Weekend ICYMI: October 14 to October 18
In case you missed it, this week we had stories about medication adherence and breast cancer outcomes, new vaccines in the pipeline, independent pharmacies saying no to Medicare drug price, and more.
Medication Adherence Impacts Breast Cancer Outcomes | ESMO 2024
Women wearing pink with breast cancer ribbons / Vasyl - stock.adobe.com
At the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology 2024 Congress, researchers presented dozens of posters focused on breast cancer, including the relationship between medication adherence and survival outcomes. In one poster, researchers found that adjuvant endocrine therapy can improve survival outcomes in women with breast cancer. In another poster, researchers presented data showing that adherence to oral anticancer medications is significantly affected by metastatic status and side effect severity.
NCPA Addresses Independent Pharmacists’ Hesitancy to Stock Medicare-Negotiated Drugs
Over 90% of independent pharmacies are considering not selling some or all of the 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiations come January 1, 2026, according to survey data released in a National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) news release. With the negotiated prices for these drugs going into effect in 2026, independent pharmacists are hoping for a better reimbursement structure. If a desirable reimbursement structure is not offered to these pharmacies, owners and managers will be unable to afford dispensing any of the negotiated medications.
Clinical Pharmacists Play Pivotal Role in Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease
When it comes to medication management and coordination for patients experiencing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), researchers found that clinical pharmacists can play a key role within a multidisciplinary team to yield the best patient outcomes possible, according to data from a study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. “The incidence and prevalence of [IBD], encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is increasing worldwide. In the US, the prevalence of IBD has markedly increased by 123% over 9 years. IBD is considered a complex condition, given the various genetic, environmental, and inflammatory mechanisms involved and the heterogeneity of the disease with regard to presentation and phenotype,” wrote the authors.
New Vaccines in the Pipeline: Norovirus, Lyme Disease, and Combination COVID-19–Flu | IDWeek 2024
Dozens of presentations at IDWeek 2024 focused on currently available immunizations, such as those for COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, and flu. Three new vaccines that are currently in development include those for Lyme, norovirus, and COVID-19.
According to data from posters presented at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy 2024 Annual Meeting, pharmacist-led comprehensive medication management programs decreased the burden of shortages and burnouts for providers while also enhancing patient satisfaction and overall health outcomes. They also explored collaborative practice agreements, finding that a 7-step systematic intervention resulted in significant outcomes that improved relationships between pharmacists and physicians.
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