News roundup

Results from a new study in JAMA found that the Million Hearts Model, which paid participating health care organizations to assess and reduce patients’ CVD risk, decreased myocardial infarction and stroke rates for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 40 to 79 years at high or medium risk for these events.

CDC releases 2024 immunization schedules for all age groups. FDA approves first OTC test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. CDC: Vaccine exemptions for kindergartners at highest level. FDA warns of potential lethal reaction to certain seizure meds. Pharmacists’ role in BP control saves significant U.S. health care dollars. Has generic imatinib reduced Medicare beneficiaries’ cost for this expensive drug?

Effective immediately, FDA has changed the labels on two medications used to bring down LDL cholesterol levels: bempedoic acid (Nexletol) and bempedoic acid/ezetimibe (Nexlizet).

CDC’s adult immunization schedule for 2024, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on January 12, 2024, includes updates for several vaccines, such as those for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningitis, mpox, and COVID-19.

FDA warns patients not to use smartwatches or smart rings to measure blood glucose levels. Survey looks at characteristics of young adults who use e-cigarettes. CDC: Older adults should get another COVID-19 dose this spring. BP improves with patients taking GLP-1, says study. Low-dose aspirin during pregnancy appears to have no effect on child’s neurodevelopment. Age-related risk of serious falls increases with opioid use. Pennsylvania pharmacists can now bill Medicaid for pharmacy services.