New research examines the role of factor Xa in the pathology of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus-associated APS. Researchers found that FXa stimulation was mediated by protease-activated receptors and enhanced by IgG from FXa reactive antibody positive patients, which may make IgG FXa reactivity a novel biomarker for future research…
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—A bipartisan deal to stabilize Obamacare by restoring billions of dollars of federal subsidies to health insurers picked up Republican support in the Senate on Thursday despite President Donald Trump’s opposition but still faced an uphill battle. Republican Senator Lamar Alexander and Democratic Senator Patty Murray formally introduced legislation to shore up the insurance…
(Reuters)—The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the agency was working with several pharmaceutical and medical device companies in Puerto Rico to prevent shortages of medical products in the U.S. as it joins a massive effort to help rebuild the island that was ravaged by Hurricane Maria.1 Drugmakers are working to get…
NEW YORK (Reuters)—President Donald Trump’s reversals in the past week on maintaining Obamacare subsidies to insurers are sowing new confusion over what kind of health insurance will be available to consumers, and at what price, when enrollment for 2018 begins in two weeks. Trump said last week his administration would stop paying billions of dollars…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—A biosimilar version of infliximab appears as effective as the original for treating pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD), and less costly, new research shows. “These baseline data have now enabled us to confidently switch patients from originator to biosimilar, adopting the same prospective methodology to monitor effectiveness, safety and cost,” Dr. Lisa…
Pain, limited mobility and lower quality of life—these aspects of living with osteoarthritis may result in severe depression. New research from Alan Rathbun, PhD, MPH, may enable physicians to better understand the intersection of physical and mental health so they can improve overall patient care…
ZURICH (Reuters)—Swiss drugmaker Novartis is to cut 450 jobs in the United States over the next two years as it gradually shuts a generics manufacturing plant in Colorado and discontinues some products in the face of intense price pressures. “To remain competitive in the U.S., Novartis will discontinue or divest limited growth products in saturated…
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters)—Tom Westerman voted for Donald Trump in last year’s election but says he might not do so again after the president cut off billions of dollars in Obamacare subsidies to health insurance companies. “It really upset me,” said Westerman, 63, a self-described “middle-class guy” with an annual household income of about $60,000 in the…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The rate of knee replacement surgery among older women with knee osteoarthritis is lower in those who take bisphosphonates than in those who don’t, according to a database study. Knee osteoarthritis accounts for 97% of all knee replacement surgeries. Trials of bisphosphonates in knee osteoarthritis have yielded conflicting results. To learn more,…
Greetings, advocates! Here’s a brief, interim hodgepodge of updates to keep you posted on government advocacy before the deluge of information swamps you in San Diego. The Next Big Thing: Part B Drug Reimbursements Medicare currently plans to adjust reimbursement of doctors in the MIPS program in 2019, not only based on E/M office services,…