U.S. lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of FDA following agency’s approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 07, 2021
The FDA is being asked to help explain how Aduhelm (aducanumab) met accelerated approval criteria when so many experts — including internal advisers — have flagged insufficient safety and efficacy...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Aug. 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 27, 2021
Big name audio companies fill in while hearing aid reform lags: report … Second J&J shot ‘significantly’ increases COVID-19 antibodies, says firm, which heads toward approval process … AHCA releases...
Having a good listener in one’s life may help slow cognitive decline: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2021
Older adults who have regular interactions with active listeners are more likely to have cognitive functioning that contradicts evidence of dementia-related brain changes, a new study finds.
Arthritis drug Actemra in short supply as demand for use in COVID ramps up
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2021
Demand for Actemra IV has skyrocketed due to the latest wave of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, drugmaker Genentech says. In the past two weeks alone, orders for the drug shot up to 400% of pre-COVID...
California nursing home visitors must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2021
The state is requiring that all indoor visitors to skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare settings prove full vaccination or negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Facility operators must have a plan...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Aug. 11
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 11, 2021
Proposed bill ‘great first step’ toward addressing long-term care workforce challenges … CMS offers new Section K assessment and coding training for SNF providers … ‘POLST is more than a code...
Residents’ lack of energy may signal malnutrition; full assessment advised
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2021
In a study of 13 nursing homes, fully 43% of residents reported that they lacked energy, and 12% were malnourished. The two problems were significantly linked, investigators say.
Eli Lilly aims for dementia drug candidate’s approval in 2022; wants to ‘prioritize access’
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2021
The Alzheimer’s disease-modifying drug donanemab is on track to be considered for full FDA approval by 2022, its developer said.
FDA OKs new insulin biosimilar for type 2 diabetes
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 30, 2021
Semglee is a safe and more cost-effective alternative to the drug Lantus (insulin glargine), the agency announced Wednesday. Semglee does not need a prescriber’s input to be substituted at the pharmacy.
Seniors’ sense of smell weakens, but not their enjoyment of food, researchers find
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 13, 2021
The sense of smell declines with age, but this loss doesn’t happen across the board, a new study shows. The findings may help care providers improve the meals and dining experiences of older adults in...