Pharmacy-based HIV care: Emerging territory and patient perspectives.
The International AIDS Society's biennial conference will be held in Munich, Germany, from July 22-26, 2024, and will bring together more than 11,000 participants, including activists, researchers, and health professionals, to discuss advances in HIV/AIDS treatment and advocacy. Jennifer Kokohova, PharmD, MAS, AAHIVP, McKesson Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Interim Chair of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy, presented a study on attitudes toward pharmacy-administered long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART). Kokohova highlighted the importance of pharmacists in community care and described how LA-ART has transformed HIV treatment by addressing medication adherence challenges. However, her study revealed patients' mixed feelings toward pharmacy-administered LA-ART, highlighting concerns about privacy and staff turnover, especially among patients already accustomed to clinic-administered treatment.
Mixed reactions after CMS announces Medicare drug price negotiations
CMS's recent announcement that it would reduce Medicare prices for 10 drugs selected for negotiation under the Inflation Control Act (IRA) elicited mixed reactions. Some groups, such as the Senate Finance Committee and the American College of Rheumatology, praised the initiative for lowering costs and improving access to medicines for seniors, while others, such as the Biosimilars Forum and the National Pharmaceutical Council, criticized it for potentially stifling competition and innovation. Concerns were also raised about the impact on biosimilars and the broader impact on drug development and market dynamics. Despite the projected savings, skepticism remains about whether patients will truly benefit from reduced out-of-pocket costs and continued access to needed treatments.
Following FDA rejection, experts debate MDMA therapy to improve care for veterans with PTSD*
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The FDA's decision to deny midazolam (MDMA) capsules combined with assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is reigniting the debate over psychedelic therapy. Although the therapy showed promise in a Phase 3 trial, the FDA found the data insufficient and required another Phase 3 trial. The decision disappointed many in the veteran community, mental health advocates, and researchers who saw MDMA-AT as a potential breakthrough treatment. Critics of the FDA's decision argue that it delays access to a much-needed treatment option, especially for veterans suffering from PTSD. Advocates highlight the urgency of continued research and development to fill gaps in PTSD treatment, while also addressing ethical concerns in the evolving field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Increasing GIST cases: The need for research and prevention
Over the past two decades, the incidence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has increased substantially at most organ sites, with marked variations in survival rates across racial and ethnic groups. Advances in diagnostic technology may explain part of this increase, but concerns have also emerged about the potential for overdiagnosis and the role of lifestyle factors such as obesity. The study highlights large racial disparities in overall survival, with ethnic minorities more likely to experience higher mortality, likely due to inequalities in access to and costs of care. The findings call for further research into the environmental and lifestyle contributions to GIST and targeted prevention efforts among ethnic minorities.
Obesity in Action: Dr. Eden Miller discusses America's obesity epidemic and insurance shortcomings
On this week's Managed Care Cast, Dr. Eden Miller, founder of Diabetes and Obesity Care Clinic in Bend, Oregon, talks about his recently published study, “Underinsurance Coverage for Overweight/Obesity Management.” Dr. Miller explores the growing obesity epidemic in the United States and highlights the critical issue of underinsurance coverage for obesity management. Dr. Miller delves into the barriers patients face in receiving effective treatment, offers recommendations for improving obesity management, and highlights the need for policy changes and increased insurance coverage to better support individuals struggling with obesity.
