FDA begins sharing rejection letters drugmakers often kept secret
Investors have long asked the FDA to share its reasons for rejecting drugs, arguing that companies can use the agency’s silence on the matter to mislead the market.
Health Care & Insurance
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Cycling broadens IU physician’s influence on wellness and fitness
Dr. Chemen Neal of the Indiana University School of Medicine has taken her passion for cycling from a personal fitness pursuit to something deeper—a tool for meeting all sorts of people and promoting health and wellness.
Prices for obesity drugs fall, but affordability still out of reach for many
The medications still amount to around $500 per month for those without insurance—out of reach for many patients. And even for people with insurance, coverage remains uneven.
‘Narrow’ health plans gain wider acceptance
Direct-to-employer health insurance plans, in which an employer contracts directly with a health care network for coverage, restrict provider choice but are generally less expensive for employers and employees.
Youth tobacco use continues to decline but nicotine pouches gain popularity
Since 2000, the Indiana Department of Health has surveyed more than 4,800 public middle and high school students every two years to monitor tobacco trends.
Health insurers promise to improve coverage reviews that prompt delays, complaints
UnitedHealthcare, Indianapolis-based Elevance Health, CVS Health’s Aetna, Cigna and more than 40 other insurers say they plan to reduce the scope of health care claims subject to prior authorization.
Aflac finds suspicious activity on network that might affect personal data
Aflac said potentially impacted files contain claims information, health information, Social Security numbers and other personal information related to customers, beneficiaries, employees, agents and other individuals.
‘Indiana needs a HIP replacement,’ social services secretary says about insurance program
Ongoing negotiations in Washington, D.C., could undermine or fundamentally alter the third iteration of the Healthy Indiana Plan, otherwise known as HIP.
Supreme Court decision over gender-transition treatments has implications for Indiana, other states
In one of the most high-profile cases of the term, the court voted 6-3 along ideological lines to uphold a state law that prohibits adolescents from using hormones and puberty blockers for gender transition.
Lilly hosts Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’ Q&A on blockbuster weight-loss drug Zepbound
Questions included whether the Indianapolis-based drugmaker is working to improve insurance coverage for the drug and highlighted users’ concerns about comparisons with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy.
Pharmaceutical company planning to relocate from California to Fishers
1Elevan Biopharmaceuticals plans to relocate to a vacant industrial building near Interstate 69 and East 121st Street, where it expects to build a workforce of at least 120 employees over the next decade.
Hoosier homeowners have seen 16% rise in insurance premiums over past 3 years, report says
One in every 54 policies, or 1.8%, were canceled due to nonpayment in 2022, according to the center’s analysis of Federal Insurance Office data.
Community Health Network looks to save $10M this year by using AI tools
While many hospital systems are using some form of artificial intelligence to streamline administrative tasks, some, like Community, are taking it a step further, using it to inform some aspects of patient care.
Indiana health department reports possible record-low infant death rate
If the rate holds after final review, it would be Indiana’s lowest since the state began tracking the measure in 1900.
Paramedic alleges discrimination based on sexual orientation in suit against IU Health
The paramedic alleges he was harassed by two tenured paramedics who he believes targeted him because of his sexuality.
FSSA secretary: Braun administration ‘inherited a mess’
Mitch Roob is taking his second turn leading the Family and Social Services Administration, which has the single largest budget due to its federal funding. Previously, he led the agency under former Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Dental group downsizes plans for 2026 convention in Indianapolis
The American Dental Association has called off its annual SmileCon starting in 2026. The ADA will still conduct its annual meeting in Indianapolis, but with a large reduction in expected attendance.
Lilly seeks to expand pain pipeline with $1B acquisition
SiteOne Therapeutics is developing a non-opioid therapy that targets sodium ion channels in the human body to treat pain and sensory hyperexcitability disorders.
Weight-loss drugs may lower cancer risk in people with diabetes, study suggests
The findings were released Thursday by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and will be discussed at its annual meeting.
FDA to limit COVID vaccine approval to older adults, those with medical conditions
FDA leaders estimate more than 100 million Americans would still be eligible for the shots under the new framework.