HEOR News

V-Safe: How Everyday People Help the Centers for Disease Control Track COVID-19 Vaccine Safety With Their Phones (Kaiser Health News)
The program, created to complement the Centers for Disease Control’s vaccine monitoring system, has enrolled more than 9 million people so far to share information about their health since getting the shot. Read more.

The White House Wants $65 Billion for an “Apollo-Style” Pandemic Preparedness Program (STAT News)
The Biden administration’s sweeping new biosecurity plan would represent one of the largest investments in public health in American history. Read more.

External Control Arms and Debunking Real-World Data Myths (pharmaphorum)
External control arms based on real-world data have been slow in gaining traction and clarity is needed about how they can bring therapies to patients faster. Read more.

Cancer Research Faces Uncertain Post-COVID-19 Landscape (Deep Dive Magazine)
Paul Workman, the Institute of Cancer Research, London, says the UK government has to implement a clear plan for funding and development going forward to ensure a bright future for cancer research. Read more.

American’s Health Insurance Plans Asks for “Good Faith Safe Harbor” With Surprise Billing Rule (Becker’s Hospital Review)
The health insurance lobby, America’s Health Insurance Plans, wants government officials to put into a place a “good faith safe harbor” as well as accommodations through 2023 to adjust to the upcoming surprising billing rule. Read more.

Japan Set to Issue “Vaccine Passports” Online by Year-End (Asahi Shimbun)
For Japanese residents who are fully inoculated against COVID-19 and are planning to travel overseas, the government is planning to issue digital “vaccine passports.” Read more.

The 10 Power Players to Watch on Democrats’ Drug Pricing Push (STAT News)
Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are among the key players of note in the upcoming efforts to reform drug pricing. Read more.

Are Vaccine Selfies Good or Bad for Fighting Hesitancy? Researchers Weigh In (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Research published recently in Psychology & Health says social media selfies of people getting their COVID-19 shots could help spread the message of vaccine safety and effectiveness. Read more.

China Allows Couples Third Child Amid Demographic Crisis (Asahi Shimbun)
The amendment to the Population and Family Planning law is intended to stem off a demographic crisis that threatens the country’s future prosperity. Read more.

Swapping Salt for Substitute Cuts Rates of Stroke, Heart Attack and Death, Study Finds (South China Morning Post)
A 5-year study in rural China found that substituting table salt with alternatives containing less sodium and more potassium reduces the incidence of stroke, heart attack, and death. Read more.