Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.
Review Calls For Clear Guidance to Ensure Patient Centricity in Orphan Drug Trials
July 12th 2020Researchers called for new guidance to address the underreporting of patient engagement in rare disease clinical trials after finding a dismal amount of patient-reported outcome measures listed in orphan drug labeling claims.
Authors Call for More Research on Rare Blood Cancers to Fill Knowledge Gaps
July 4th 2020Authors hope that identifying knowledge gaps surrounding rare blood cancers, such as essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera, will inspire the science community to invest in new comprehensive research on how to properly diagnose and treat patients.
Combination Therapy More Effective Than Standard Treatment for Rare Blood Disease
June 16th 2020A study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers revealed that a combined treatment featuring daratumumab in conjunction with the standard-of-care for patients with amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis was more effective in improving the condition than the standard treatment alone.
Immunosuppressive Psoriatic Drugs Don't Increase Risks for COVID-19 Complications
June 13th 2020Authors of an opinion piece concluded that not only are immunosuppressed patients with psoriasis not at an increased risk of developing serious complications related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), their medications may help mitigate potential issues.
Orphan Drug Reimbursements Create Tough Situation for South Korean Public Budget
June 12th 2020A data analysis of real-world data found that the rise of orphan drugs (ODs) in the Republic of Korea has not solved all patient accessibility issues as budget concerns can make it difficult to justify reimbursements.
Sociodemographic Factors Influence Outcomes Among Patients With Psoriasis
May 22nd 2020A patient’s sex, disease duration, and residence were the most common sociodemographic factors shown to affect illness acceptance, life satisfaction, sense of stigmatization, and quality of life among those who have psoriasis, according to the results of a recent study.
Pharmacies Adapt in the Wake of Challenges Created by COVID-19, Panel Says
May 15th 2020In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pharmacies have implemented new strategies to ensure their patients continue to receive care, especially for those who have lost their insurance or have underlying conditions, speakers said this week during the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) 2020 Annual Meeting.
Expanding Use of Biosimilar Pegfilgrastim Could Save Millions, Study Says
May 10th 2020Expanding access to biosimilar pegfilgrastim (Ziextenzo) for patients at intermediate risk of febrile neutropenia and converting patients at high risk who are on the reference product (Neulasta) could save millions in healthcare costs, according to new study results.
Psoriasis Guidelines From AAD, NPF Spotlight Comorbidities
May 8th 2020Guidelines created by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) address care management and treatment options for patients with psoriasis in relation to the increased risk of developing inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic conditions.
FDA Approves Orphan Drug Pemigatinib for Rare Bile Duct Cancer Cholangiocarcinoma
April 20th 2020The FDA Friday approved pemigatinib for adults with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or other rearrangement.
Socioeconomic, Personality Factors Found to Impact Quality of Life for Patients With Facial Palsy
April 19th 2020Researchers found that the factors most associated with health related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with facial palsy are age, bilateral facial palsy, severity of facial palsy, anxiety, and key personality traits, including extraversion and emotional stability.
FDA, FTC Need to Strengthen Biosimilar Efforts, AHIP Says
April 18th 2020AHIP wants the FDA and FTC to streamline product approvals, clarify the regulations governing biosimilars, put a stop to attempts to discourage people from using biosimilars, and start educating providers and patients about the safety and efficacy of these products.
FDA Issues Guidance for Developers Targeting Therapies for Single Enzyme Defect Diseases
April 12th 2020The FDA released guidance on what sponsors should take into account when trying to demonstrate clinical effectiveness of new treatments in patients with slowly progressive, low-prevalence rare diseases with substrate deposition that result from single enzyme defects.