October 18th Newsletter

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New legislation aims to tame ‘Wild West’ in healthcare cybersecurity - The Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act, introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Mark Warner, aims to establish mandatory minimum cybersecurity standards for healthcare entities, including hospitals, health plans, and clearinghouses. It requires HHS to enforce these standards to protect sensitive health data and ensure operational security, particularly for critical infrastructure. The bill also includes provisions for financial support to help rural hospitals enhance their cybersecurity measures. Link

Wearable Tumor-Zapping Medical Device Wins FDA Approval for Lung Cancer - The FDA has approved Novocure's wearable medical device, Optune Lua, for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This device uses electrical fields, called Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), to disrupt cancer cell division, and it is designed to be worn for about 18 hours a day, offering a new non-invasive option for patients whose cancer has progressed after chemotherapy. Link

AI models help redefine core microbiome for personalized therapies - A study from Rutgers University introduced a new way of identifying key gut microbes essential for health, which could lead to more personalized medical treatments. Link

Walgreens to close 1,200 stores over the next 3 years - This decision comes after the company reported a $3 billion net loss in the fourth quarter of 2024, despite a 6% revenue increase. The closures will focus on underperforming locations, with 500 stores set to shutter as early as fiscal year 2025. Link

FDA Approves IMULDOSA™ (ustekinumab-srlf), Accord BioPharma's Biosimilar to STELARA® (ustekinumab), for the Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Conditions - For the millions of Americans living with chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis, which can be painful and can have a significant impact on quality of life, emotional well-being, and self-image, IMULDOSA has the potential to be an affordable treatment option that provides similar benefits to the current standard of care. Link

As year-end deadline looms, Congress again calls on DEA to extend telehealth flexibilities - Congress is urging the DEA to extend telehealth flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances beyond the year-end deadline, citing concerns that the DEA's draft proposal excludes critical medications and doesn't align with Congressional intent. Lawmakers are pushing for a more permanent solution to ensure patients, particularly in rural areas, maintain access to essential virtual care services while addressing the challenges posed by the opioid epidemic and mental health provider shortages. Link

Four health systems form Longitude Health - Four major health systems—Baylor Scott & White Health, Memorial Hermann, Novant Health, and Providence—have joined forces to create Longitude Health. They will focus on developing solutions that improve healthcare access, enhance the quality of care, and reduce costs. These solutions may include innovations in healthcare operations, better ways to deliver patient care, and strategies to boost efficiency. The group aims to find long-term improvements by investing in technology, streamlining processes, and sharing expertise across the systems to address challenges in healthcare delivery. Link

New Cervical Cancer Treatment Regime Shows ‘Biggest Gain in Survival Since 1999’ - A new cervical cancer treatment regime, combining a short course of chemotherapy before standard chemoradiation, has shown a 40% reduction in death rates and a 35% decrease in recurrence. This trial, the biggest gain in survival since 1999, demonstrated that the novel approach significantly improves outcomes for women with advanced cervical cancer. Link

Medline partners with Microsoft to revolutionize healthcare supply chain operations - The collaboration aims to streamline inventory management, provide predictive insights, and simplify workflows, ultimately helping healthcare professionals make more informed decisions while reducing operational complexity. Link

RECALLS:

1.    Homewerks Worldwide recalls bathroom mirrors due to injury risk.

2.    Nissan recalls 37,000 vehicles due to back-up camera problems.

3.    Enoki Mushroom recalled due to listeria risk.

4.    Playpens sold by Amazon recalled due to entrapment hazard.

5.    Reser’s Fine Foods recalls meal kits due to listeria risk.

6.    Honda, Acura recall recent models to fix steering issue.

7.    Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade recalled because it has sugar.

8.    Chrysler issues three recalls to address various problems.

9.    Meat and poultry recalls expand to Aldi, Walmart, Trader Joe's.

10. Promotional cigar lighters recalled for lacking a child safety feature.

11. Colsen fire pits recalled after serious burn injuries.

12. Anker power banks recalled after exploding.

13. Meat recalled for listeria bought by hundreds of schools: See where.