The Rx Recap: March 8-13

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.

New Test Predicts Breast Cancer Recurrence and Radiation Therapy Benefit

A study reported by CURE found that the Aida test may help predict 10-year recurrence risk and the benefit of radiation therapy in patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery. In a retrospective analysis of 922 patients with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative disease followed for a median of 10 years, higher Decision Scores were linked to greater recurrence risk, while the Radiation Resistance Index helped predict whether tumors would respond to radiation. The test identified a low-risk group that did not significantly benefit from radiation, suggesting the tool could help clinicians personalize treatment by escalating or de-escalating radiation based on tumor biology rather than clinical features alone.

Global Biosimilar Market Sees Structural Shifts, Regulatory Hurdles, and Pipeline Gains

Reported by The Center For Biosimilars, recent developments highlight both momentum and challenges in the global biosimilars market. Sandoz Group AG announced a major restructuring to create a unified biosimilar development and manufacturing unit, aiming to capitalize on upcoming biologic patent expirations, while Outlook Therapeutics is evaluating regulatory options after an US FDA complete response letter for its ophthalmic bevacizumab candidate for wet age-related macular degeneration. Meanwhile, Celltrion reported strong biosimilar market penetration across Southeast Asia, with products such as Remsima, Herzuma, and Truxima achieving dominant prescription shares in several markets, underscoring the sector’s continued global expansion.

The Hidden Infection Risk Hospitals Keep Missing: Shared Equipment Without Ownership

An article from Infection Control Today highlights a common infection-prevention gap in hospitals: unclear responsibility for cleaning shared mobile equipment. While patient rooms are typically cleaned thoroughly by environmental services, devices such as workstations on wheels, IV pumps, wheelchairs, and vital-sign machines frequently move between patients without clearly assigned ownership for disinfection. This lack of defined responsibility can allow pathogens to spread, as research and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that noncritical medical equipment requires designated cleaning accountability. Experts recommend addressing the issue through clear “who cleans what” responsibility lists, defined cleaning frequency, standardized disinfectants and dwell times, compliance verification, and regular review—emphasizing that clearer ownership and accountability can strengthen infection prevention without adding additional staff.

How the Small Details Shape Euthanasia for Clients and Care Teams

Reported by dvm360, Mary Gardner, DVM, cofounder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, emphasized that while veterinarians cannot always control why euthanasia is chosen, they can control how the experience is handled. By focusing on compassionate details—such as clear communication with families, thoughtful sedation protocols, and keeping pets with owners during procedures—veterinary teams can make euthanasia more peaceful for patients and less traumatic for families. Gardner also noted that carefully managing the process can help protect the emotional wellbeing of veterinary staff who regularly perform these difficult procedures.

Anticipating Care: Proactive Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

An article in Psychiatric Times explores how social determinants of health—such as housing instability, caregiver availability, and cognitive impairment—often delay hospital discharge for older adults even after they are medically ready to leave. The authors highlight the role of proactive consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry, an integrated care model that embeds psychiatric teams earlier in hospital care to address mental health needs and social factors that influence recovery. Research, including the multicenter HOME study, suggests proactive C-L psychiatry can improve outcomes such as discharge rates and length of stay while also supporting clinician wellbeing by reducing burnout and improving interdisciplinary collaboration. The approach, supported by digital tools like electronic health records and data analytics, is presented as a flexible framework for improving patient outcomes, equity, and workforce sustainability in increasingly complex health systems.

Want to read more on specialty care, pharmacy, industry sciences, and more? Check out MJH Life Sciences full list of brands here.