The Rx Recap: November 30-December 5

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.

Pharmacists Employ Strategies for the Management of Chronic Diseases

Recent research covered by Drug Topics highlights the expanding role of pharmacists in chronic disease management through strategies like medication therapy management (MTM), collaborative practice agreements (CPAs), and community partnerships. These approaches allow pharmacists to go beyond dispensing medications by optimizing therapy, identifying early warning signs, providing preventive care, and addressing lifestyle and social barriers. Evidence from studies such as the Asheville Project shows that pharmacist-led interventions improve outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and generate cost savings. Experts emphasize that integrating pharmacists into care teams with access to electronic medical records and appropriate reimbursement can maximize their impact, shifting the focus from the product to the pharmacist as a trusted health care partner.

FDA Approves Cochlear Implants for Babies as Young as 7 Months

The FDA has approved MED-EL cochlear implants for infants as young as 7 months with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, making it the first cochlear implant system in the US cleared for this age group, according to The Educated Patient. This earlier intervention allows children to access sound during a critical window for brain and language development, supporting improved speech, language, reading, and overall communication outcomes. In a clinical study of 123 children aged 7–71 months, 110 (81–88%) achieved meaningful hearing improvements within the first year, with low rates of known surgical complications. The FDA also expanded MED-EL’s use for children 12 months and older, giving the company the broadest pediatric indications, and a postapproval study will track long-term outcomes.

FDA Grants Clearance to Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System for Urologic Procedures

The FDA cleared the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system for minimally invasive urologic procedures, including prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and cystectomy, Medtronic announced via Urology Times. The system’s safety and efficacy were demonstrated in the Expand URO IDE study, which enrolled 137 patients and showed a 98.5% surgical success rate, exceeding the 85% performance goal, with low rates of grade 3 or higher Clavien-Dindo complications across all procedures. Two deaths occurred but were deemed unrelated to the device. Medtronic plans to expand Hugo RAS indications in the US to include general and gynecologic surgery, emphasizing increased hospital choice and patient access, as well as support for surgical teams throughout their robotic-assisted surgery programs.

7 Aesthetic Innovations Dermatologists Are Most Excited About for 2026

At the 2025 ASDS meeting in Chicago, dermatologists highlighted emerging trends in aesthetic care for 2026, as reported by NewBeauty. Key themes include next-generation resurfacing technologies like Acclero and UltraClear laser coring that remodel collagen with greater depth and precision, devices versatile enough to treat all skin types, and AI-assisted systems such as the AVAVA laser that improve treatment accuracy. Advances in imaging and skin-quality assessment are enabling more objective, data-driven evaluations, while the field increasingly emphasizes undetectable, ultra-natural results over overt filler use. Additionally, regenerative and longevity-focused care is gaining traction, with experts noting potential integration of systemic anti-aging approaches, cellular senescence reversal, and genetic testing to personalize treatments and expand the scope of preventive dermatology.

FDA Conditionally Approves Topical Drug for Cattle to Prevent and Treat New World Screwworm

The FDA has conditionally approved fluralaner topical solution (Exzolt Cattle-CA1; Intervet Inc.) for preventing and treating New World Screwworm (NWS) larval infestations, as well as controlling cattle fever tick in beef cattle over 2 months and replacement dairy heifers under 20 months, according to dvm360. Conditional approval reflects the drug’s safety and reasonable expectation of effectiveness, with up to 5 years granted to generate additional data for full approval. The single-use topical solution is applied along the cattle’s back and is prescription-only, with a 98-day slaughter withdrawal period. This approval provides producers a new tool against serious cattle parasites, including the already present cattle fever tick, while recent FDA emergency authorizations for lotilaner in dogs and cats highlight growing options for NWS management in multiple species.

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