Latest updates on ACP's priorities, initiatives
ACP Spotlight offers readers a look at ACP's current top priorities and initiatives, as well as highlights from our e-newsletter, ACP Internist Weekly.
ACP announces new Masterships and awardees for 2020-2021
The Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the Board of Regents has approved individuals and institutions to receive College awards and Masterships for fiscal year 2020-2021. Those who would like to personally congratulate any of the new awardees or MACPs should contact John Haefele, Administrator, Board of Regents and Governance Activities.
ACP calls for increased competition in prescription drug market to help combat rising prices
In a recent policy paper by the Health and Public Policy Committee, ACP called for additional measures to combat the rising costs of prescription drugs. The paper is the third installment of a series and was published Sept. 15 by Annals of Internal Medicine.
Specific recommendations include legislative reforms to the Orphan Drug Act that realign incentives offered through the law to support increased innovation in rare disease drug development and elimination of tax deductions for direct-to-consumer product claim advertisements.
“Increasing the availability of lower-cost drugs in the prescription drug marketplace is vital to achieving lower out-of-pocket costs for patients and driving the price of prescription drugs down,” the authors wrote. “The ACP believes that to accomplish this, we must realign incentives that reward true innovation, prevent manufacturers from exploiting loopholes, and address business practices that lead to increased costs to the health system.”
MKSAP 18 Digital and Complete subscriptions offer new updates
MKSAP 18 Digital and Complete have recently incorporated new features to help users update their knowledge, prepare for exams, or meet other goals.
Highlighting capabilities have been included with three distinct colors: yellow, green, and pink. In low-lit environments, MKSAP 18 Digital's night mode allows users to work anywhere without fear of eye strain. Virtual Dx, an image-based module containing more than 400 self-assessment questions, allows users to access ultrasound images or listen to heart sounds to guide diagnosis in various clinical scenarios. MKSAP 18 Digital and Complete apps (available for iOS and Android devices) allow users to work online or offline.
ACP releases best practice advice for HCV care
Viral genotyping and invasive testing may not be needed in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to new ACP Best Practice Advice aimed at simplifying and improving treatment of patients with the disease.
This ACP Best Practice Advice is based on a guideline from the World Health Organization (WHO). While the WHO guideline is primarily targeted toward policymakers in low- and middle-income countries, recommendations are relevant to the United States, where equity and resource allocation issues are important considerations, the ACP paper said. The advice also covers laboratory monitoring and comanagement. It was published Oct. 6 by Annals of Internal Medicine
ICYMI: Highlights from ACP Internist Weekly
- Glucocorticoids associated with increased infection risk even at low doses. A retrospective study compared Medicare patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had been receiving stable doses of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including biologics, for six months according to glucocorticoid use. One-year cumulative incidence of hospitalization for infection was higher in those receiving glucocorticoids than in those who were not. Higher doses were associated with greater risk. Physicians should consider this information when weighing treatment in rheumatoid arthritis, an accompanying editorial noted. The study and editorial were published by Annals of Internal Medicine on Sept. 22 and were summarized in the Sept. 22 ACP Internist Weekly.
- Guidance calls for increased awareness of drug-induced arrhythmias. A recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association discussed bradyarrhythmias, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, and Brugada syndrome, among others. The statement included extensive tables listing the magnitude of risk associated with specific drugs as well as information on mechanism of action. It was published Sept. 15 by Circulation and summarized in the Sept. 22 ACP Internist Weekly.
ACP Internist Weekly is an e-newsletter published every Tuesday and available online. Subscribe online.
