AJMC Staff

What we're reading, January 4, 2017: Republicans in Congress may also make changes to Medicare; churches and faith-based organizations launch syringe exchanges; and judge rules Amgen's PCSK9 patent is valid.

The first patient has been treated with ruxolitinib (Jakafi), by Incyte Corporation, for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease, as part of the REACH-1 phase 2 trial. The trial is evaluating ruxolitinib in combination with corticosteroids.

What we're reading, January 3, 2017: Colorado's Affordable Care Act exchange misused more than $9 million in federal funds; an over-the-counter birth control may be coming to the United States; and returning health data to patients could reduce health record breaches.

What we're reading, January 2, 2017: drug makers are taking a cautious approach to off-label promotion; Republicans eye changes to Medicaid under Trump administration; and the impact of geography on health.

A review of our peer-reviewed research in the healthcare and mainstream press.

What we're reading, December 30, 2016: fake news has also been prevalent in science in 2016; the CDC is considering lowering the lead level threshold for children; and globalization is tied to rising obesity levels.

What we're reading, December 29, 2016: President-elect Donald J. Trump considers privatizing veterans' medical care; a new task force to improve sharing of pregnancy status data; and medical marijuana legalization reduced traffic fatalities.

What we're reading, December 28, 2016: a county in West Virginia is suing 3 national drug distributors for allegedly fueling the opioid epidemic; CDC awards new funding as another Zika case is reported in Texas; and first drug to treat spinal muscular atrophy approved.

What we’re reading, December 27, 2016: nurses are viewed as most ethical and honest profession in America, followed by pharmacists and physicians; over half of Brazilian women reported avoiding pregnancy due to the Zika virus; cooking interventions may help low-income parents feel more positive about preparing and eating vegetables.

What we're reading, December 26, 2016: Medicare starts looking into drug-resistant infections in hospitals; Republicans may not repeal all of Obamacare's taxes when they repeal the law; and a program that partners drug addicts with police officers to get help.

What we’re reading, December 23, 2016: HHS secretary nominee Rep. Tom Price traded $300,000 in healthcare stocks while sponsoring health-related legislature; an economist and a physician suggest creation of digital health biographies; CMS hopes to incentivize cardiac rehabilitation program participation.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research in the healthcare and mainstream press.

What we're reading, December 22, 2016: Americans continue to sign up for Obamacare coverage despite Republicans' promise to repeal the law; California is implementing a $3 billion effort to help the state’s neediest individuals; and Zika vaccine shows success.

The expanded use for Novo Nordisk's new basal insulin comes 15 months after the initial FDA approval.

What we're reading, December 21, 2016: researchers are racing to download Obamacare data before Donald Trump takes office; tens of millions of Americans import prescriptions illegally; and 4 more criminal charges in Flint water crisis.

What we’re reading, December 20, 2016: Purdue Pharma, which makes OxyContin, plans to expand its sales of the drug in foreign markets; family members blame hospital for not warning them about low-quality nursing home; a project to place blast sensors on soldiers to learn more about concussions has been discontinued.

The FDA has provided accelerated approval for rupacarib along with the first next-generation sequencing—based companion diagnostic test, for the treatment of women with advanced ovarian cancer.

What we're reading, December 19, 2016: how hospitals are altering routines to address rising drug costs; in Colorado, proponents of the aid-in-dying law are searching for more affordable options for the drug to induce death in terminally ill patients; and the 3000 areas in the United States with higher blood lead levels than Flint, Michigan.

A review of our peer-reviewed research in the healthcare and mainstream press.

What we’re reading, December 16, 2016: consumers now have until December 19 to enroll in a marketplace plan for coverage starting on January 1; 20 states file lawsuit against 6 pharmaceutical companies alleging generic price fixing; women who were tested for the BRCA mutation gene after Angelina Jolie’s announcement may not have been at high risk to begin with.

What we're reading, December 15, 2016: Democrats won't help repeal the Affordable Care Act, but some may help pass a replacement; drug makers push new opioids despite lack of evidence they reduce overdoses; CDC issues Zika virus travel advisory for Texas town.

What we're reading, December 14, 2016: many Obamacare enrollees voted for Donald Trump expecting him to fix, not repeal, the law; President Barack Obama signs 21st Century Cures Act into law; Ohio Governor John Kasich vetoes one abortion bill, signs another.

What we're reading, December 13, 2016: 1 in 6 American adults are prescribed psychiatric drugs; veterans groups want Donald Trump to keep the current Veterans Affairs secretary; and the number of drug-affected newborns is rising more in rural areas.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has found that step therapy can be cost-effective in patients with cancer who are under psychological duress.

What we’re reading, December 12, 2016: veterans with dementia who used both the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system and Medicare were more likely to be prescribed potentially unsafe medications; HHS will begin to conduct on-site privacy compliance audits in 2017; study finds that women with strong social connections have better breast cancer outcomes.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research in the healthcare and mainstream press.

What we’re reading, December 9, 2016: insurers haven’t taken advantage of 2011 Georgia law allowing interstate policy sales; 6 former executives of Insys Therapeutics arrested for fraudulently boosting sales of their fentanyl drug; with a month left in the year, 2016 has already seen decade-high mumps outbreaks.

What we’re reading, December 8, 2016: Senate overwhelmingly passes the 21st Century Cures Act, sending it to President Obama for approval; Surgeon General issues a report calling for action to reduce e-cigarette use by young people; soaring costs of naloxone may hinder efforts to prevent opioid overdoses.

What we're reading, December 7, 2016: health insurers provide demands if Republicans repeal Obamacare; women face 20% higher healthcare costs in retirement; and immunotherapies are being considered for sepsis.

What we're reading, December 6, 2016: Members of the GOP are unhappy with the leadership's plans for a 3-year repeal and replace of Obamacare; California bill would require superbugs be listed on death certificates; and Novo Nordisk promises to limit drug price hikes.