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Tim Smith joined the MJH Life Sciences team as an assistant editor for HCPLive in August 2022. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political science, working in multimedia journalism as a staff writer prior to joining MJH. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching TV, listening to podcasts, and rock climbing. You can contact him at 

A recent systematic review concluded that evidence was mixed on the efficacy of probiotics for 

, with findings showing limited benefits for reduction in 

 and potential tolerance acquisition with specific strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) over longer periods.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was authored by a team of investigators led by Carol Stephanie C. Tan-Lim, from the department of clinical epidemiology at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine. Tan-Lim and colleagues had, with their research, sought to update available data related to the safety and effectiveness of probiotics as a potential treatment for pediatric individuals with food allergy.

“In 2018, we published a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of probiotics for treating food allergy in pediatric patients,” Tan-Lim and colleagues wrote. “Since 2018, several new studies relevant to this topic have been published. This systematic review aimed to update the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of probiotics as treatment of food allergy.”

The research team built their analysis on a series of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were featured in a prior 2018 systematic review in addition to RCTs published between February 2018 - March 2024. These RCTs had assessed probiotics’ efficacy in the management of food allergies among pediatric patients.

The screening, the extraction of data, and the analysis itself were all conducted by a set of 2 investigators. Their review considered studies written in all languages that involved individuals who were ≤18 years old with diagnoses of food allergies or suspected food allergies.

The ream classified diagnoses as confirmed if they were shown to be supported by standardized tests, such as double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges or food-specific IgE assessments. RCTs in the meta-analysis and review had focused on the oral administration of probiotics, irrespective of dosage, strain, or duration of treatment.

In the included analyses, each RCT’s control groups would have followed the standard care for food allergies. Trials in which probiotics had been paired with oral immunotherapy were all included in the systematic review only if the control cohort also had been treated with oral immunotherapy.

The investigators determined their primary outcome to be the alleviation of patients’ symptoms, which they evaluated by simply presence or absence of symptoms. They could also evaluate symptoms by using continuous variables, such as observed reductions in symptom severity scores. The research team noted that the SCORAD index was commonly implemented for the purposes of assessing severity of subjects’ symptoms.

In terms of secondary outcomes evaluated by the team, examples included the acquisition of tolerance, defined as systemic unresponsiveness to allergens. Other examples included the occurrence of adverse events, which the investigators assessed as binary outcomes.

Overall, there were 13 RCTs included in this systematic review and a total of 1,608 pediatric patients who were noted as having allergies to food products. The findings resulting from a set of analyses indicated that probiotics likely had no significant impact on reductions of participants’ eczema scores for those reporting a cow’s milk allergy (mean difference [MD] −1.29 points, 95% CI −4.14 to 1.56; moderate certainty of evidence).

Despite this conclusion, the research team also identified evidence in a single RCT that suggested probiotics could potentially diminish childrens’ eczema scores among those who had various types of food allergies (MD −23.08 points, 95% CI −27.55 to −18.61; low certainty of evidence).

The team found that substantial benefits in tolerance induction were noted following 2 years at minimum of probiotic utilization (risk ratio [RR] 0.44, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.67; moderate certainty of evidence), indicating that probiotic administration’s use over time may impact health outcomes. Uncertainy remained, however, about the role of probiotics in tolerance induction among infants with cow’s milk allergy given the very low certainty of available evidence (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.00).

After the investigators’ subgroup analyses, they concluded that probiotics containing the LGG strain were linked to substantial tolerance induction improvements among subjects (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.62). Overall, the researchers concluded that probiotics had been well-tolerated by the evaluated participants, citing a lack of significant adverse events noted by investigators.

“The current evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of probiotics in treating food allergy,” they wrote. “Further well-designed RCTs focusing on specific food allergens and specific types of food allergy (IgE-mediated and delayed type of food hypersensitivity) are needed to draw clinically relevant conclusions.”

Tan-Lim CSC, Esteban-Ipac NAR. Systematic review and meta-analysis on probiotics as treatment for food allergies among pediatric patients: A 2024 update. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2025 Jan;36(1):e70028. doi: 10.1111/pai.70028. PMID: 39803979.

