NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—U.K. experts propose evidence-based management strategies for rheumatology patients on immunosuppressive therapy, including delaying/postponing rituximab, as appropriate. “The aim of this viewpoint article is to outline the existing data on the effect of anti-rheumatic therapy on vaccine responses in patients with inflammatory arthritis and to formulate a possible pragmatic strategy for the…
Health Canada Approves Certolizumab Pegol & NICE Issues Guidance for Certolizumab Pegol
Certolizumab pegol has been approved in Canada for treating adults with plaque psoriasis. The U.K. has also issued its final guidance for the treatment’s use…
New Insights & Approvals for Baricitinib
New research shows that baricitinib is a safe and effective RA treatment. The medication has also been approved for use in Japan and is recommended for use in the U.K…
U.K. Competition Watchdog Accuses Merck of Obstructing Biosimilars
LONDON (Reuters)—Britain’s competition watchdog has accused Merck & Co of operating an unfair discount scheme for its medicine Remicade (infliximab) that it said was designed to restrict competition from so-called biosimilar copies. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it had provisionally found the U.S. company’s European unit, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), had abused…
English Hospitals Divert Ambulances After Ransomware Cyber Attack
LONDON (Reuters)—Hospitals and doctors’ surgeries across England were forced to turn away patients and cancel appointments on Friday after a nationwide ‘ransomware’ cyber attack crippled some computer systems in the state-run health service. The U.K. National Health Service (NHS) said 16 organizations had been affected by the cyber attack but said it had not been…
Doctors in England Suspend Mass Walkout Until January after Talks
LONDON (Reuters)—Doctors in Britain’s state-funded health service announced on the eve of a planned mass walkout they would suspend it until January after “conciliatory talks” with the government over new pay and conditions. The strike had been due to start on Tuesday, involving doctors in training, or junior doctors, who represent just over half of…