No Rx Required for COVID-19 Vaccination But ACIP Calls for Better Informed Consent Process
The ACIP on September 19 narrowly voted against requiring a prescription to get the shot but urged more detailed discussion of vaccine risks during shared decision making conversations.
Physicians Attending Day 1 of ACIP Meeting Said They Need to be Heard
Discussions on day 1 focused on the difference between the MMR and MMR+V vaccines, with clinicians calling for inclusion of real-world experience in any ACIP decision.
The ACIP Meets on September 18 as Vaccine Policy Hangs in the Balance
Regardless of decisions made during the ACIP meeting, health insurance plans will continue to cover shots recommended by ACIP as of Sept 1.
Nonmedical Exemptions for Vaccines for Children Should be Eliminated: American Academy of Pediatrics
The AAP acknowledges challenges for families but emphasizes mandatory vaccination as crucial for safe school environments.
Thimerosal to Be Eliminated from All US Vaccines, HHS Announces
HHS secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr, today formally agreed with the recent ACIP recommendation to eliminate the already largely discontinued preservative.
Reconstituted ACIP Votes Yes on Clesrovimab for Infants and Flu Shot For All, But Thimerosal Has Got to Go
The new, 7-member committee was clear on its support for the mAb for infants and the essential role of vaccination against influenza but wants an alternative preservative to thimerosal.
The Superbug Challenge: Medicine's Essential Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance
A medical director of antimicrobial stewardship at a large metropolitan health system highlights the dangers of AMR and how she believes the pharmaceutical industry could help.
Cancer Screening is Essential for Prevention and Guidance Begins in Primary Care
A family medicine specialist who works with cancer survivorship highlights findings of a study that illustrate how effective screening is and how treatment has changed.
FDA Proposed Rule Would Limit Nicotine Content in Cigarettes, Cigars, Other Combusted Products
The agency estimates that limiting nicotine levels could lead to 1.8 million fewer tobacco-related deaths by 2060 and health care savings of $1.1 trillion a year over the next 40 years.
US Surgeon General: Add Cancer Warning to Alcoholic Beverage Labels
Murthy's advisory outlines evidence for the cancer-alcohol relationship and calls for greater efforts to increase public awareness of the risks from beer, wine, and spirits.
New Proposal Seeks to Expand Medicare, Medicaid Coverage for Antiobesity Drugs
The proposal would expand antiobesity drug access for more than 7 million people with Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Pandemic Medical Misinformation Has Not Prompted Disciplinary Action, Study Reveals
Little action has been taken by state medical boards against clinicians who spread unsubstantiated claims about COVID-19, vaccines, or other pandemic-related topics.
Clinician Recommendation is Still the Best Way to get Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Shots into Arms
"Start Preparing for Respiratory Virus Season," an AMA-CDC joint webinar, reminds clinicians that the influence is in their hands and offers tips on how to use it.
Could Prior Authorization Work Win its Own CPT Code?
A CPT code for time spent petitioning insurance companies to approve patient prescriptions has been proposed before; sentiment was not unanimous.
13 Reasons Patients Give for Not Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster
Reasons for not getting a COVID-19 booster ranged from worry about taking time off to believing it won't add any additional protection from infection.
New Primary Care Residencies Have Yet to Reach Rural Areas
Despite approved funding and a mandate to CMS to create 1000 new residency slots in "primary care health professional shortage areas," progress is extremely slow.
Antiobesity Medications Would be Covered by Medicare Under the "Treat and Reduce Obesity Act"
HHS: Moving is Good Medicine for Adults aged 65 Years and Older
Less than 15% of US adults in the population aged 65 years and older achieve recommended weekly levels of physical activity and strengthening, according to HHS.
USPSTF: Screen Adults for Depression, Anxiety, Suicide Risk in Primary Care
Primary care clinicians should screen all adults for the 3 mental health conditions to ensure timely referral for appropriate treatment.
Social Media is a Mental Health Hazard for Nation's Youth, Surgeon General Says
The AAFP and other national medical groups endorsed the warning from Surgeon General Murthy that social media is fueling the mental health crisis among young Americans.
Professional Societies, Concerned Clinicians Create Guides to Navigate Burnout
The AHRQ, Mayo Clinic, AMA, and National Academy of Medicine each recommend actions steps for all organizational levels to help build more supportive environments.
Sanofi Third Insulin Maker to Announce Price Reductions Across Brands
Sanofi is the third key insulin maker to announce reductions in the cost of its products, joining other giants Eli Lilly and Co and Novo Nordisk.
Novo Nordisk Announces 2024 Price Cut for Insulin Products
The announcement follows by 2 weeks a similar plan from Eli Lilly to reduce patient costs as the Biden administration touts effects of new laws on drug prices.
New National Scorecard Gives US Subpar Marks for Support of Primary Care
For a health care systems that is " wildly out of balance and in critical need of reform,” the tracking tool can benchmark and measure change over time.
AAFP: National Plan Needed to Transition Out of COVID Public Health Emergency
The AAFP wants assurances in policies to avoid disruptions for doctors and patients even though HHS says it plans to preserve some flexibilities.
She Treats Long COVID and Got it Herself: This Physiatrist Advocates for Federal Research and Patient Support
Physiatrist Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, highlights the state of long COVID management in the US and says primary care is crucial in diagnosing and treating the new condition.
Dementia: New Screening Tool to be Evaluated in Primary Care
The NIH has awarded $11 million for evaluation of a 5-minute, largely visual screening test for dementia intended for use in primary care practice.
Brush up on RSV: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment
Respiratory syncytial virus is an age-old winter foe that could affect many of your patients this year. Take a minute and scan these facts for a refresher.
Survey Finds Physician Morale Sinking as Staffing, Administrative Challenges Mount
Physician morale continues to sink as staffing challenges and administrative burdens increase with primary care seeing "devastating effects."
From One Primary Care Physician to Another: Thank You
A small-town physician offers words of encouragement to his peers.
