May 15
IN THIS ISSUE / May 15, 2019
- Why are psoriasis patients turning to complementary and alternative medicine?
- DW Insights and Inquiries: Coughing up a new warning for ustekinumab
- AAD adopts position statement on sexual and gender minority health
- HHS finalizes rule requiring drug prices to be disclosed in TV ads
- A cheat sheet to dermatology’s ‘hidden curriculum’
- Dr. Resneck testifies to Congress about drug prices and prior authorization
- Register for the 2019 AADA Legislative Conference
- Academy Advisory Board invites members to submit policy resolutions
Why are psoriasis patients turning to complementary and alternative medicine?
According to a research letter published in JAAD, 41% of psoriasis patients reported using alternative therapies in place of allopathic medicine. Nearly 40% reported using complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to allopathic medicine. The National Psoriasis Foundation conducted a survey of 219 psoriasis patients to determine the types of CAM used by psoriasis patients and explore their motivations for using CAM.
The most common reasons identified for using CAM were that traditional medications did not help or had side effects. Men used more vitamins (24%), dead sea bath salts (17%), and cupping (3%), while women used more herbals/botanicals (17%) and yoga (9.6%). More than 40% would recommend CAM to others.
Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments, psoriasis patients frequently use CAM that have not shown efficacy or been well studied. However, some CAM, like indigo naturalis, was not identified by patients, but has demonstrated efficacy. The researchers find that education initiatives that enable physicians to discuss evidence-based CAM may improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.
How should you navigate “natural” medicine with patients? Find out in Dermatology World.
Related Content:
- What common dermatologic diseases can be attributed to therapeutic and cosmetic cultural practices – Dermatology World (November 2018)
- Pineapple and cicatricial pemphigold – DW Insights and Inquiries (October 2016)
- The pantry as medicine cabinet – Dermatology World (November 2015)
- AAD product: Digital patient pamphlets
DW Insights and Inquiries: Coughing up a new warning for ustekinumab
After using a drug for years, physicians become comfortable with the benefits and risks of the frequently prescribed agent. I have utilized ustekinumab extensively — learning of new adverse reactions is sobering.
Ustekinumab has been in use for a decade, being FDA approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. There is a new warning for prescribers of ustekinumab: Noninfectious Pneumonia: Cases of interstitial pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia have been reported during post-approval use of STELARA®. If diagnosis is confirmed, discontinue STELARA® and institute appropriate treatment. Keep reading!
AAD adopts position statement on sexual and gender minority health
At its March meeting, the American Academy of Dermatology’s Board of Directors adopted a position statement on sexual and gender minority health. In this interview with Dermatology World Weekly, Klint Peebles, MD, co-chair of the AAD’s Expert Resource Group (ERG) on LGBTQ/Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Health, explains:
- Why the position statement was needed
- How dermatologists can practice in accordance with it
- How it cements dermatology’s vital role on this issue in the broader house of medicine
HHS finalizes rule requiring drug prices to be disclosed in TV ads
Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require disclosure of drug list prices (wholesale acquisition cost) in direct-to-consumer television advertisements in an attempt to improve drug price transparency. The final rule applies to prescription drugs and biological products paid “through or under Medicare of Medicaid,” if the price is “equal to or greater than $35 for a month’s supply or the usual course of therapy.” The final rule will go into effect 60 days after its May 10, 2019, publication in the Federal Register.
Why are physicians out of the loop on current drug prices and costs to patients? Find out in Dermatology World.
Related Content:
- What’s happening with drug shortages and what’s being done to resolve the issue? – Dermatology World (September 2018)
- A tangled web: What's happening with drug prices and what's being done to bring costs down? – Dermatology World (September 2017)
A cheat sheet to dermatology’s ‘hidden curriculum’
“As a resident, I was overly focused on learning every footnote in every chart in my hefty but beloved textbook. Like many others, I felt the dark shadow of the boards looming nearer, and I attempted to stuff myself full of “fodder.” As an attending for several years now, I try to keep my medical knowledge updated by attending conferences or reviewing the latest articles in peer-reviewed journals like the JAAD. However, there are many aspects to life as a dermatologist that are not addressed in the textbooks or scientific journals. Where should young dermatologists turn for answers on questions that were certainly not of primary concern when we were busy learning how to diagnose and treat skin conditions?” Keep reading Dr. Jacks' story!
Dr. Resneck testifies to Congress about drug prices and prior authorization
Dermatologist Jack Resneck Jr., MD, who serves as chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on May 9. During his testimony he brought up numerous issues dermatologists have experienced, including:
- 400% price hikes for biologic treatments that have been on the market for more than a decade
- soaring generic prices
- rampant prior authorization requirements, even for generic drugs
Dr. Resneck also told the story of a patient whose prior authorization for dupilumab ran out after a year. Thinking it would help get the drug approved for further use, Dr. Resneck noted that the patient had improved significantly while taking it. As a result, he said, the insurance company said the patient’s disease was no longer severe enough to warrant the treatment.
Need help with prior authorization appeals? Easily create an appeal letter to help overturn denials with the AADA's prior authorization letter generator.
Watch Dr. Resneck’s testimony on C-SPAN. (His first remarks begin at 14:45.)
Related Content:
- AADA resource: Prior authorization assistance
- What is keeping biosimilars out of reach and when will they be available? – Dermatology World (November 2018)
- Filling up the medicine cabinet – Dermatology World (July 2018)
Register for the 2019 AADA Legislative Conference
On Sept. 8-10, the AADA Legislative Conference — the specialty’s premier meeting focused on legislative, regulatory, and political issues that affect dermatology — kicks off in Washington, D.C. With Capitol Hill as its backdrop, the conference gives attendees an opportunity to meet with Congress to discuss the most pressing issues facing patients, the practice, and the specialty. Register for the conference to hear about and discuss issues and legislation that impact the future of dermatology alongside colleagues, patient group leaders, practice administrators/managers, and political insiders.
Academy Advisory Board invites members to submit policy resolutions
Do you have an issue of interest or area of concern? Now is your opportunity to submit a resolution from which an official Academy position might arise. Even if you do not have experience drafting resolutions, we encourage you to contact Academy staff or members of the Advisory Board Executive Committee with ideas, and they will help guide you through the submission process.
To ensure consideration, all resolutions must be submitted by June 5. The author and/or their AB representative must submit an updated conflict of interest and a statement of support with their resolution for consideration by the full Advisory Board. The statement should state the reasons why the Advisory Board should adopt the resolution. The full Advisory Board will consider the submitted comments and resolutions and vote this summer.
Established Academy position statements can be found on the Academy’s website.
