Science & Tech

CMS flagged multiple contractors for early problems in Medicare WISeR prior-authorization pilot

Newly released records show CMS cited delayed decisions, disputed denials and portal failures at multiple contractors during early months of the WISeR Medicare pilot.

#medicare, #cms, #priorauthorization, #healthcare

Pfizer says ELREXFIO improved progression-free survival in Phase 3 trial; results are interim

Pfizer reports interim Phase 3 results showing ELREXFIO improved progression-free survival in earlier-line multiple myeloma; safety and overall survival under review.

$PFE, #pfizer, #elrexfio, #elranatamab, #multiplemyeloma, #clinicaltrials

FDA Expands Approval of Talzenna Plus Xtandi for HRR‑Mutated Metastatic Castration‑Sensitive Prostate Cancer

FDA on Oct. 26 approved Talzenna plus Xtandi for HRR‑mutated metastatic castration‑sensitive prostate cancer; genetic testing required.

$PFE, #fda, #prostatecancer, #oncology, #pfizer

Pfizer’s 25‑valent infant pneumococcal vaccine showed immune responses to all 25 serotypes in Phase 2, company reports

Pfizer's 25‑valent infant pneumococcal vaccine elicited immune responses to all 25 serotypes in Phase 2, with safety similar to Prevnar 20 and stronger serotype 3 responses.

$PFE, #vaccine, #pneumococcal, #pfizer, #pediatrics

NICHE‑2 phase 2 follow‑up: short‑course neoadjuvant immunotherapy linked to 100% 3‑year disease‑free survival in dMMR colon cancer

NICHE‑2 reports 100% 3‑year disease‑free survival after brief neoadjuvant ipilimumab+nivolumab for dMMR colon cancer; single‑arm results need confirmation.

#immunotherapy, #colon-cancer, #clinical-trial, #dmmr

FDA Approves Hibsago, First Antisense Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B, for Select Adults

FDA approves Hibsago (bepirovirsen), the first antisense drug for chronic hepatitis B, offering some adults a monitored path off long-term antivirals.

$GSK, #hepatitis_b, #fda, #gsk, #bepirovirsen

FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for GSK’s Jemperli in Biomarker-Defined Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

FDA grants accelerated approval to GSK’s Jemperli for adults with stage II–III dMMR/MSI‑H locally advanced rectal cancer, potentially avoiding surgery.

$GSK, #health, #cancer, #fda, #immunotherapy

UK medicines regulator opens consultation on schools keeping adrenaline nasal sprays

MHRA opens eight-week UK consultation on allowing schools to stock spare adrenaline nasal sprays as an alternative to auto-injectors for treating anaphylaxis.

#health, #allergies, #schools, #mhra

FDA Expands Use of Anktiva to Treat High-Grade Papillary Non‑Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

FDA expands Anktiva's approved use to adults with BCG‑unresponsive, high‑grade papillary-only non‑muscle invasive bladder cancer, providing a bladder‑sparing option.

#fda, #bladdercancer, #immunotherapy, #immunitybio

UK Approves Once‑Weekly Basal Insulin Onswik for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

MHRA licenses Onswik (insulin efsitora alfa), a once‑weekly basal insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes; NICE had earlier issued draft guidance.

$LLY, #diabetes, #insulin, #mhra, #nhs, #health

Lancet commission proposes unified framework to compare 21st-century global health threats

A Lancet Commission will unveil a DALY-based framework to compare long-range health threats — from pandemics and climate to AI misuse and antimicrobial resistance.

#globalhealth, #pandemics, #climatechange, #ai, #antimicrobialresistance

Study: U.S. fentanyl increasingly mixed with multiple sedatives and industrial chemicals

A NIST analysis of 4,563 samples from 2024–mid-2026 shows fentanyl increasingly contains multiple non-opioid sedatives and industrial additives, varying by region.

#fentanyl, #drug-supply, #publichealth, #overdose, #drugtesting

FDA OKs Pfizer’s TUKYSA for Front‑line Maintenance in HER2‑Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

FDA expands Pfizer's TUKYSA for front‑line maintenance in unresectable/metastatic HER2‑positive breast cancer; PFS improved 8.6 months, liver risks noted.

$PFE, #her2, #breastcancer, #pfizer, #fda

Federal Medicaid Match Ends for Many Lawfully Present Immigrants, Forcing States to Decide

New federal rule ends Medicaid/CHIP matching funds for many lawfully present immigrants starting Oct. 1, 2026, forcing states to cut coverage or pay locally.

#medicaid, #immigration, #healthcare, #cms

Garetosmab (Pasatru) sharply reduces new bone lesions in adults with FOP, phase 3 Lancet trial shows; FDA approved Aug. 19, 2026

Phase 3 Lancet trial shows garetosmab cuts new heterotopic bone lesions by ~90% in adults with FOP; FDA approved Pasatru Aug. 19, 2026.

#fop, #garetosmab, #raredisease, #fda