News

Authorities in the U.K. have preliminarily recommended that Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) not be reimbursed for eligible patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) under its national public health program based on uncertainties about the gene therapy’s cost-effectiveness. The drafted decision from the National Institute for Health and Care…

While children with sickle cell anemia — the most common form of sickle cell disease — are vulnerable to serious infections and stroke, many don’t receive the antibiotics or annual ultrasounds that national guidelines suggest could keep them healthier, a study found. Only about 1 in 5 children took…

Bluebird Bio has struck a deal with Medicaid in the state of Michigan to allow eligible people with sickle cell disease access to the now-approved gene therapy Lyfgenia (lovotibeglogene autotemcel). The new deal will provide Lyfgenia through an outcomes-based agreement — a financial structure in…

Tim Randolph, PhD, a scientist and professor at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, has been named a senior member of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for his work to develop low-cost diagnostic tools for sickle cell disease. The NAI Senior Members Program recognizes the spirit…

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) or sickle cell trait (SCT) face an increased risk of hospitalization and mortality following infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, compared with the general population, according to a pooled analysis of published studies. Researchers also noted that kidney complications after COVID-19…

Suburban Propane joined the American Red Cross and other supporters in February to mark Black History Month with a blood drive that celebrated the life and work of Charles R. Drew, a renowned surgeon, medical researcher, and pioneer in blood transfusions. Drew was known as the “father…

Novartis is recalling its sickle cell disease (SCD) treatment Adakveo (crizanlizumab) in the U.K., after the nation’s drug regulatory agency revoked the conditional approval it had previously granted to the antibody-based therapy. The U.K. Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) made its decision based on Adakveo’s failure…

A national £1.5 million ($1.9 million) technology investment in the U.K. is aiming to expand access to red blood cell exchange devices for people with sickle cell disease (SCD) living in North East England. The focus will be on improving treatment availability for underserved patients in urban, rural, and…

Nearly 1 in 3 children and teens with sickle cell disease (SCD) reports persistent or chronic pain, according to a new study that tested how well routine screening for pain worked as a tool to help identify those pediatric patients with the greatest need for interventions. “Pain screening fit…

Nearly 3 in every 4 people with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the U.S. are not using an approved, disease-modifying therapy (DMT), according to a nationwide claims analysis. These patients tend to be older and to have relatively milder disease — the lowest prevalence of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs)…