Tan-Lim CSC, Esteban-Ipac NAR. Probiotics as treatment for food allergies among pediatric patients: a meta-analysis. World Allergy Organ J. 2018; 11(1): 25.

Articles

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in treating pediatric food allergies. The study found mixed evidence, with limited benefits for eczema reduction and potential tolerance acquisition, particularly with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) over extended periods. Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving 1,608 pediatric patients were analyzed. While probiotics showed no significant impact on eczema scores for cow's milk allergy, they demonstrated potential benefits in tolerance induction after prolonged use. The study concluded that current evidence is insufficient, necessitating further well-designed trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted several key findings on use of probiotics as a treatment of pediatric patients with allergies to food.

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Study Highlights New Data on Probiotics as Food Allergy Treatment for Children

Chelsie Derman is an associate editor for 

who covers psychiatry, sleep medicine, geriatrics, migraine, and allergy. She joined MJH Life Sciences in September 2023 after graduating from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and professional writing. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing and reading.

A recent study demonstrated that a digital mindfulness-based program is an easily accessible way to alleviate employee

 Using the mindfulness app for approximately 5 to 10 minutes demonstrated greater stress reduction; however, using the app for < 5 minutes relieves stress more than doing no meditation.

“This study confirms prior findings indicating psychological benefits of mindfulness practice for employees and extends them to a digital platform,” wrote investigators, led by Rachel M. Radin, PhD, from the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California San Francisco.

Research has shown mindfulness meditation helps to reduce work-related stress.

 Many workplaces have implemented in-person mindfulness programs to address workplace stress and enhance employee well-being. Still, these programs are often challenging to distribute widely, leaving many employees without sufficient opportunities to manage stress.

Investigators wanted to see if digital mediation programs would be an effective option for managing workplace stress.

 They conducted a randomized clinical trial to assess the effects of digital mediation on general and work-specific stress compared with a waiting list condition. The team also wanted to see whether greater engagement in the intervention moderated the effects.

The study recruited 1458 adults aged ≥ 18 years (mean age, 35.54 years; 80.80% female) from May 16, 2018, through September 28, 2019, who worked at a large academic medical center, reported mild to moderate stress, and had access to a web-connected device. Participants were randomized 1:1 to a digital meditation program (n = 728) or the waiting list control condition (n = 730). The digital meditation program required 10 minutes of meditation per day for 8 weeks, whereas the control group continued their normal activities and did not do any meditation during the study period.

The primary outcome was a change in Perceived Stress Scale score at 8 weeks, and the secondary outcome was a change in job strain, measured as work effort-reward imbalance. Investigators measured stress, job strain, burnout, work engagement, mindfulness, depression, and anxiety at baseline, 8 weeks, and 4 months. The data was analyzed from March 2023 to October 2024.

Participants in the meditation group showed greater improvements in the Perceived Stress Scale score (Cohen d, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 0.96) and in job strain (Cohen d, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.46) at 8 weeks compared with participants who did not do any meditation. These improvements were maintained at 4 months (Perceived Stress Scale: Cohen d, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.84; job strain: Cohen d, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.50). Participants who meditated also showed significant improvements at 8 weeks in work burnout, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, job reward, and work engagement.

People who used the meditation app longer, from 5 to 9.9 minutes per day compared with < 5 minutes per day, demonstrated a greater stress reduction (mean Perceived Stress Scale score difference, -6.58; 95% CI, -7.44 to -5.73).

“The mechanisms by which digital mindfulness interventions impart benefits for both general and work-related stress may include an improved capacity to cope with and positively reappraise stressful situations, as well as enhanced mindfulness and attention regulation,” investigators wrote. “In a work context, these enhanced coping abilities may lead to the reappraisal of demands as manageable and work stressors as within one’s control, leading to decreased job strain.”

Investigators noted that the findings were limited by a limited sample of participants who identified as service workers, Black or African American, or males—all groups who were likely high in work burnout. The team also added how they were unable to determine whether treatment effects were due to nonspecific factors such as time or attention or mindfulness-based factors.

“Given the strong effects of digital mindfulness and the low cost, greater dissemination across workplace settings could be beneficial,” investigators concluded. “Future studies are needed to enhance adherence and to better characterize treatment mechanisms.”

