Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fighting 'Superbugs' Could Require Multibillion-Dollar Investment
The Wall Street Journal: Multibillion-Dollar Investment Needed To Fight Drug-Resistant ‘Superbugs’
A multibillion-dollar investment into the global pharmaceuticals industry is needed to ward off the threat of drug-resistant “superbugs,” according to Jim O’Neill, the economist leading a review into antimicrobial resistance for the U.K. government. Mr. O’Neill, best known for coining the “BRIC” acronym for Brazil, Russia, India and China while at Goldman Sachs, estimated that as much as $37 billion is needed over the next 10 years to spur the industry to develop innovative antibiotics, since there is little market incentive to do so. (Roland, 5/13)
Los Angeles Times: Hospitals Step Up Search For Best Scope-Cleaning Protocol
Three months after deadly superbug outbreaks sparked alarm nationwide, U.S. hospitals are still searching for how best to clean a controversial medical scope and keep patients safe. Federal regulators have declined to pull the difficult-to-clean duodenoscopes off the market, and there's no indication that manufacturers can quickly redesign the reusable devices, which are employed in nearly 700,000 procedures annually. (Terhune and Petersen, 5/14)
Meanwhile, on another public health policy issue -
McClatchy: Breast Cancer Proposal Could Leave 17 Million Without Mammogram Coverage
A new report estimates that 17 million women ages 40 to 49 could lose free annual mammogram coverage if an influential medical panel adopts its proposed breast cancer screening guidelines. The new figures from consulting firm Avalere Health are the latest development in a growing medical and political controversy that was resurrected last month after Congress quashed it in 2010. (Pugh, 5/13)
