Each year the American Medical Association’s CPT code manual is revised to delete codes and/or guidelines, and to add or revise codes to reflect current technologies, techniques and services. Medicare and all other payers are switching to the new 2018 CPT codes for X-rays of the chest. The original codes for a chest X-ray were…
E6011 & Tocilizumab Monotherapy Studies Show Promising Results for RA Patients
New RA Antibody Treatment SAN DIEGO—A recent study examined the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of E6011, an anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 Researchers presented the results of this first 52-week trial of E6011 at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in November. Fractalkine (CX3CL1/FKN) is a chemokine that regulates chemotaxis and adhesion…
Rheumatologists Air Frustrations with Pharmacy Benefit Managers at Annual Meeting
SAN DIEGO—Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on drug prices and access to high-cost medications by the patients rheumatologists treat was a major theme at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Nov. 3–8. In one session, industry experts tried to clarify the role for prior authorizations and drug formulary policies and explored ways to constructively…
Should Patients with Rheumatic Disease Switch from Biologic to Biosimilar?
SAN DIEGO—Should patients with rheumatic diseases switch from a biologic to its biosimilar? At the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting’s Great Debate, held Nov. 5, two rheumatologists argued whether to switch or stay put based on safety, efficacy and potential cost savings. First to the podium to make the case for switching, Jonathan Kay, MD, tweaked…
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…
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…
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…
Bimekizumab Improves Joint & Skin Symptoms in PsA Patients
Preliminary results from an ongoing study show that bimekizumab improves joint and skin symptoms in patients with psoriatic arthritis…
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