Radin RM, Vacarro J, Fromer E, et al. Digital Meditation to Target Employee Stress: A Randomized Clinical Trial. 

 2025;8(1):e2454435. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.54435

Jamieson SD, Tuckey MR. Mindfulness interventions in the workplace: A critique of the current state of the literature. J Occup Health Psychol. 2017 Apr;22(2):180-193. doi: 10.1037/ocp0000048. Epub 2016 Sep 19. PMID: 27643606.

A digital mindfulness-based program effectively reduces employee stress, with benefits persisting for four months. The study involved 1,458 adults at a medical center, comparing a digital meditation group with a control group. Participants meditated for 10 minutes daily over eight weeks, showing significant improvements in stress, job strain, burnout, depression, anxiety, and work engagement. Longer app usage correlated with greater stress reduction. The study highlights the potential of digital mindfulness interventions for workplace stress management, though limitations include a lack of diversity in the participant sample.

A new study shows that employee stress improves when using a mindfulness meditation app for under or above 5 minutes (the more effective option).

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Mindfulness App Maintains Improvements in Employee Stress at 4 Months

Abigail Brooks is an assistant editor for 

She joined MJH Life Sciences in August 2023 shortly after graduating from Monmouth University where she earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations/Journalism and later an MA in Interactive Digital Media. She enjoys traveling, running, and reading books. She can be reached at abrooks@mjhlifesciences.com.

Marla Dubinsky, MD, is chief of the division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition and co-director of the Susan and Leonard Feinstein IBD Clinical Center, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine.

The recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of Lilly’s mirikizumab (Omvoh) for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) expands the interleukin(IL)-23p19 antagonist’s impact on 

 care, building upon its 2023 approval for 

The January 15, 2025, decision was based on positive results from the phase 3 VIVID-1 study in adults with moderately to severely active CD who had an inadequate response, loss of response, or intolerance to corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and/or biologics. Both primary endpoints were achieved, with 53% of patients treated with mirikizumab achieving clinical remission at 1 year versus 36% on placebo (

<.001) and 46% of patients treated with mirikizumab experiencing visible healing of the intestinal lining at 1 year versus 23% on placebo (

For additional insight into the need for effective therapies in CD and the significance of now having mirikizumab as a treatment option, the editorial team of 

 spoke with Marla Dubinsky, MD, chief of the division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition and co-director of the Susan and Leonard Feinstein IBD Clinical Center, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine.

 Can you explain what CD treatment has historically looked like and what unmet needs exist for effective therapies?

The introduction of anti-TNF therapies in the late 1990s revolutionized treatment. We quickly learned that TNF was not the right target for all patients. At first, we believed all roads led to TNF no matter the disease state or pathway, so we were okay with going very downstream.

Then, we realized there are primary nonresponders to TNF for whom that is not the right target. We also learned that over time, a significant amount of patients were losing response to anti-TNF, so the durability was in question.

This was more at the beginning when we were using episodically and there were anti-drug antibodies. The dosing on label was based on whether someone felt better. For UC, there was always an endoscopic component to outcomes for clinical trials. In Crohn’s disease, we started with “Do you feel better over the last 7 days?”

We know that for patients who don't have inflammation but have more sort of disorders of gut-brain interaction, maybe an IBS overlay, when you answer the CDAI, it can overlap significantly with some of our patients who also have these functional symptoms or patient-reported outcomes.

In the SONIC trial, about 50% of patients who said clinically they felt great on either infliximab monotherapy or infliximab plus a thiopurine or a thiopurine alone and met the CDAI score change of less than 150 had ulcerations on their colonoscopy that we were blinded to. The other 50% said they didn’t feel well. They had a CDAI score that met that disease activity, their scope was normal.

That disconnect between objective and subjective is so paramount to us understanding why, despite having incredible treatments and using them early, we still had a significant amount of patients going to the operating room. A lot of that was because we were following symptoms only. We were not using the TNFs correctly from a dosing standpoint, because we started off with episodic infliximab and the exposure response was so far off.

