Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

AbbVie, Samsung Bioepis in Deal; Humira Biosimilar U.S. Release in 2023

Tamara Mathias  |  

(Reuters)—AbbVie Inc. on Thursday said it signed a deal with Samsung Bioepis and its joint venture partner Biogen Inc. that would fend off U.S. competition of their biosimilar version to blockbuster drug, adalimumab (Humira), until 2023. This is the second deal AbbVie has signed over the past year as it tries to safeguard patents on Humira,…

The ACR Updates Biosimilar Position Statement

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In March, the ACR released a white paper designed primarily to help rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals gain an understanding of biosimilars.1 This research-based education piece examines the scientific, economic and prescribing issues related to the use of biosimilars. Now, the ACR has released an update to its official position statement on the use of…

Arkansas PBM Bill: A Step in the Right Direction

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During a three-day special legislative session in March, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) signed into law the first bill in the U.S. intended to address a lack of transparency among pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their role in the high cost of prescription drugs.1 The bill, H.B. 1010: Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act, will…

Prior Authorizations Hurt Patients & Practices

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The ACR was part of a 16-member collaboration that created a set of 21 principles on prior authorization and utilization management, intended to ensure that patients receive timely and medically necessary care and medications and reduce the administrative burdens. More than 100 other healthcare organizations support those principles. Now, the AMA has released the results…

Write Your Letter to the Editor: The ACR Makes It Easy

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Elected officials and government entities make decisions every day that directly affect your practice and ability to treat patients. Although the ACR continues to be your eyes and ears in Washington, D.C., often the most effective agents of change are citizens, like you, who get involved in the legislative process. It’s easy to be an…

Make Advocacy a Healthy Habit: A Conversation with Christina Downey, MD

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While growing up in California’s capital city, Sacramento, Christina Downey, MD, learned early on that it’s important to speak up for what’s important to her. When she completed her fellowship and joined the ACR in 2015, she found her way to the ACR’s Advocacy 101 program, which trains rheumatologists to become advocates in Washington, D.C.,…

Supply & Demand: Where Will the Rheumatology Workforce Be in 2030?

Arthritis Care & Research  |  

According to the “2015 American College of Rheumatology Workforce Study: Supply and Demand Projections of Adult Rheumatology Workforce, 2015–2030,” the demand for rheumatologic care is projected to exceed supply of clinical adult rheumatology providers by 4,133 clinical FTEs by 2030. The research now being published estimates the baseline adult rheumatology workforce, as well as determined demographic and geographic factors relevant to the workforce. The research also highlights the need for innovative regional strategies to manage future access to and reduce barriers to care for rheumatology patients in underserved regions…