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What We're Reading: VA Healthcare Operations Still Require "Urgent Reform"
What we're reading, July 6, 2016: the Department of Veterans Affairs has made progress, but still has a long way to go; court upholds 6-month delay for biosimilars; and Apple promotes organ donation with iPhone app.
The quality of healthcare provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is inconsistent from one site to the next. A new report found that problems with access to care still remain 2 years after long wait times for veterans seeking healthcare was first brought to light, according to the AP. While the VA has made huge progress—nearly 97% of appointments are now completed within 30 days of the preferred date—the report noted there is still a long way to go. In addition, a program that makes it easier for veterans to get private care was not as being significantly flawed.
Biosimilar makers must notify brand-name rivals 6 months before they launch. The federal appeals court ruling could impact healthcare costs as the decision will delay competition, reported STAT. The court ruled that the 180-day notice is required and cannot be given until the biosimilar company receives FDA approval.
Apple is promoting organ donation for iPhone users. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, this fall, iPhone users will be able to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors through the Health app. Apple is just the latest tech company to expand organ donation awareness. Facebook added a feature in 2012, and this year Instagram ran a campaign featuring people needing heart transplants.
EHA Plenary Abstracts Zoom in From Investigational Drugs to Molecular Signatures
June 14th 2025Abstracts presented during the plenary session of the 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress spanned from novel drug regimens for myeloma and lymphoma to investigation of leukemias on the molecular and genetic levels.
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Blister Packs May Help Solve Medication Adherence Challenges and Lower Health Care Costs
June 10th 2025Julia Lucaci, PharmD, MS, of Becton, Dickinson and Company, discusses the benefits of blister packaging for chronic medications, advocating for payer incentives to boost medication adherence and improve health outcomes.
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COVID-19 Deaths Cloud Interpretation of Acalabrutinib-Venetoclax Combo Results
June 13th 2025A combination of acalabrutinib and venetoclax showed better results with the addition of obinutuzumab, whereas mixed findings in a cross-trial comparison were complicated by the inclusion of deaths related to COVID-19.
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Measurable Residual Disease in Decision-Making: An Opportunity, but Not a Promise
June 13th 2025Skepticism still persists around the use of measurable residual disease (MRD) for clinical and regulatory decision-making in the European context, but panelists explained the next steps that are required to advance the use of MRD.
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