 What are some of the issues with anti-TNFs that merited the clinical development of IL-23 antagonists? How does the mirikizumab approval build upon this?

TNF is an incredible target, and when anti-TNF is used correctly and used early, there’s not much else you need. But there’s a group of patients where we just can't get enough of the dosing. They need more than what's on label, even if we use it escalated or optimized. TNF is not their primary cytokine, and by waiting far down the line to TNF, we may be missing an upstream opportunity to get better disease control and not wait for TNF to overwhelm the system.

We also had some realizations about safety. When I tell my patients there is a Black Box warning around TNFs, particularly when I talk about pregnancy or pediatric utilization, there's a fear about the safety hits it comes with. We know that, but to be fair, it is probably the class with the highest denominator on the planet compared to all of our other drugs, where although there are warnings around infection and lymphoma risk and other serious warnings, it is still the most utilized target we have.

That's all a lot of work and a lot of gymnastics, so we would like an easier button. When risankizumab first came out and endoscopy was part of the primary outcome, we learned that IL-23 works very well in naive patients, the same as what you see with mirikizumab. We also noted that there is no warning, there are very good pharmacokinetics, and these drugs appear to be extremely durable. You don't need to use a thiopurine with it, so you're not increasing the risk.

I think there's always a need for innovation. There is a need to understand the overlap between skin conditions and rheumatic conditions and GI. We tend to follow the lead like we did with risankizumab from psoriasis data. Interestingly, mirikizumab was only tested in the IBD space. The goal was not to first get it approved in a joint or skin condition, but instead to go straight to IBD, and it has had its approval for ulcerative colitis for a while now. I think all of that results in patients and physicians and any stakeholder wanting a drug that they can have confidence in that has proof of endoscopic remission and healing.

We know with mirikizumab, for example, that we had a significant amount of patients who not only met clinical deep remission versus placebo, but also met the mucosal aspect with healing of the intestinal lining being double the percentage that we saw with placebo.

Overall, we are entering an era where confidence and safety matters. I think mirikizumab represents a positive and forward movement in this class, where we are able to help patients feel better, both with the healing of their lining and also from an emotional perspective. We don't talk enough about the importance of urgency or fatigue. The fact that we've advanced our therapies to look at the whole person is really the new era of looking at drug efficacy, value, and validity.

Brooks A. FDA Approves Mirikizumab (Omvoh) for Crohn’s Disease. 

. January 15, 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-mirikizumab-omvoh-for-crohn-disease

Lilly's mirikizumab (Omvoh) has been approved by the FDA for treating moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, following its prior approval for ulcerative colitis. This decision was based on the VIVID-1 study, which demonstrated significant clinical remission and intestinal healing in patients. Historically, anti-TNF therapies have been pivotal but have limitations, including nonresponse and safety concerns. Mirikizumab, an IL-23 antagonist, offers a promising alternative with favorable safety and efficacy profiles, marking a significant advancement in inflammatory bowel disease management.

Dubinsky describes the evolution from anti-TNF therapies to IL-23 antagonists and the significance of mirikizumab’s approval for Crohn’s disease.

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Marla Dubinsky, MD: Ushering In a New Era of Crohn’s Disease Treatment with Mirikizumab

Connor Iapoce is the assistant managing editor for 

joining the MJH Life Sciences team in April 2021. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Journalism and Professional Writing. He enjoys listening to records, going to the movies, and playing with his cat, Squish. You can reach him at 

Topline results from a Phase 3b trial in the global STEP program demonstrated statistically significant and superior weight loss at 72 weeks with semaglutide 7.2 mg, compared with placebo, irrespective of treatment adherence.

Announced by Novo Nordisk on January 17, 2025, the randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, placebo-controlled STEP UP trial evaluated the efficacy of semaglutide 7.2 mg to semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) and placebo in more than 1400 adults with 

“Results from STEP UP further strengthen the clinical profile of semaglutide for the treatment of obesity, in addition to the health benefits already established with [semaglutide 2.4 mg], including cardiovascular risk reduction as seen in SELECT,” Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for development at Novo Nordisk, said a statement.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initally approved semaglutide 2.4 mg in June 2021, for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, marking a landmark approval for the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) class.

