Alzheimer’s drug donanemab finds late-stage trial success, safety concerns
By
Alicia Lasek
May 04, 2023
The experimental drug donanemab appears to halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and slow certain measures of clinical decline, new trial data show.
Federal COVID cases with major LTC implications headed for November action
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 28, 2022
Two cases that could play a pivotal role in determining how well skilled nursing providers are protected by a federal COVID shield law are headed for important federal court dates.
Survey: U.S. neurologists would prescribe Leqembi if fully approved
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2023
A “healthy proportion” of surveyed neurologists have already begun prescribing the treatment, and nearly all said they planned to do so if traditional FDA approval is granted.
Ask the Legal Expert
By
Norris Cunningham
Oct 07, 2022
Q: What is a skilled nursing facility to do when a resident doesn’t want to be cared for by a person of another race?
Benefits of Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi persist when treatment is halted, trial shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 09, 2023
A relative slowing of cognitive decline continues for up to two years in patients who stop taking the recently authorized drug, clinical trial data reveal.
Pfizer asks FDA to approve omicron-specific booster shot
Aug 22, 2022
The drug company says that its new mRNA vaccine produces an immune response against the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants.
Program that diagnosed fractures virtually led to fewer ER visits for LTC residents: study
By
Alicia Lasek
May 14, 2023
A program that enabled virtual diagnosis and on-site fracture care kept 100% of participating LTC residents out of the emergency department and cut the need for clinic visits, a new study reveals.
Congress may give providers 2-year relief on CMS physician fee cuts
By
Joe Bush
Dec 01, 2022
Congress appears to be ready to soften proposed Medicare physician pay cuts and might make its aid good for two years instead of one.
FDA advisers support full approval of Paxlovid for at-risk older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
The antiviral drug Paxlovid should receive full FDA approval to treat COVID-19 in older adults at risk of severe outcomes, the advisers decided in a Thursday vote.
Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers not ready for primary care use, expert panel decides
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2022
An international group of clinicians and researchers have agreed that Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers are a significant breakthrough, but are not yet ready for general clinical and primary care...