The Rx Recap: November 23-28

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.

Nationwide Decline in Rural Family Physicians Raises New Concerns

New research covered in Medical Economics published in Annals of Family Medicine reveals an alarming 11% decline in the rural family physician workforce between 2017 and 2023, underscoring growing threats to primary care access in already underserved communities. The losses—sharpest in the Northeast and widespread across most regions—come despite expansions in medical schools and residency positions, highlighting deep structural challenges in recruiting and retaining rural clinicians. With training pipelines uncertain and burnout pressures mounting, experts say targeted, region-specific strategies and stronger support for physicians, especially women and those with young families, will be essential to reversing the trend.

FDA Approves Durvalumab Plus FLOT in Resectable Gastric/GEJ Cancers

Reported in Cancer Network, the FDA has approved durvalumab (Imfinzi) in combination with FLOT chemotherapy as both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy—followed by durvalumab maintenance—for patients with resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, marking a major advancement in the curative-intent setting. The decision, supported by phase 3 MATTERHORN data, shows that adding durvalumab significantly improves overall survival and offers consistent benefit across key clinical subgroups, solidifying the regimen as a new standard of care regardless of PD-L1 expression. While safety remains in line with expectations for checkpoint inhibitors and intensive chemotherapy, the approval introduces an important immunotherapy option earlier in the treatment pathway for these high-risk tumors.

FDA Clears Investigational New Drug Application for TNX-102 SL for Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Tonix Pharmaceuticals has received FDA clearance for an Investigational New Drug application to study TNX-102 SL— a sublingual formulation of cyclobenzaprine— as a potential first-line monotherapy for major depressive disorder, as reported by Psychiatric Times. The approval paves the way for the phase 2 HORIZON trial, a 6-week, placebo-controlled study evaluating whether the drug’s sleep-targeted mechanism can translate into meaningful improvement on depressive symptoms. With prior signals of antidepressant benefit in fibromyalgia and PTSD studies and a generally favorable tolerability profile, TNX-102 SL represents a novel, sleep-focused approach that could expand treatment options for adults with MDD.

FDA Approves First Gene Replacement Therapy (Itvisma) for Patients 2 Years and Older With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

The FDA has approved Itvisma, an intrathecal formulation of onasemnogene abeparvovec, as the first gene-replacement therapy for children ages 2 and older, adolescents, and adults with spinal muscular atrophy, offering a one-time fixed dose that avoids ongoing treatment. Backed by phase 3 STEER data showing significant motor-function improvements and sustained benefit through 52 weeks, Contemporary Pediatrics noted that the therapy expands gene therapy access to a broader SMA population long underserved by existing options. With additional supportive results from the STRENGTH study and strong stakeholder enthusiasm, Itvisma is positioned to meaningfully reduce treatment burden and enhance daily functioning for older patients when it becomes available in December.

New Research on THC and CBD for Various Conditions: November’s Healer Webinar

The November Healer webinar, led by Dustin Sulak, DO, highlighted emerging evidence on cannabis and cannabinoids across multiple conditions, including long-term inhaled THC for painful diabetic neuropathy and chronic low back pain, as well as high-dose CBD as a potential protective agent against opioid-induced persistent apnea. Across the reviewed studies—ranging from 5- to 10-year observational cohorts to new preclinical work—findings suggested durable pain reduction, lower opioid reliance, improved quality of life, and, in animal models, CBD’s naloxone-like ability to prevent fentanyl-related respiratory suppression. While most data remain early or uncontrolled, Cannabis Science and Technology stated Sulak emphasized their implications for personalized dosing, harm reduction, and future cannabis-based adjuncts in pain and opioid safety.

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