 A label expansion in March 2024 added an indication for reduction of cardiovascular risk among adults with obesity or overweight, based on results from the SELECT trial.

The primary objective of the STEP UP trial was to demonstrate the superiority of semaglutide 7.2 mg to placebo on weight loss. Key secondary endpoints followed up with the number of individuals achieving 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% weight loss, respectively. A total of 1407 randomized adults, with a mean baseline body weight of 113 kg, were randomized to once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg, semaglutide 2.4 mg, or placebo over 72 weeks, in conjunction with lifestyle intervention.

In assessment of the treatment effect, based on treatment adherence, results from STEP UP showed individuals treated with semaglutide 7.2 mg achieved a superior weight loss of 20.7% after 72 weeks, compared with 17.5% for semaglutide 2.4 mg and 2.4% for placebo. Approximately one-third (33.2%) of those who received semaglutide 7.2 achieved ≥25% weight loss after 72 weeks, compared with 16.7% for semaglutide 2.4 mg and 0% for placebo.

After application of the treatment policy estimand, individuals treated with semaglutide 7.2 mg exhibited a superior weight loss of 18.7%, compared with 15.6% for semaglutide 2.4 mg and 3.8% for placebo. Safety data from STEP UP demonstrated the tolerable profile of semaglutide 7.2 mg, with most signals mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal events, consistent with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) class.

Novo Nordisk announced more detailed results from STEP UP will be presented at a scientific conference in 2025. Results from the second Phase 3 trial evaluating semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with T2D and obesity (STEP UP T2D) are anticipated in the coming months, according to the company.

“We are very pleased to demonstrate 20.7% weight loss and to see that 33% of patients achieved more than 25% weight loss with semaglutide 7.2 mg, with a safety and tolerability profile comparable to semaglutide 2.4 mg,” Lange added.

Semaglutide 7.2 mg s.c. achieved 20.7% weight loss in the STEP UP obesity trial, and 18.7% regardless of treatment adherence. Novo Nordisk. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=915087.

Campbell P. Semaglutide (Wegovy) approved for chronic weight management in patients with obesity or overweight. HCP Live. April 17, 2023. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/semaglutide-approved-for-chronic-weight-management-in-patients-with-obesity-or-overweight.

Campbell P. Semaglutide (Wegovy) receives FDA label expansion to include cardiovascular risk reduction. HCP Live. March 8, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/semaglutide-wegovy-receives-fda-label-expansion-to-include-cardiovascular-risk-reduction.

A Phase 3b trial in the STEP program revealed that semaglutide 7.2 mg led to significant weight loss over 72 weeks compared to placebo, regardless of treatment adherence. Conducted by Novo Nordisk, the STEP UP trial involved over 1400 adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide 7.2 mg showed superior weight loss outcomes compared to semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo. The trial confirmed the safety profile of semaglutide 7.2 mg, with mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal events. Further results will be presented at a scientific conference in 2025.

Semaglutide 7.2 mg achieved statistically significant and superior weight loss at 72 weeks versus placebo, hitting the Phase 3b trial's primary endpoint.


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Semaglutide 7.2 mg Displays 20.7% Weight Loss in Phase 3b STEP UP Trial

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), announced an additional 15 drugs covered under Medicare Part D for price negotiations in 2025, targeted for chronic conditions including 

As circulated by the HHS on January 17, 2025, negotiations with participating drug companies will transpire in 2025, with any negotiated prices becoming effective in 2027, in line with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in August 2022.

“Last year, we proved that negotiating for lower drug prices works. Now we plan to build on that record by negotiating for lower prices for 15 additional important drugs for seniors,” Xavier Becerra, HHS Secretary, said in a statement. “Today’s announcement is pivotal–the Inflation Reduction Act is lowering prices for people on Medicare. HHS will continue negotiating in the best interest of people with Medicare to have access to innovative, life-saving treatments at lower costs.”

