- The FDA has expanded the approval of Novartis’s secukinumab, or Cosentyx, to include pediatric patients aged 12 and older with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This milestone makes it the only IL-17A inhibitor approved for this population, addressing a critical clinical gap for a condition that often begins in adolescence. Dosing for these younger patients is weight-based to match adult systemic exposure, providing a new path for managing this progressive inflammatory disease.
- Meanwhile, a study published in JAPhA Practice Innovations underscores the effectiveness of pharmacist-led point-of-care testing in filling healthcare gaps in rural Tennessee. Researchers found a 97% patient satisfaction rate for services covering influenza and COVID-19, with participants viewing pharmacists as vital frontline clinicians. However, the report warns that regulatory fragmentation and reimbursement gaps persist, often requiring pharmacies to use hybrid cash models to remain viable.
That's it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access, visit pharmaceuticalcommerce.com.
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