Value-based care in rheumatology continues to evolve, and rheumatologists can stay active with advocacy efforts behind value-based care and other government relations initiatives.
Executive Order Targets Prescription Drugs & Health Insurance to Promote Competition
On July 9, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order designed to promote competition in the U.S. economy. The order includes 72 initiatives related to various aspects of the economy, including prescription drugs and health insurance.1 For prescription drugs, Americans pay more than 2.5 times as much for the same prescription drugs as patients…
Rheumatology Care: Access & Affordability
Presenters at the Access in Rheumatology meeting held in advance of the ACR’s State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium took a deep dive into the access challenges faced by rheumatology patients and discussed possible solutions. Treatment At least until 2026, prescription drug spending will exceed the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and health spending, said rheumatologist Colin C….
Total Knee Replacement Cost-Effective, Even with Obesity & Comorbidities
(Reuters Health)—Total knee replacement surgery can be a cost-effective procedure for patients with severe obesity and osteoarthritis (OA), even when they also have comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests. Researchers did a cost-benefit analysis for two patient populations (over 65 years, and age 50 to 65) who had…
Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy Update: What’s Changed & What’s the Same
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Current trends in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy are the increased use of newer medication categories, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (Jakinibs) and biologics, and the rising costs of treatment. Unchanged is the consistent use of methotrexate as an effective therapy. These topics and more were discussed at the ACR Winter Symposium during…
Novartis, Merck & Allergan Join Those Raising U.S. Drug Prices for 2020
NEW YORK (Reuters)—Novartis AG, Merck & Co Inc. and Allergan Plc. were among companies that raised U.S. prices on more than 100 prescription medicines on Jan. 4, bringing the tally to 445 drugs that will cost more in 2020, according to data analyzed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors. That is above the average…
Trump Says He Will Allow States to Import Prescription Drugs to Lower Costs
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday, Nov. 22, he will soon release a plan to let Florida and other states import prescription medicines to combat high drug prices. He blasted the Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives for not going far enough in a drug-pricing bill. “We will soon be putting more options on…
One-Quarter of Every U.S. Healthcare Dollar Wasted
(Reuters Health)—About a quarter of the dollars spent on healthcare in the U.S. may be wasted, a new analysis suggests. Six types of waste in healthcare could be costing as much as $935 billion annually, according to the study published in JAMA.1,2 The biggest source of waste is “administrative complexity,” says the study’s lead author…
The Prevalence, Incidence, Mortality & Costs of RA-Related ILD
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with significant morbidity and mortality. An article in The Journal of Rheumatology focused on calculating the prevalence, incidence, mortality and costs to the healthcare system of RA-related ILD (RA-ILD).1 “RA is the most common of connective tissue diseases encountered by rheumatologists—affecting about 1% of…
U.S. Senators Tell Drug Company Execs Pricing Is Morally Repugnant
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters)—U.S. Senators called drug pricing practices “morally repugnant” and told drug company executives they do not want to hear them blame others for the high prices, taking an aggressive stance at the start of a Senate hearing on the rising costs of prescription medicines. Executives from Abbvie Inc., AstraZeneca PLC., Sanofi SA, Pfizer…
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