Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: Vaccine Inequality Still A Global Problem
New England Journal of Medicine: Addressing Vaccine Inequity — Covid-19 Vaccines As A Global Public Good
The first peer-reviewed clinical trial evidence that a Covid-19 vaccine provided robust protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection was published in the Journal in December 2020,1 less than a year after the sequence of the viral genome was reported. This unprecedentedly rapid development of vaccines was a scientific triumph. In the year since, about 62% of the world’s population has received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and 54% have completed the primary vaccine series. This would appear to be a landmark success in global health mobilization. (David J. Hunter , et al, 2/23)
The New York Times: Were These Doctors Treating Pain Or Dealing Drugs?
For years, Dr. Xiulu Ruan was one of the nation’s top prescribers of quick-release fentanyl drugs. The medicines were approved only for severe breakthrough pain in cancer patients, but Dr. Ruan dispensed them almost exclusively for more common ailments: neck aches, back and joint pain. According to the Department of Justice, he and his partner wrote almost 300,000 prescriptions for controlled substances from 2011 to 2015, filled through the doctors’ own pharmacy in Mobile, Ala. Dr. Ruan often signed prescriptions without seeing patients, prosecutors said. (Jan Hoffman, 2/28)
Daily Iowan: The Doctor Is In: Avoiding ADHD Substance Abuse
Stimulant medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin are effective treatment options for ADHD and other hyperactivity disorders. However, an increasing number of college students are misusing these medications. It is important for students and parents to understand what the potential risks are when using these medications, what role stimulants play in treatment, and what can help students stay sharp and focused during their studies. (John Voller, 2/27)
ACP Internist Weekly: Recommendations On Avoiding Drug-Drug Interactions, Data On Recovery After Ventilation
Advice on avoiding drug-drug interactions (DDIs) when prescribing nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for patients with COVID-19 was provided by an Ideas and Opinions article published by Annals of Internal Medicine on March 1. (3/1)
