The Rx Recap: March 29-April 3

Welcome to this week’s roundup of the most insightful and impactful articles from the sister publications of Dermatology Times, all under One MJH Life Sciences. Our network brings together expert perspectives, clinical advancements, and industry updates to keep clinicians informed and ahead of the curve. From cutting-edge treatments to practice management strategies, here’s a look at the top stories shaping the field of medicine.

FDA Grants Full Approval to Brexucabtagene Autoleucel for Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

As reported by Oncology Nursing News, the FDA has granted full approval to brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) for adults with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), based on confirmatory data from the ZUMA-2 trial. The therapy demonstrated high response rates across heavily pretreated populations, with objective response rates up to 91% and durable remissions not yet reached at follow-up. While efficacy is strong, treatment is associated with significant risks, including cytokine release syndrome and neurological toxicities, requiring close monitoring and management. Overall, the approval solidifies brexu-cel as an important second-line option with potential for long-term remission.

Access Is Not Enough: Designing Community Pharmacy for Health Equity

As reported by Drug Topics, community pharmacies have the potential to reduce health disparities in the US due to their widespread accessibility, but access alone is not enough. Effective impact depends on intentional workflow design, including medication synchronization, follow-up, and coordination with providers to address social determinants of health. Examples such as opioid use disorder treatment and HIV PrEP highlight how gaps persist when care is not structured around patient needs. While pharmacies can help close these gaps, sustained progress requires better alignment in reimbursement models, workforce support, and system-wide investment to turn access into meaningful, equitable care.

New Stroke Guidelines Highlight Expanding Role of Pediatric Stroke Care

As reported by NeurologyLive, updated guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association emphasize standardized, evidence-based care for acute ischemic stroke, including new considerations for pediatric patients. Experts highlighted the need for improved stroke recognition in children, who are often underdiagnosed, and greater collaboration between pediatric and adult stroke centers due to a shortage of pediatric stroke specialists. The discussion also underscored the importance of appropriate imaging—favoring MRI/MRA to distinguish stroke from mimics—and the potential role of advanced interventions like thrombectomy in select pediatric cases. Overall, increased awareness, multidisciplinary coordination, and expanded access to expertise are key to improving outcomes in pediatric stroke.

GlyphAgo for Treatment of Anxiety Shows Positive Phase 1 Topline Results

As reported by Psychiatric Times, GlyphAgo, a modified version of agomelatine, demonstrated promising phase 1 results for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The drug achieved higher bioavailability at lower doses, reducing liver exposure and potentially eliminating the need for routine liver monitoring—a key limitation of traditional agomelatine. In head-to-head comparisons, GlyphAgo showed significantly increased systemic exposure and lower variability without liver-related adverse events. Designed to bypass first-pass metabolism via lymphatic absorption, the therapy may offer improved efficacy and tolerability. Based on these findings, the developer plans to advance GlyphAgo into phase 2 trials to further evaluate its clinical potential.

New Data Ranks Oral Obesity Drugs on Weight Loss Performance

As reported by Pharmacy Technology, an indirect comparison of phase 3 data suggests that semaglutide may offer greater weight loss efficacy and better tolerability than orforglipron. Drawing from separate trials, semaglutide showed a modest but statistically significant advantage in weight reduction, while orforglipron was associated with higher discontinuation rates, particularly due to gastrointestinal side effects. Patient preference data also favored semaglutide, with most respondents indicating its dosing requirements would not disrupt daily life. Although not a head-to-head study, the findings highlight how differences in efficacy, tolerability, and adherence may shape real-world use and market uptake of oral GLP-1 therapies.

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