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Executives for Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi as well as those from top PBMs faced questions from senators on the HELP committee Wednesday. All fell back on standard tactics of pointing the finger of responsibility for high insulin drug prices on the other side. Chair Bernie Sanders asked them to pledge to not increase prices further, which most resisted.
Elsewhere: Nevada advances a bill to codify abortion rights into the state constitution; North Carolina's governor tries to stave off an override of his expected veto of a more restrictive abortion ban; and Louisiana lawmakers reject efforts to add rape and incest exceptions to its ban.
Two advisory panels voted unanimously in support of the FDA allowing Opill, a progestin birth control pill produced by HRA Pharma, to be sold in the U.S. without a prescription. An FDA decision, which is not required to follow the advisers' recommendations, is expected this summer.
Things were much different when President Donald Trump first declared a national covid emergency. Just 1,645 Americans were infected with the virus, and Trump warned "it could get worse." Rewind to news coverage from that day:
The New York Times argues "a lot went wrong" during the pandemic, with "chronic" underinvestment in public health exposed at federal, state and local levels. Wired warns that the end of covid data collection could lead to missing new variants. Other other news sources note covid is still killing people daily.
When the clock ticks down on the federal covid public health emergency tonight, a host of programs and policies will expire or start to wind down. News outlets report on the financial and logistical impact for Americans, while public health officials remind people that covid infections and risks are not yet over.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments from the past week in KFF Health News Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
The law, signed by Gov. Jay Inslee Tuesday, is aimed at protecting minors seeking gender-affirming care in Washington from interventions by estranged parents, AP explains. Separately, Kansas City is reportedly considering becoming an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city.
The vaccine is sprayed onto pellets, which are distributed in natural settings for mice to eat, and it targets the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Separately, AP says Minnesota is preparing for a near-total ban on "forever chemicals." Also in the news, a mystery deepens over a mercury spill in the Bay Area.
The group wrote a letter in the BMJ Global Health, which says that for artificial intelligence, "the window of opportunity to avoid serious and potentially existential harms is closing." Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare covers a new company from Northwell Holdings and Aegis Ventures to use AI for diagnosing some diseases.
The Texas Tribune says the bill was left off the Texas House's agenda ahead of a key deadline. Media outlets report that the gunman in the recent Texas tragedy had eight legal weapons; also, firearm fatalities in the state are reaching levels not seen in almost three decades.
Editorial writers focus today on mental health.
White House covid coordinator Ashish Jha told reporters that the next phase of the covid response won't be ready for a neat handoff at the official end of the public health emergency. Separately, President Joe Biden revoked covid vaccine requirements for visitors to the U.S.
Advisers met Tuesday to discuss the pros and cons of selling Opill, a progestin-only birth control pill, without a prescription. Their concerns focused on efficacy from obesity and whether users will follow the instructions. The panel will take a nonbinding vote today.
Though a White House meeting Tuesday night with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders yielded no deal, President Joe Biden said he was confident the U.S. would not default on its debt.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a draft of its updated mammogram guidance that will advise women to get the screening every 2 years starting at age 40. The change from age 50 comes in response to more women being diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The state Senate approved a plan that will allow for up to 12 weeks of partial compensation. Every Republican voted against the bill. Also: changes to Medicaid in Connecticut, nonbinary gender markers on driver's licenses in Indiana, and more.
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