax Release COVID-19 Vaccine Data; Undercounted Nursing Home Deaths; Experts Encourage Double Masking
Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, release positive results from phase 3 trials on their respective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines; report indicates undercounted nursing home deaths in New York; experts push for improved mask practices.
AJMC® in the Press, January 29, 2021
What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Cases Fall; Gender-Affirming Surgery Coverage; OK Seeks to Return Hydroxychloroquine
Rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases decline in 41 states; Aetna to cover medically necessary breast augmentations for transgender individuals; Oklahoma seeks to return $2 million worth of hydroxychloroquine.
What We’re Reading: Vaccine Delivery to Increase; FDA Issues Hand Sanitizer Alert; Sanofi, BioNTech/Pfizer to Partner
The Biden administration promises to increase vaccine delivery; the FDA issues an alert on alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico; 3 pharma giants partner to speed EU vaccination efforts.
What We're Reading: Biden Reportedly Reopening ACA Enrollment; Moderna Developing COVID-19 Booster; Brazil Variant Now in US
President Joe Biden reportedly will take executive action to reopen federal marketplaces selling Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans; Moderna investigating booster shot designed to be more effective against emerging variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Brazil coronavirus variant is found in Minnesota.
FDA Approves First Oral Therapy for Lupus Nephritis
Voclosporin, the first FDA-approved oral therapy for lupus nephritis, will be sold as Lupkynis by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals and is approved for use in conjunction with immunosuppressive treatment.
What We're Reading: Mitigating Variant Spread; Vaccine Supply Garners Concern; Merck Ends Vaccine Development
President to sign travel ban meant to contain more contagious variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); limited vaccine supply concerns top health officials; Merck ends COVID-19 vaccine development.
Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Executive Orders on Public Health Reform and Other Health News
What We’re Reading: FDA Clears First Monthly Shot for HIV; Biologic for COVID-19 Shows Promise; Food Aid to Rise
The FDA approved the first injectable monthly treatment for HIV; Eli Lilly announced positive effects of its monoclonal antibody treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on food insecurity.
AJMC® in the Press, January 22, 2021
What We’re Reading: Vaccine Effective Against COVID-19 Variant; Amazon Offers Vaccine Distribution Assistance; Drug Safety Labeling Changes for Enhertu
New research shows Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine is effective against the B.1.1.7. variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Amazon offers to aid vaccine distribution; FDA issues drug safety labeling changes for Enhertu.
What We’re Reading: Trial Loses Participants; Moderna Vaccine Allergic Reactions; LGBTQ Health Care Discrimination
Elderly individuals have started to withdraw from Novovax’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trial; California reports possible allergic reactions to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine; LGBTQ individuals increasingly report being refused health care treatment.
What We're Reading: Coronavirus Variant Spreading; Vaccine Trials in Adolescents; HHS Relaxes Addiction Medicine Regulation
In California, a novel variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be less susceptible to approved vaccines; COVID-19 vaccine trials are assessing efficacy in adolescents; HHS relaxes a regulation on prescribing addiction medication.
