Search results for: hospital

Newer Biologics for RA on Par with TNF-Inhibitors for CV Risk

Laura Newman | February 2, 2016

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The newer disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis appear to offer the same or even better cardiovascular (CV) protection than older tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, hints a large study. “We really haven’t had a good understanding on where the non-TNF biologics and CV risk stand,” Dr. Jeffrey R. Curtis of the University…

3 Clinical Trials Examine Sirukumab for RA; Plus TNF-α Combination & Monotherapies Are Compared for Treating PsA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | January 27, 2016

Three clinical trials are evaluating subcutaneous sirukumab for safety and efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis. And a study found no significant difference in persistence and remission for TNF-α monotherapy when compared with TNF-α plus conventional DMARD combination therapy for treating psoriatic arthritis…

With Genetic Testing Results, More May Be Better

Kathryn Doyle | January 26, 2016

(Reuters Health)—When people undergo genetic testing to find out whether they’re at risk for a specific disease, doctors often wonder how much information to give them. What if the genetic testing results reveal a risk for a disease the patient hadn’t been wondering about? Geneticists are “grappling with what to do with all the information…

2016 Deadline Imposed by Meaningful Use Program Requires Immediate Attention: Sign Up for 2 Registries by Feb. 29 or Expect Financial Penalty

Kathy Holliman | January 25, 2016

Meaningful Use may be changing but it is not going away—yet. Rheumatologists must sign up with two of three registries by Feb. 29 or pay significant financial penalties for not complying with this specific part of the Meaningful Use requirements. The three choices for registries include the Immunization Registry, the Syndromic Surveillance Registry and a…

Aetna’s Deal for Humana May Push Up Costs for Seniors

Diane Bartz | January 24, 2016

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Aetna Inc.’s plan to buy smaller insurer Humana Inc. for $31 billion will mean seniors will pay higher Medicare Advantage premiums, according to a new report by the think tank Center for American Progress (CAP). Aetna’s proposed deal for Humana would combine Aetna’s 7% of the Medicare Advantage market with Humana’s 19%, and make…

U.S. Government Suspends Enrollment in Cigna Medicare Advantage, Drug Plans

Caroline Humer | January 23, 2016

(Reuters)—The U.S. government has suspended new enrollment in Cigna Corp’s Medicare Advantage health plans for seniors and standalone Medicare prescription drug plans, citing noncompliance in its appeals and grievances procedures. The government said Cigna had deficiencies in its appeals and grievances processes in both Medicare Advantage and the Medicare prescription drug program, according to a…

Small Increased Risk for CIN & Cervical CA with TNF Inhibitors

Laura Newman | January 21, 2016

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and those taking a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor are at increased risk of cervical cancer, according to a study from Sweden. “Whether this (the increase in invasive cancers) was due to the TNF inhibitors, disease severity, or…

Secukinumab Receives 2 New Approvals: PsA & AS

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | January 20, 2016

The FDA approved secukinumab (Cosentyx) this past week for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis and active psoriatic arthritis. These two new approvals are based on the safety and efficacy outcomes from four placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials in more than 1,500 adults with AS or PsA…

Opioid Investigated to Treat Acute & Chronic OA Pain; Plus New RA Treatment & More

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | January 20, 2016

In Phase 2 trials, the oral opioid, CR845, has proved promising in treating pain in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. Olokizumab is being investigated to treat RA, and in Canada, adalimumab has been approved to treat polyarticular JIA in 2–4 year-olds…

French ‘Cannabis’ Drug Trial Volunteer Dies

Reuters Staff | January 19, 2016

RENNES, France (Reuters)—A man left brain dead after a drug trial in northwest France died on Sunday, said the hospital where he was being treated. The Rennes hospital said in a statement that five other volunteers were in stable condition after they were admitted last week. In total, 90 people took part in the trial of the drug made…