Top of the morning to you. And a fine one it is. Lots of sunshine and clear blue skies are once again enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search of creatures to annoy and neighbors sleeping late. As for us, we are as busy as ever hunting and gathering items of interest. We trust you have your own hectic agendas. So join us as we hoist the ever-present cup of stimulation — our choice today is gingerbread — and attack the fast-growing to-do list. We hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do stay in touch. …
The American Medical Association called on insurance companies, employers, and government programs to cover obesity treatments even as many remain reluctant to pay for them, fearing the costs of covering the drugs at a mass scale, STAT writes. The lobbying group voted to pass a resolution saying it will “urge all payers to ensure coverage parity for evidence-based treatment of obesity, including FDA-approved medications without exclusions or additional carve-outs.” Medicare is prohibited by law from covering weight loss treatments, and commercial coverage has historically been spotty, with many insurers viewing them as cosmetic rather than medical treatments.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Accord Healthcare has resumed manufacturing the cancer drug cisplatin against the backdrop of ongoing drug shortages in the U.S., Reuters notes. Cisplatin is a type of chemotherapy drug used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat several advanced forms of cancer, including bladder, ovarian and testicular cancer. Last week, the agency reported on its website that Accord resumed production of another cancer drug methotrexate. Earlier this year, the FDA allowed cisplatin made by China’s Qilu Pharmaceutical to be sold in the U.S. and said it was looking for additional suppliers for cisplatin, carboplatin, and methotrexate.