COVID-19 Vaccine and Biologics: An Impending Dilemma.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare providers across all specialties to adjust their methods of clinical practice. In Dermatology, focus on the continued safe usage of immunomodulating biologic therapies has attracted particular interest as the COVID-19 virus represents a novel infection risk. While guidance on biologic initiation and continuation has been established,1 the return to normalcy will likely involve a safe and effective vaccine. This vaccine(s) will represent a new clinical hurdle for prescribers who have continued patients on biologic therapy throughout the pandemic.

Drug costs of Medicaid-covered therapies for pemphigus vulgaris treatment.

Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common form of pemphigus affecting an estimated 30,000-40,000 people in the United States. Costs of systemic and immunoglobulin therapies for pemphigus vulgaris have remained persistently high. Herein, we address the current costs and changes in costs of immunosuppressive treatments, anti-inflammatory treatments, and immunoglobulin treatments covered by Medicaid for pemphigus vulgaris from 2013-2020.