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.
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Related to Biologic Therapies

  • Therapies Acupuncture and acupuncturist services, including x-ray and laboratory services. • Biofeedback, biofeedback training, and biofeedback by any other modality for any condition. • Recreational therapy services and programs, including wilderness programs. • Services provided in any covered program that are recreational therapy services, including wilderness programs, educational services, complimentary services, non- medical self-care, self-help programs, or non-clinical services. Examples include, but are not limited to, Tai Chi, yoga, personal training, meditation. • Computer/internet/social media based services and/or programs. • Recreational therapy. • Aqua therapy unless provided by a physical therapist. • Maintenance therapy services unless it is a habilitative service that helps a person keep, learn or improve skills and functioning for daily living. • Aromatherapy. • Hippotherapy. • Massage therapy rendered by a massage therapist. • Therapies, procedures, and services for the purpose of relieving stress. • Physical, occupational, speech, or respiratory therapy provided in your home, unless through a home care program. • Pelvic floor electrical and magnetic stimulation, and pelvic floor exercises. • Educational classes and services for speech impairments that are self-correcting. • Speech therapy services related to food aversion or texture disorders. • Exercise therapy. • Naturopathic, homeopathic, and Christian Science services, regardless of who orders or provides the services. Vision Care Services • Eye exercises and visual training services. • Lenses and/or frames and contact lenses for members aged nineteen (19) and older. • Vision hardware purchased from a non-network provider. • Non-collection vision hardware. • Lenses and/or frames and contact lenses unless specifically listed as a covered healthcare service.

  • Speech Therapy This plan covers speech therapy services when provided by a qualified licensed provider and part of a formal treatment plan for: • 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.

  • Infusion Therapy the administration of antibiotic, nutrients, or other therapeutic agents by direct infusion. Note: The limitations on Therapy Services contained in this Therapy Services provision do not apply to any Therapy Services that are received under the Home Health Care provision or to therapy services received under the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities provision. .

  • 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.

  • Rhytidectomy Scar revision, regardless of symptoms. • Sclerotherapy for spider veins. • Skin tag removal. • Subcutaneous injection of filling material. • Suction assisted Lipectomy. • Tattooing or tattoo removal except tattooing of the nipple/areola related to a mastectomy. • Treatment of vitiligo. • Standby services of an assistant surgeon or anesthesiologist. • Orthodontic services related to orthognathic surgery. • Cosmetic procedures when performed primarily: o to refine or reshape body structures or dental structures that are not functionally impaired; o to improve appearance or self-esteem; or o for other psychological, psychiatric or emotional reasons. • Drugs, biological products, hospital charges, pathology, radiology fees and charges for surgeons, assistant surgeons, attending physicians and any other incidental services, which are related to cosmetic surgery.

  • 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. Respiratory Therapy 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.

  • Influenza Vaccination The parties agree that influenza vaccinations may be beneficial for patients and employees. Upon a recommendation pertaining to a facility or a specifically designated area(s) thereof from the Medical Officer of Health or in compliance with applicable provincial legislation, the following rules will apply:

  • MEDICALLY FRAGILE STUDENTS 1. If a teacher will be providing instructional or other services to a medically fragile student, the teacher or another adult who will be present when the instruction or other services are being provided will be advised of the steps to be taken in the event an emergency arises relating to the student's medical condition.

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