HHS announced the 15 selected drugs for the second round of negotiations included:

Semaglutide (Ozempic; Rybelsus; Wegovy) - Diabetes

Fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation powder (Trelegy Ellipta) - COPD

Enzalutamide (Xtandi) - Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Pomalidomide (Pomalyst) - Multiple Myeloma

Palbociclib (Ibrance) - HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer

Nintedanib (Ofev) - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, ILDs with Progressive Phenotype, SSo-ILD

Linactolide (Linzess) - IBS-C, Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in Adults, Functional Constipation in Pediatrics

Acalabrutinib (Calquence) - Mantle Cell Lymphoma, CLL, SLL

Deutetrabenazine (Austedo; Austedo XR) - Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease

Fluticasone furoate / Vilanterol (Breo Ellipta) - COPD, Asthma

Linagliptin (Tradjenta) - Type 2 Diabetes

Rifaximin (Xifaxan) - IBS-D, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Traveler’s Diarrhea

Cariprazine (Vraylar) - Schizophrenia, Bipolar I Disorder

Sitagliptin/Metformin (Janumet; Janumet XR) - Type 2 Diabetes

Apremilast (Otezla) - Psoriatic Arthritis, Plaque Psoriasis

HHS indicated nearly 5.3 million people with Medicare Part D coverage used these drugs between November 2023 and October 2024, accounting for $41 million in total gross covered prescription drug costs under Medicare Part D (~14%). Combined with the total gross covered prescription drug costs for the 10 drugs selected for the first round of negotiations in August 2023, these costs represented more than a third of total gross covered prescription drug costs under Medicare Part D.

“Improving prescription drug affordability for Medicare enrollees is the core of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the next cycle of negotiations will continue to strengthen Medicare for generations to come,” Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, CMS Administrator, said in a statement.

Under the final guidance for the second cycle of the Drug Price Negotiation Program, drug companies will have until February 28, 2025, to determine their negotiation participation. CMS will evaluate the selected drug’s clinical benefit, how it addresses an unmet medical need, and its payoff for specific populations, including those on Medicare. Negotiations will also focus on research and development costs and production and distribution for the 15 selected drugs.

In the first cycle of negotiations, CMS negotiated with drug manufacturers and agreed on lower prices for all 10 drugs to become effective January 1, 2026. These new prices ranged from 38–79% discounts off list prices.

 People with Medicare prescription drug coverage are expected to see aggregated estimated savings of $1.5 billion in their out-of-pocket spending in 2026, according to HHS.

CMS will select for negotiation up to an additional 15 drugs for the third cycle of negotiation, including drugs covered under Medicare Part B and Part D, and up to 20 more for each subsequent cycle after that, as summarized in the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Today, I’m proud to announce that my Administration has selected the next 15 drugs for Medicare drug price negotiation. The drugs treat conditions such as diabetes and cancer, and seniors across the country rely on them,” President Joe Biden, said in a statement.

 “These 15 drugs, together with the 10 drugs that Medicare already negotiated, represent about a third of Medicare Part D spending on prescription drugs, which means the lower prices my Inflation Reduction Act is delivering will put money back in seniors’ pockets across the country.

HHS announces 15 additional drugs selected for Medicare Drug Price negotiations in continued effort to lower prescription drug costs for seniors. CMS.gov. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-announces-15-additional-drugs-selected-medicare-drug-price-negotiations-continued-effort-lower.

Campbell P. Biden administration, CMS reveal first 10 drugs set for price negotiation. HCP Live. August 29, 2023. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/biden-administration-cms-reveal-first-10-drugs-set-for-price-negotiation.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). Inflation reduction act and Medicare. HHS.gov. January 16, 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.hhs.gov/inflation-reduction-act/index.html.

Statement from president Joe Biden on the next fifteen drugs selected for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation. The White House. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-next-fifteen-drugs-selected-for-medicare-drug-price-negotiation/.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, through CMS, announced 15 additional drugs for Medicare Part D price negotiations in 2025, targeting chronic conditions like diabetes and COPD. These negotiations, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to lower drug costs for seniors, with new prices effective in 2027. The selected drugs account for a significant portion of Medicare Part D spending. The initiative is expected to save Medicare enrollees $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026, with further negotiations planned for additional drugs.

Medicare has selected 15 additional drugs to negotiate prices directly with participating drug companies, including semaglutide (Ozempic).

