
Results of the POETYK PsA-2 trial indicate deucravacitinib’s effectiveness at reducing the severity and burden of symptoms in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Luke Halpern is an assistant editor with Pharmacy Times. Luke wrote for Pharmacy Times in the summer of 2023, and assumed a full-time role in June 2024. His work has been featured in Pharmacy Times and the American Journal of Managed Care. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in May 2024.

Results of the POETYK PsA-2 trial indicate deucravacitinib’s effectiveness at reducing the severity and burden of symptoms in patients with psoriatic arthritis.


Though rare and typically presenting as transient, a case study demonstrates severe, chronic neutropenia in a patient with multifocal motor neuropathy treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Icotrokinra, an oral pill that blocks the IL-23 receptor, had a favorable safety profile in adults and adolescents 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

In older postmenopausal women, leukocyte count was found to be an independent predictor of long COVID symptom severity, highlighting its potential for use as a novel symptom biomarker.

Sarcopenia, a progressive skeletal order that involves the accelerated loss of muscle mass and function, is associated with adverse outcomes such as functional decline, frailty, and mortality.

The novel formulation of trametinib has the potential to change the treatment paradigm of human papillomavirus (HPV) and prevent infections before they progress to deadly cancers.

With the new designation, OpCT-001 can receive expedited investigations into its potential to improve vision function in patients with primary photoreceptor diseases.

At 1- and 2-year follow-up points, ruxolitinib led to considerable improvements in survival in patients with myelofibrosis who develop graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Elevidys offers significantly higher dystrophin production than existing Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatments but requires intensive monitoring for adverse events.

Following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), luspatercept effectively improved signs of anemia in patients with a variety of hematologic conditions.

Pharmacists have been central to vaccine distribution since the COVID-19 pandemic, and as viruses spread, they must continue urging patients to stay updated on vaccinations to prevent severe illness and reduce hospitalizations.

The FDA is issuing new changes to labels on testosterone products, clarifying that there are no increases in major cardiac events among men with hypogonadism but noting an increase in blood pressure with the use of such products.

Given the increasing age of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis, knowing which therapies are most effective for different subgroups is essential.

The new approval expands the portfolio of denosumab biosimilars, increasing access and improving costs for patients.

Obinutuzumab is effective in reducing proteinuria and preserving kidney function in lupus nephritis, with consistent benefits across high-disease activity subgroups.

New results shed light on the ineffectiveness of the combination antiviral therapy in patients vaccinated against COVID-19.

Pharmacists are integral to setting patient expectations, monitoring liver health, and ensuring adherence to long-term follow-up for optimal outcomes with etranacogene dezaparvovec.

The results act as a contradiction to conventional wisdom of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol being healthy and lowering the risk of heart disease, but more research is warranted.

In this episode, Jill Simonian and Codi Peterson explore the evolving role of pharmacists in medical cannabis, addressing legal complexities, patient counseling, and key considerations for safe and effective use.

Compared with other indicators of cardiovascular risk, the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) to normal HDL-C had a stronger association with the risk of hypertension and heart disease.

Even for patients with myelofibrosis who could otherwise proceed directly to hematopoietic cell transplantation, pre-transplant treatment with ruxolitinib led to improved survival benefits.

The ongoing "quad-demic" of influenza, norovirus, RSV, and COVID is creating heightened health risks, making prevention through hygiene, masking, and vaccination critical.

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for patients with CIDP requires navigating insurance coverage and prolonged therapy.

The label changes to buprenorphine extended-release injections can increase convenience and adherence for patients with moderate to severe opioid use disorder.

Nadofaragene firadenovec led to most patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) experiencing a complete response (CR) at 3 months.

According to Pranav Garimella, pharmacists are essential in counseling patients with CKD on the appropriate use of semaglutide.

Etranacogene dezaparvovec offers a long-term, cost-effective solution for hemophilia B by providing sustained factor IX expression but requires careful patient selection and post-infusion liver monitoring.

Plasma therapy can involve burdensome procedures and infusions for patients, but pharmacists can use their expertise to make the process easier and more convenient.

Using chromosome genomic array testing in combination with existing risk stratification models can better determine patients with myelofibrosis who can benefit from transplant.