Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Counterfeit HIV Drugs Circulating In US, Including In Pharmacies
FiercePharma: Gilead Cracks Down On Fake Versions Of Popular HIV Drugs Biktarvy, Descovy Being Sold At US Pharmacies
Counterfeit versions of two of Gilead Sciences’ most popular HIV drugs are circulating in the U.S., threatening the health of people taking them. Gilead’s original Biktarvy and Descovy have been replaced by fake versions at some pharmacies, Gilead warned Thursday. Unauthorized distributors were able to sell fake drugs to retailers; and then, “genuine Gilead bottles” were filled with fake tablets, the company said. Gilead has alerted potentially impacted pharmacies and is working with the FDA, pharmacies and legal authorities to remove problematic pills from circulation and to prevent future distribution, the company added. (Liu, 8/6)
In other pharmaceutical and biotech developments —
Axios: Smart Thermometer Company Kinsa Develops Disease Prediction Data Hub
Kinsa, a startup that makes and distributes internet-connected smart thermometers, is developing a data hub that can provide highly specific forecasts about infectious disease outbreaks, Axios has learned. Days matter when it comes to heading off a new outbreak or surge, and better forecasting models can help policymakers act to stop disease disasters before they're out of control. (Walsh, 8/7)
North Carolina Health News: Vaccine Strife In Bill To Boost HIV Med, Birth Control
A bill that would make post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), birth control and testosterone more easily available is on its way to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk — but while some advocates celebrate the bill’s passage, opponents argue against controversial vaccine language added to the bill. The bill came into controversy after Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) added a provision requiring young people to get parental permission before receiving the vaccines that have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, such as the COVID-19 vaccine. (Thompson, 8/9)
CIDRAP: Declining Susceptibility To Azithromycin Found In German Gonorrhea Samples
Analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoea samples from diagnostic laboratories throughout Germany shows a significant decrease in susceptibility to azithromycin, one of the two remaining antibiotics recommended for gonorrhea infections, German researchers reported yesterday in Eurosurveillance. (8/6)
Boston Globe: Adagio Raises $300 Million In IPO, Looks To Advance Covid-19 Therapy
Adagio Therapeutics, a Waltham startup advancing COVID-19 antibody treatments, is going public Friday just over one year after it was founded. The company raised nearly $310 million by selling 18,200,000 shares for $17 each, in the middle of its expected range, and it will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ADGI. At the IPO price, the firm was valued at $1.84 billion. (Gardizy, 8/6)
KHN: Injuries Mount As Sales Reps For Device Makers Cozy Up To Surgeons, Even In Operating Rooms
Cristina Martinez’s spinal operation in Houston was expected to be routine. But after destabilizing her spine, the surgeon discovered the implant he was ready to put in her back was larger than he wanted to use — and the device company’s sales rep didn’t have a smaller size on hand, according to a report he filed about the operation. Dr. Ra’Kerry Rahman went ahead with the operation, and Martinez awoke feeling pain and some numbness, she alleges. When Rahman removed the plastic device four days later and replaced it with a smaller one, Martinez suffered nerve damage and loss of feeling in her left leg, she claims. Martinez is suing the surgeon, implant maker Life Spine Inc., and its distributor and sales representatives, alleging their negligence led to her injuries because the right part wasn’t available during her first surgery. All deny wrongdoing. The case is set for trial in November. (Schulte, 8/9)
