Greetings, advocates! Your government is back to work after ending a brief government shutdown by passing a short-term continuing resolution (CR), which will keep the government running at current funding levels into February. At some point, it would be great for Congress to pass a budget (instead of a CR) and to enact bipartisan plans…
CMS Approves Policy to Exempt Providers Affected by Natural Disasters from MIPS 2017 Reporting
During the 2017 MIPS transition year, eligible clinicians faced many challenges, including extreme and uncontrollable disasters, such as the California wildfires and Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. In light of this and the understanding that practices may not be able to collect or submit program data for an extended period of time, the Centers for…
U.S. Hospital Systems Team Up to Launch Generic Drugmaker
NEW YORK (Reuters)—A group of four hospital systems plans to launch a not-for-profit generic drugmaker aimed at combating shortages and high costs of some generic drugs, which they blame on unscrupulous drug companies that hike prices. Intermountain Healthcare said on Thursday it was working with three other large U.S.-based hospital systems including Ascension, SSM Health…
Kelly Weselman, MD, FACR: Spreading Good in Words & Deeds
Communication is invaluable when it comes to spreading the word about many different aspects of care for rheumatic diseases, whether it’s evidence-based patient education support for rheumatologists, information on access to medication options for patients or helping educate the public about the practice of rheumatology. That’s according to Kelly Weselman, MD, FACR, a rheumatologist with…
U.S. Senate Committee Advances Azar Nomination as Health Secretary
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday voted to move forward the nomination of Alex Azar, a former drug industry executive and lobbyist whom President Donald Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of Health and Human Services. The Senate Finance Committee voted 15-12 to advance Azar’s nomination, with all but one Democrat opposing….
Changes in Bone Markers Predict Fracture Reduction with Anti-Resorptive Drug
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Treatment-related changes in bone formation markers predict vertebral-fracture reduction with anti-resorptive drug therapy, according to a meta-regression analysis of 14 clinical trials. “These results may be useful for the development of new osteoporosis treatments or when considering new populations or dosing regimens with existing treatments,” Dr. Douglas C. Bauer from the University…
Wal-Mart Launches Program to Safely Dispose of Unused Opioids
NEW YORK (Reuters)—Wal-Mart Stores Inc on Wednesday said it will provide customers filling prescriptions for opioids with a packet of powder that will help them dispose of leftover medication in order to help curb misuse and abuse. The company said patients filling any new class II opioid prescriptions at its pharmacies will receive a free…
Biosimilars: Still Waiting for Promise to Materialize
During the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, advances in biosimilar treatments were abuzz. However, many speakers noted that the presence of biosimilars on the market has not yet resulted in greater access to treatment and lower drug pricing in the U.S…
Hip Fractures Increasing in Older U.S. Women
(Reuters Health)—The incidence of hip fractures in older women in the U.S. is rising after more than a decade of decline, according to a large new study of Medicare recipients. Hip fracture rates declined each year from 2002–2012, the researchers found. But starting in 2013, hip fracture rates leveled off and were higher than expected….
Skin Exam Advised Before Anti-TNF-Alpha Therapy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Using tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors for atypical dermatoses may unmask, or perhaps even worsen, cutaneous lymphoma, according to new research. “Our findings suggest that careful skin examination might be required in all patients prescribed anti-TNF-alpha agents, especially those with atypical presentations of benign skin conditions,” says Dr. Joan Guitart of…
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