Drug pricing reform deal may allow Medicare to negotiate with drug firms for first time
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
The Democrats’ deal also would limit insulin costs and cap annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000 for seniors. Pharmacy benefit managers would face transparency requirements as well.
J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine 74 percent effective, real-world study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
Data from more than 8,800 vaccinated Mayo Clinic patients has found that a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine reduces hospitalization in the face of widely circulating gene variants.
Study: Seniors recover from fall-inducing vertigo on par with younger adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
Older adults are just as likely to benefit from a specialized treatment that can eliminate problems with intense dizziness, investigators say.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Nov. 4
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
Hospice providers applaud actions in CMS’s home health final rule … Assisted living providers who don’t comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandate face $15 million in fines … Insulin prescribing for...
Survey: Short-stay residents want more help with meds, clinician connections upon discharge
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2021
Fully 80% of respondents said they received and understood their discharge instructions. But at least two-thirds would have liked more help with their medication regimen, physician referrals, and other...
LTC docs urge peers to rapidly increase use of COVID-19 antibody drugs
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2021
Industry geriatricians have compiled resources for their LTC peers who have not yet come on board with monoclonal antibody treatments. Resident immunity to COVID-19 is declining, and mAbs may prevent hospital...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 3
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2021
House democrats reach deal to reduce prescription drug prices … Watch for recycled medical gloves, feds warn healthcare facilities … CMS incentive programs tied to 6% decline in hospital C. diff infections...
Long-term care left behind in race to nab COVID monoclonal antibodies: report
Nov 02, 2021
Delayed shipments of antibody doses are putting residents’ lives at risk after federal authorities barred direct orders of the drugs, LTC clinicians say.
FDA approves first-ever eye drop that corrects age-related vision loss
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 02, 2021
The new drug, Vuity, adjusts pupil size and corrects near vision without affecting distance vision, drugmaker Allergan says.
Longer waits for PT raise odds of chronic opioid use in knee replacement: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 02, 2021
Chronic opioid use is less likely in patients who start physical therapy within 30 days of surgery and have at least six sessions, a new study finds.