Wednesday, 26 August 2026

First oral PCSK9 inhibitor, PE algorithm tested in cancer, At-home lecanemab initiation

1. 01

   FDA approves first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for LDL reduction

   The US Food and Drug Administration approved the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor to reduce LDL cholesterol. The approval marked the first time this drug class became available in an oral form. PCSK9 inhibitors had previously been available only as injectable therapies. The source provided limited detail and did not specify the product name, eligible population, efficacy data or safety information.

   via JAMA

2. 02

   Trial tests YEARS algorithm for pulmonary embolism in active cancer

   The YEARS diagnostic algorithm was evaluated for ruling out pulmonary embolism in patients with active cancer. The randomised noninferiority trial compared its safety and efficiency with computed tomographic pulmonary angiography. The source gives limited detail and does not report the trial’s results.

   via JAMA · also covered by JAMA

3. 03

   FDA approves at-home lecanemab initiation for Alzheimer disease

   The US Food and Drug Administration approved a new subcutaneous starting dosage regimen for lecanemab-irmb in Alzheimer disease. The regimen allows patients to begin treatment with the amyloid β-directed antibody at home. The source gives limited detail about the regimen.

   via JAMA

4. 04

   ACOG updates clinical guidance on HIV screening and prevention

   The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists has released updated clinical guidance on HIV screening and prevention. The source gives limited detail and does not describe the guidance’s recommendations or intended patient groups.

   via JAMA

5. 05

   Higher folic acid dose linked to early-pregnancy bleeding

   Taking at least 800 micrograms of folic acid daily was associated with increased reports of spotting and mild bleeding during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. The Australian study analysed more than 2400 first-time mothers recruited before and after mandatory folic acid fortification of bread-making flour began in 2009. Among women carrying a boy, the risk of vaginal bleeding was more than double that of women who did not take folic acid supplements; those who experienced bleeding were also more likely to give birth earlier than those without bleeding. RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman cautioned that the association may be correlative rather than causative. Researchers said the findings did not challenge folic acid’s established benefits in preventing serious birth defects and called for further research into the mechanisms and whether supplementation guidelines should be refined.

   via RACGP newsGP

6. 06

   Bupa seeks legal expansion of insurer-funded primary care

   Bupa is calling for amendments to the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 that would allow private insurers to fund primary care services attracting a Medicare benefit, including preventive programs, early intervention, care coordination and chronic disease management. The insurer, which operates more than 30 Australian GP clinics and plans to acquire another 68, also proposed expanding MyMedicare through patient-linked funding for chronic and complex care. RACGP funding and health system reform chair Associate Professor Rashmi Sharma said additional investment could improve access but warned that insurer involvement could fragment care, undermine continuity and give privately insured patients preferential access to general practice. She said any new funding or care models should be GP led, transparent and patient centred, while protecting universal access, equity and Medicare’s integrity.

   via RACGP newsGP

MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.