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What We’re Reading: Fauci to Testify Before Congress; FDA Recommends Targeting JN.1 Variant; Inhaler Price Caps Set to Begin
Fauci’s first testimony since leaving government service set to address alleged misconduct and pandemic management; vaccine makers advised to focus on JN.1 and derived subvariants; AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim introduce $35 monthly cap on inhalers.
Fauci to Testify Before Congress Amid Scrutiny Over COVID-19 Response
On Monday, Anthony Fauci, MD, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and a key figure in the US COVID-19 response, will testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, according to The Hill. This marks his first congressional testimony since September 2022. The hearing is expected to be contentious, with Republicans focusing on alleged misconduct and Fauci's leadership during the pandemic, while Democrats emphasize the lessons learned and future public health strategies.
FDA Recommends Targeting JN.1 Variant for Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccines
The FDA has advised vaccine manufacturers to target the JN.1 variant and its subvariants, such as KP.2, when developing its COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 campaign, according to Reuters. With KP.2 currently accounting for a significant proportion of cases, this strategy aims to provide broad protection while remaining adaptable to future changes in the virus. The FDA's independent expert panel will meet on Wednesday to discuss and make recommendations on the strain that the updated COVID-19 boosters should target.
New Price Caps on Inhalers to Provide Financial Relief for Many Americans
Starting Saturday, many Americans will see reduced costs for asthma inhalers as AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim introduce a $35 monthly out-of-pocket price cap, according to NBC News. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will implement a similar cap by January 1. While this move is a positive step for affordability, advocates say it highlights the broader issue of high drug prices in the US and the need for more extensive reforms to ensure access to life-saving medications.
Varied Access: The Pharmacogenetic Testing Coverage Divide
February 18th 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the author of a study published in the February 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® to uncover significant differences in coverage decisions for pharmacogenetic tests across major US health insurers.
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Senate Questions NIH Nominee on Funding, Transparency, and COVID-19 Impact
March 5th 2025Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, defended his vision for the National Institutes of Health in a Senate committee confirmation hearing, tackling concerns on research funding, public trust, and scientific integrity.
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Patients With Disabilities Report Low Access to Culturally Sensitive Care
March 3rd 2025This investigation analyzes public data on adult patients from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, including how often they were treated with respect and could see health care providers who shared their cultural views.
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