Skylar Jeremias

Long-term exposure to multiple air pollutants may silently wreak havoc on your gut, significantly increasing the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and underscoring the urgent need for public health policies that clean the air we breathe and protect our digestive health.

Exercise is a powerful modulator of gut health in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, as moderate activity can ease gut inflammation, reduce colorectal cancer risk, and relieve constipation, while intense workouts may backfire, causing reflux, GI bleeding, or gut barrier disruption.

Healthy dietary patterns, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, may significantly reduce the risk and mortality of gastrointestinal cancers, while diets high in red and processed meats, alcohol, and sugary beverages can increase these risks.

Despite significant advancements in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) management, unmet needs persist, especially for patients aged 2 and older without early treatment.

New drug delivery technologies, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and self-powered microgrippers, are showing great potential for enhancing targeted treatment and sustained release of medications in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

A surge of generics, biosimilars, and innovative therapies is expected in 2025, addressing conditions from cancer to chronic diseases, as outlined at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy annual meeting.

FDA-approved treatments for spinal muscular atrophy differ in their mechanisms of action, safety profiles, and administration challenges, with key selection factors like patient age and gene copy number, according to Julie Parsons, MD, a professor and neurologist from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Amid growing legislative pressures and industry debates, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are exploring new strategies to enhance transparency, reduce patient costs, and navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.

Rising biosimilar adoption, shifting market dynamics, and escalating supply chain vulnerabilities are driving change in managed care, creating both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders, as explored by speakers at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s annual meeting.

As health care costs continue to rise, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions are emerging as a powerful tool for managing specialty drug spending and polypharmacy risks, as showcased in recent research presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2025 conference.

Federal legislative and regulatory changes are reshaping pharmacy practice, with key challenges in government funding, pharmacy benefit manager reform, and health care policy shifts—topics explored by experts at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's annual meeting.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) may be restricting Medicare Part D formularies, increasing patient costs, and stifling pharmaceutical innovation, experts warned at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2025 annual meeting.

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, including ruxolitinib cream and abrocitinib, demonstrate strong efficacy in atopic dermatitis (AD), offering viable alternatives to systemic therapies.

Kimberly Westrich, MA, chief strategy officer at the National Pharmaceutical Council, highlights upcoming discussions on patient engagement, formulary management, and policy changes, including the Inflation Reduction Act.

As managed care pharmacy navigates rapid transformations in policies, high-cost drug strategies, and innovative therapies, the upcoming AMCP annual meeting will provide critical insights into legislative impacts, drug affordability, formulary design, and emerging treatment trends.

Access to timely treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) remains a challenge, with barriers including delays in diagnosis, frequent treatment needs, and insurance coverage gaps, which impact patient care and quality of life.

Celiac disease can lead to both disease-related and diet-induced vitamin deficiencies, making it crucial for patients to receive tailored nutritional management to ensure adequate nutritional intake.

Adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who smoke may face heightened challenges in quitting due to severe IBS symptoms and anxiety sensitivity, which increase perceived barriers and reinforce the belief that smoking helps relieve negative emotions.

A multidisciplinary approach, early diagnosis, and comprehensive caregiver education are crucial in effectively managing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

There is insufficient evidence to support exclusive enteral nutrition as an adjunctive therapy for active ulcerative colitis, despite its good tolerability and low discontinuation rates, according to a systematic review.

Achieving cost sustainability in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care requires expanding access to cost-effective treatments, increasing biosimilar adoption, and implementing policies that reduce financial disparities and improve long-term patient outcomes.

Advancements in ocular technology, teleretinal imaging, and low-vision aids, including artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses, were highlighted in research posters at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry 2025.

Health care providers must recognize and address the high prevalence of anxiety in gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology outpatients, as its bidirectional relationship with chronic conditions can significantly impact both physical and emotional wellbeing, according to a global review.

Effective communication, cultural competence, and patient advocacy are keys to overcoming language barriers in eye care, as highlighted in a presentation at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry 2025.

Advancements in dry eye care focus on improvements seen in patients treated with cyclosporine 0.09% following inadequate responses at a lower dose, and customizable scleral lenses offer a nonsurgical option for Salzmann nodular degeneration, enhancing vision and comfort.

New anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are improving retinal disease management by providing patients with more treatment options, optimizing timing, and introducing innovative administration methods.

The effectiveness of laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in managing angle closure glaucoma is uncertain, with studies suggesting that phacoemulsification may provide better intraocular pressure control and long-term outcomes, as discussed at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry 2025.

Artificial intelligence, surgical innovations, and wearable technology are transforming eye care, enhancing patient outcomes and clinical efficiency, as discussed during the keynote presentation at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry (SECO) 2025.

The classification of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) subtypes, the influence of SMN2 gene copies on disease severity, treatment effects on disease progression, age-related differences, long-term management strategies, and adequate muscle function monitoring are all important aspects of SMA care.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty, artificial intelligence–driven diagnostics, and new drug delivery systems are transforming glaucoma care and improving patient outcomes, according to a panel of experts.