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Communication is the Best Medicine

Patients rate communication as one of the most important factors in choosing and sticking with a physician. The end product in at least 2/3 of visits is the prescription, yet prescription adherence is substandard in half of our patients. The key is communication.

The Risk of Listeriosis in RA

In the mid-1990s, our Rheumatology Division at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School became involved with an early trial of a brand new TNF inhibitor.

House Bill Threatens CME Exemption from Sunshine Act Reporting

Current Sunshine Act disclosures do not apply to CME certified educational activities for either the participants or the presenters. CMS has debated and waffled on whether companies would be required to report payments to doctors who speak at, or attend, CME seminars.

Is There a Standout When Comparing Novel Therapies?

Randomized clinical trials are needed to show efficacy and safety, and are needed to back up the claims and indications for a particular drug. The issue of treatment choice has become challenging, especially when choosing to start or augment therapy.

Medical Marijuana for Osteoarthritis in Illinois

An advisory board has recommended osteoarthritis and a host of disorders for inclusion in the Illinois new medical marijuana program.

Most Prescribed Branded Drugs Through March 2015

In the last 12 months, levothyroxine (Synthroid) was the most prescribed drug in the USA  with 21.6 million prescriptions. Adalimumab (Humira) had 8.3 billion in sales, followed by etanercept (Enbrel) at nearly $6 billion. 

Who Should Pay for Drug 'Take-Back' Programs

Unused pills and prescriptions pose a significant safety risk in the home and may contribute to dosing errors or inadvertent drug use. The issue has led the DEA to sponsor national drug disposal programs and local municipalities have followed with similar programs. At issue is who shoul

FDA Outlines its Guidance for Biosimilars

The FDA has released its guidance document on biosimilar development, stating that this represents its current thinking and may not be the final document. The document was published last week and will be instrumental in the development of biosimilar products in this country. In the

Time for a New War on Drugs (Their Prices, That Is)

Biologics are not only expensive, their costs have continued to rise. This is not only true for rheumatology, as other specialties have unique biopharmaceuticals that have changed prescribing paradigms. 
​Jim Davis of AdverseEvents.com wri

Adjuvant Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine is 97% Effective in Adults

The hazards of live virus vaccines are familiar to those who manage immunosuppression in the setting of inflammatory or autoimmune disease.  One in three adults will contract "shingles" (VZV) infection in their lifetime.  Given the pain and mobidity associated with this infection, the

Drug-Induced Lupus is Rare with TNF inhibitor Therapy

Drug-induced lupus (DIL) has been associated with all TNF inhibitors. Early rates suggested this may be between 0.04 - 0.06 events per 100 patient-years or roughtly 5 per 1000 patient-years.

Real World Biologic Success in Systemic JIA

A retrospective review of 77 SoJIA patients revealed that 50-70% achieved inactive disease or remission when treated with IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra, canakinumab). Good responses were seen with tocilizumab or abatacept, but only 8% responded to etanercept.

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