Biologic Therapies Sample Clauses

Biologic Therapies. The introduction of biologic therapies has revolutionised the treatment of RA over the last two decades. These new therapies stemmed from a better understanding of the pathogenesis of RA and the important inflammatory pathways involved in the establishment and maintenance of disease. These therapies have been shown to improve signs and symptoms of RA as well as reduce progression of joint damage. The first biologic therapies to become available were anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) drugs. These drugs are still widely used today and are usually considered the first line biologic therapy. Shortly after anti-TNF therapy became available, the drug Anakinra came onto the market, which targets interleukin-1 (IL- 1). Although it was felt that both TNF-α and IL-1 were the most important cytokines in the inflammatory pathway in RA, Anakinra has not proven as efficacious as anti- TNF therapy. Despite the undoubted success of anti-TNF therapy, it has failed to become the ‘cure’ that it was once heralded. There are also problems with anti-TNF therapy, the most common of which is the increased risk of infection and the particular problem of reactivation of tuberculosis (TB). Anti-TNF therapy can also worsen heart failure and a significant proportion of patients do not respond to therapy. Therefore, there has been ongoing research to identify other potential targets in the inflammatory pathway. A number of newer biologic therapies have come onto the market in the last few years. These include anti-B cell therapy, T cell co-stimulation blockade and anti-IL-6 therapy. Conventional drugs inhibit small molecules; however, as cytokines are large peptides, large molecules are required to inhibit them. Therefore, biologics are large proteins based on immunoglobulins and are delivered by infusion or injection. The bioengineering required to produce these drugs is expensive and contributes to their significantly higher costs as compared to traditional DMARDs. Ideally these biologics would be replaced with small molecules which can inhibit the intracellular targets of cytokines. However, this ideal is still some way into the future.
Sample 1
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Related to Biologic Therapies

  • Speech Therapy This plan covers speech therapy services when provided by a qualified licensed • loss of speech or communication function; or • impairment as a result of an acute illness or injury, or an acute exacerbation of a chronic disease. Speech therapy services must relate to: • performing basic functional communication; or • assessing or treating swallowing dysfunction. See Autism Services when speech therapy services are rendered as part of the treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The amount you pay and any benefit limit will be the same whether the services are provided for habilitative or rehabilitative purposes.

  • Hepatitis B Vaccine Where the Hospital identifies high risk areas where employees are exposed to Hepatitis B, the Hospital will provide, at no cost to the employees, a Hepatitis B vaccine.

  • Diagnostic procedures to aid the Provider in determining required dental treatment.

  • Influenza Vaccine Upon recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health, all employees shall be required, on an annual basis to be vaccinated and or to take antiviral medication for influenza. If the costs of such medication are not covered by some other sources, the Employer will pay the cost for such medication. If the employee fails to take the required medication, she may be placed on an unpaid leave of absence during any influenza outbreak in the home until such time as the employee has been cleared by the public health or the Employer to return to the work environment. The only exception to this would be employees for whom taking the medication will result in the employee being physically ill to the extent that she cannot attend work. Upon written direction from the employee’s physician of such medical condition in consultation with the Employer’s physician, (if requested), the employee will be permitted to access their sick bank, if any, during any outbreak period. If there is a dispute between the physicians, the employee will be placed on unpaid leave. If the employee gets sick as a reaction to the drug and applies for WSIB the Employer will not oppose the application. If an employee is pregnant and her physician believes the pregnancy could be in jeopardy as a result of the influenza inoculation and/or the antiviral medication she shall be eligible for sick leave in circumstances where she is not allowed to attend at work as a result of an outbreak. This clause shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

  • Radiation Therapy/Chemotherapy Services This plan covers chemotherapy and radiation services. This plan covers respiratory therapy services. When respiratory services are provided in your home, as part of a home care program, durable medical equipment, supplies, and oxygen are covered as a durable medical equipment service.

  • Diagnostic Services All necessary procedures to assist the dentist in evaluating the existing conditions to determine the required dental treatment, including: Oral examinations Consultations

