About pharma
Sanofi exits diabetes, CV research in strategy shake-up as it prioritises key growth drivers Dupixent, vaccines: “The company said it would instead focus growth efforts on Dupixent (dupilumab) and vaccines, while also highlighting several potentially ‘practice changing’ therapies in its pipeline. ‘Additional core drivers include treatments for oncology, haematology, rare diseases, neurology, and [our] strong presence in China,’ Sanofi added.” In general, pharma companies are trimming their scope of investments in disease categories.
AMA urges Walmart to delay policy that restricts patients' access to critical drugs : “Walmart will only accept electronic prescriptions for controlled substances starting in 2020… But, the AMA said that a majority of physicians in the U.S. cannot provide electronic prescriptions for controlled substances, as 44 percent of them don't have the technology, hardware and certifications required.”
Patient Charity Settles DOJ Allegations it Helped MS Drugmakers Pay Kickbacks: “Orlando-based patient charity The Assistance Fund (TAF) agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations that it helped pharmaceutical companies pay kickbacks to Medicare patients taking their multiple sclerosis drugs. TAF is the third foundation to settle allegations of kickbacks.”
About the public’s health
Federal Courts Have Diminishing Appetite For Claims Of Obesity Discrimination: “The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which is based in Chicago, joined three other federal circuits earlier this year in a ruling that limits the protection of extremely obese workers under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The ADA prohibits discrimination against employees and job applicants who have physical or mental impairments that substantially limit ‘major life activities.’
Four federal circuits now have ruled that obesity is not a qualified impairment under the ADA unless it is shown to be the result of an underlying “physiological disorder or condition.” No federal circuit has issued a contrary ruling.”
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Kentucky abortion ultrasound law: “The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to a Kentucky law requiring doctors to describe ultrasound images and play fetal heartbeat sound to abortion seekers…The court rejected the case without comment or noted dissent by any of the justices…The law had been upheld by the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals, but that ruling was on hold pending the Supreme Court appeal.” This case was significant for what it might portend as more abortion-related cases come before the court.
About health insurance
Improving Serious Illness Care in Medicare Advantage: New Regulatory Flexibility for Supplemental Benefits: This monograph from Duke is an excellent summary of the current status of supplemental benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans.
Republicans, Democrats Diverge in Views of Own Healthcare: For example, in answer to the Gallup Poll question: “Are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the total cost you pay for your healthcare?”, 73% of Republicans said yes, while only 52% of Democrats answered affirmatively.
More Americans Delaying Medical Treatment Due to Cost: In a related story, 34% of Democrats said they or a family member delayed care in the past 12 months because of costs. The Republican figure was 15%.
About healthcare IT
Patients intrigued by digital health services, but still value face-to-face interactions: “When asked to consider a hypothetical health plan that offered these virtual visits and online services, 45% of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for them, averaging $25 per month across all respondents.
But when required to prioritize, respondents ranked other aspects of healthcare interactions -- like high-quality interactions with their doctor -- much higher than access to digitized services.”
Oracle Health Sciences Participates in TOP Tech Sprint: “Oracle Health Sciences is once again participating in The Opportunity Project (TOP) Technology Sprint: Creating the Future of Health.
This year’s entry joins Oracle technology with de-identified precision oncology open data sets from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cancer Institute. The demo will highlight how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and customer experience solutions could be used to connect cancer patients with available clinical trials and experimental therapies.”