Pharmacy

The FDA has approved Otarmeni, the first gene therapy for genetic hearing loss, through its National Priority Voucher program. The therapy is indicated for pediatric and adult patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss tied to OTOF gene mutations, according to an…

Two potential pancreatic cancer treatments are gaining recognition within the oncology community, according to reports from The New York Times and The Washington Post published April 21 and April 22, respectively.  One treatment is a pill called darxonrasib. Developed by…

Drugmakers and industry groups are accelerating investments in AI, manufacturing and dealmaking while navigating regulatory and policy shifts. Recent moves reflect a broader push to speed drug development, expand production capacity and reposition portfolios amid competitive and political pressure. Here…

An experimental gene therapy restored at least some level hearing in most patients with a rare form of inherited deafness, a study found. The study, published April 22 in Nature, evaluated 42 children and adults with autosomal recessive deafness 9,…

Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine is building a pharmacy model centered on patient access, clinical integration and technology-enabled care, according to Chief Pharmacy Officer Nishaminy Kasbekar, PharmD. Speaking on Becker’s “Pharmacy Leadership Podcast,” Dr. Kasbekar said pharmacy is shifting away from location-based…

The FDA has approved Merck’s once-daily, two-drug regimen for adults with virologically suppressed HIV-1. The treatment combines 100 mg doravirine and 0.25 mg islatravir and is indicated for patients with no history of virologic treatment failure and no known resistance…

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and 18 fellow Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to require disclosure of drug pricing agreements between the Trump administration and pharmaceutical companies, according to an April 21 release. The…

Optum Rx — the pharmacy benefit manager for UnitedHealth Group — claims its “PreCheck” prior authorization tool not only cuts prescription approval times but also reduces denials and appeals. UnitedHealth Group gave an update on the tool in an April 21 earnings call. Optum…

A plant-based psychoactive compound, ibogaine, is making headlines. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research, regulatory review and access to psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds. Texas is moving forward with its own research program, and Mississippi is funding clinical trials. The drug is being…

Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation targeting pharmacy benefit managers, prompting warnings from CVS Health about potential pharmacy closures and reduced patient access, according to an April 21 report from ABC affiliate WKRN. The bill, which passed the House and Senate,…