The ACR has created a chart of temporary changes to commercial payers’ telehealth policies that make it easier for physicians and patients to connect without the need for an office visit.
Old Drug, New Interest: COVID-19 Spurs Hydroxychloroquine Supply Concerns for Rheumatic Disease Patients
After a study investigated if hydroxycholoroquine (HCQ) benefits COVID-19 patients, the drug—used to treat SLE and RA patients—began running out in pharmacies around the U.S. ACR leaders have asked the FDA to increase monitoring of the HCQ supply…
COVID-19 Pandemic Leads Big Drugmakers to Hit Pause on Clinical Trials
(Reuters)—U.S. drugmakers Eli Lilly and Co. and Bristol Myers Squibb said they are delaying the start of new clinical trials in part to free up doctors and healthcare facilities to deal with the surge in patients infected with the new coronavirus. Lilly and Bristol are the biggest drugmakers yet to announce clinical trial delays in…
Roche Gets FDA Nod for Trial to Test Arthritis Drug on COVID-19 Patients
March 23 (Reuters)—Roche Holding AG said on Monday it has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration‘s clearance to test its rheumatoid arthritis treatment on patients hospitalized with severe pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. The company said it was beginning a late-stage study to test the drug in what would be the first well-controlled study…
ACR Urges Commercial Payers to Provide Relief from Prior Authorizations, Practice Disruptions
The ACR is urging insurance companies to expand access to telehealth services and provide relief from administrative burdens to help providers focus on patient care at this critical time.
ACR Advocates Against Payer Mandates on Specialty Pharmacy Acquisition of In-Office Treatments
In partnership with rheumatology and other specialty organizations, the ACR is working against payer and employer policies that mandate specialty pharmacy acquisition of in-office treatments.
Sarilumab Investigated to Treat COVID-19
A study investigating sarilumab’s effects on patients with COVID-19 has begun in New York. The treatment blocks IL-6, which may play a role in the respiratory distress caused by the virus…
2019 MIPS Deadline Extension & Policy Update
CMS has extended the deadline for 2019 MIPS submission to 8 p.m. EDT on April 30, 2020.
Enemy at the Gates: The Emerging Threat of COVID-19
On Dec. 30, 2019, an ophthalmologist named Li Wenliang notified his colleagues about an illness that was reminiscent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a city in the Hubei province of China called Wuhan. As an ophthalmologist, this was not directly relevant to his practice; he merely wanted to warn colleagues that they might…
Regeneron Plans Early Summer Trials for New Antibodies Against Coronavirus
(Reuters)—Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. said on Tuesday it had identified hundreds of antibodies that could treat or prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) and was preparing to begin clinical trials by early summer, sending the drugmaker’s shares up 12%. The company will select the top two antibodies to develop a “cocktail” treatment and scale up its manufacturing to…