  • Clinical 1.1 Provides comprehensive evidence based nursing care and individual case management to a specific group of patients/clients including assessment, intervention and evaluation. 1.2 Undertakes clinical shifts at the direction of senior staff and the Nursing Director including participation on the on-call/after-hours/weekend roster if required. 1.3 Responsible and accountable for patient safety and quality of care through planning, coordinating, performing, facilitating, and evaluating the delivery of patient care relating to a particular group of patients, clients or staff in the practice setting. 1.4 Monitors, reviews and reports upon the standard of nursing practice to ensure that colleagues are working within the scope of nursing practice, following appropriate clinical pathways, policies, procedures and adopting a risk management approach in patient care delivery. 1.5 Participates in xxxx rounds/case conferences as appropriate. 1.6 Educates patients/carers in post discharge management and organises discharge summaries/referrals to other services, as appropriate. 1.7 Supports and liaises with patients, carers, colleagues, medical, nursing, allied health, support staff, external agencies and the private sector to provide coordinated multidisciplinary care. 1.8 Completes clinical documentation and undertakes other administrative/management tasks as required. 1.9 Participates in departmental and other meetings as required to meet organisational and service objectives. 1.10 Develops and seeks to implement change utilising expert clinical knowledge through research and evidence based best practice. 1.11 Monitors and maintains availability of consumable stock. 1.12 Complies with and demonstrates a positive commitment to Regulations, Acts and Policies relevant to nursing including the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia, the Code of Conduct for Nurses in Australia, the National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse and the Poisons Act 2014 and Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016. 1.13 Promotes and participates in team building and decision making. 1.14 Responsible for the clinical supervision of nurses at Level 1 and/or Enrolled Nurses/ Assistants in Nursing under their supervision.

  • Screening After you sign and date the consent document, you will begin screening. The purpose of the screening is to find out if you meet all of the requirements to take part in the study. Procedures that will be completed during the study (including screening) are described below. If you do not meet the requirements, you will not be able to take part in the study. The study investigator or study staff will explain why. As part of screening, you must complete all of the items listed below: • Give your race, age, gender, and ethnicity • Give your medical history o You must review and confirm the information in your medical history questionnaire • Give your drug, alcohol, and tobacco use history • Give your past and current medication and treatment history. This includes any over-the-counter or prescription drugs, such as vitamins, dietary supplements, or herbal supplements, taken in the past 28 days • Height and weight will be measured • Physical exam will be done • Electrocardiogram (ECG) will be collected. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart • You may be tested for COVID-19 o Blood tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C o Blood tests to see how your blood clots ▪ Fibrinogen ▪ PT/INR/aPTT o Blood tests for amylase and lipase (enzymes that help with digestion, Part B only) o Blood tests for a lipid (fats) panel (Part B only) ▪ Total cholesterol ▪ Triglycerides ▪ HDL ▪ Direct HDL o Blood tests to check your thyroid function (Part B and Part C only) ▪ TSH ▪ Free T4 o Urine to test for drugs of abuse (illegal and prescription) o Urine tests to check your albumin/ creatinine ratio o Females who have not had a period for at least 12 months in a row will have a blood hormone test to confirm they cannot have children • The study investigator may decide to do an alcohol breath test • The use of proper birth control will be reviewed (males only) • You will be asked “How do you feel?” HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C will be tested at screening. If anyone is exposed to your blood during the study, you will have these tests done again. If you have a positive test, you cannot be in or remain in the study. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). If your HIV test is positive, you will be told about the results. It may take weeks or months after being infected with HIV for the test to be positive. The HIV test is not always right. Having certain infections or positive test results may have to be reported to the State Department of Health. This includes results for HIV, hepatitis, and other infections. If you have any questions about what information is required to be reported, please ask the study investigator or study staff. Although this testing is meant to be private, complete privacy cannot be guaranteed. For example, it is possible for a court of law to get health or study records without your permission.

  • Human Leukocyte Antigen Testing This plan covers human leukocyte antigen testing for A, B, and DR antigens once per member per lifetime to establish a member’s bone marrow transplantation donor suitability in accordance with R.I. General Law §27-20-36. The testing must be performed in a facility that is: • accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or its successors; and • licensed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act as it may be amended from time to time. At the time of testing, the person being tested must complete and sign an informed consent form that also authorizes the results of the test to be used for participation in the National Marrow Donor program.

  • Disease Management If you have a chronic condition such as asthma, coronary heart disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we’re here to help. Our tools and information can help you manage your condition and improve your health. You may also be eligible to receive help through our care coordination program. This voluntary program is available at no additional cost you. To learn more about disease management, please call (000) 000-0000 or 0-000-000-0000. Our entire contract with you consists of this agreement and our contract with your employer. Your ID card will identify you as a member when you receive the healthcare services covered under this agreement. By presenting your ID card to receive covered healthcare services, you are agreeing to abide by the rules and obligations of this agreement. Your eligibility for benefits is determined under the provisions of this agreement. Your right to appeal and take action is described in Appeals in Section 5. This agreement describes the benefits, exclusions, conditions and limitations provided under your plan. It shall be construed under and shall be governed by the applicable laws and regulations of the State of Rhode Island and federal law as amended from time to time. It replaces any agreement previously issued to you. If this agreement changes, an amendment or new agreement will be provided.

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