Trending News Today: AMA Opposes Changes to Patient Privacy Laws

The American Medical Association (AMA) is opposing changes to patient privacy laws that would allow physicians to more freely share information about a patient’s history of substance use, STAT reported. According to the article, the AMA wrote in a letter to lawmakers that relaxing restrictions on patient privacy could prevent individuals from seeking medical treatment. The provision would allow physicians to share a patient’s full medical history, including addiction treatment, with other health care professionals and insurers, sometimes without a patient’s consent.

A new study found that diabetes drugs are less accessible and less affordable for individuals in low- and middle-income countries than for individuals in wealthier countries, Reuters reported. According to the article, metformin was available in all pharmacies in high-income countries and in India, but it was stocked in just 65% of other low-income countries, excluding India. Metformin was affordable for more than 99% of patients in wealthier nations compared with 73% in poorer countries, the article reported.

Bayer’s long-acting treatment for hemophilia A has won a recommendation from a European Medicines Agency panel, Reuters reported. According to the article, the drug, known as Jivi, effectively prevents and controls bleeding when used on demand and during surgical procedures, the committee said. The US FDA approved the injection last month for previously treated patients and adolescents aged 12 years and older, the article reported.