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HHS Targets 15 Drugs for Medicare Part D Negotiations, Including Semaglutide

In this analysis, the investigators sought to assess the ability of a ChatGPT-4-based chatbot in its performance of key functions in a teledermatology platform.

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Study Compares ChatGPT-4 Diagnostic Abilities to Teledermatologists

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Panelists discuss how chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management follows a stepwise approach, beginning with bronchodilators (typically short-acting β2-agonists/long-acting β2-agonists) and progressing to combination therapy with long-acting muscarinic antagonists/inhaled corticosteroids based on symptom severity. Current unmet needs include more targeted anti-inflammatory treatments, better biomarkers for phenotyping, and therapies to halt disease progression, particularly for those who don’t respond well to conventional treatments.


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COPD condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on COPD research, treatment, and drug development.

Treatment of COPD Based on Symptoms

Panelists discuss how, despite being preventable and treatable, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has emerged as a major global health challenge due to widespread exposure to risk factors, particularly tobacco smoke, which remains the primary cause despite declining smoking rates in some regions. Early environmental exposures play a crucial role—workplace pollutants, air pollution, and secondhand smoke can damage developing lungs, whereas genetic factors like α1-antitrypsin deficiency increase susceptibility.




Health and Economic Burden of COPD

Despite the surge in telemental health use in patients with schizophrenia, fewer people in racial or ethnic minority groups had a telemental health visit compared to White people.

Schizophrenia

The HCPLive schizophrenia page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on the mental disorder. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for schizophrenia, and more.

Telemental Health Surges for Schizophrenia Care Post-COVID, Racial Gaps Persist

The study leverages large US-based claims datasets and pathologist input to estimate the annual incidence and total prevalence of IgAN in the US.

Nephrology

The HCPLive nephrology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on kidney disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in nephrology, and more.

IgA Nephropathy

The HCPLive Berger disease page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on IgA nephropathy. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in Berger disease, and more.

New Research Provides Insight Into Incidence, Prevalence of IgAN in the United States

Victoria Johnson joined the MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and now HCPLive. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com

Heat therapy often worsened symptoms in a randomized controlled trial.

Gout

On the HCPLive gout page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into gouty arthritis can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on gout, and more.

Rheumatology

Rheumatology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on rheumatologic disease. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for arthritis, gout, nr-AxSpA, and more.

Research Confirms Cold Therapy Benefits During Gout Flares

Podcasts

Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH, joins The Medical Sisterhood to discuss advocacy, mentorship, and the empowerment of women in medicine. 

Alopecia

The Medical Sisterhood, with Mona Shahriari, MD

The Medical Sisterhood, hosted by Mona Shahriari, MD, is a podcast dedicated to empowering female physicians by providing a platform for shared experiences, mentorship, and support. 

Each episode delves into the unique challenges women in medicine face, including work-life balance, leadership roles, and overcoming gender biases. Shahriari aims to inspire women to lead fulfilling professional and personal lives on their own terms through candid discussions and expert interviews. 

e as we foster a community where women can uplift and support each other in achieving their goals!

podcasts page features a feed of medical news and interview podcast series, including DocTalk, Lungcast, Derm Discussions, and Heart Trials.

Medical Sisterhood: Polished and Powerful—Women Leading the Charge in Advocacy

In this episode, hosts explore ADA's evolving guidelines championing broader access to CGM and AID systems for personalized diabetes care.

Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives is a monthly podcast hosted by Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, aimed at providing a regular roundup of the latest clinically applicable insights across diabetes and metabolic diseases, with a focus on leveraging technology to improve care.

Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes Dialogue: ADA’s 2025 Standards of Care in Diabetes Technology

Boehringer Ingelheim’s phase 3 trial of iclepertin for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia failed to meet primary and secondary endpoints, showing no significant effects.

Latest News

Study Highlights New Data on Probiotics as Food Allergy Treatment for Children

Mindfulness App Maintains Improvements in Employee Stress at 4 Months

Marla Dubinsky, MD: Ushering In a New Era of Crohn’s Disease Treatment with Mirikizumab

Semaglutide 7.2 mg Displays 20.7% Weight Loss in Phase 3b STEP UP Trial

HHS Targets 15 Drugs for Medicare Part D Negotiations, Including Semaglutide