Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: What's Causing So Many Drug Shortages?; Smart-Bomb Cancer Drugs Prove Effective
The New York Times: Why We’re Stuck In A Constant Cycle Of Drug Shortages
There’s been a bombardment of bad news for drug supplies. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists found this summer that nearly all of the members it surveyed were experiencing drug shortages, which generally affect half a million Americans. (Emily Tucker, 12/6)
Bloomberg: Targeted Cancer Drugs Finally Live Up To The Hype
Cancer drugs that work like heat-seeking missiles to deliver chemicals directly to tumors are having a bit of a moment. Pharmaceutical companies, in need of assets to counter flagging sales, are making these so-called antibody-drug conjugates the technology of choice in oncology dealmaking, as illustrated by last week’s $10.1 billion acquisition of ImmunoGen Inc. by AbbVie Inc. (Lisa Jarvis, 12/5)
Chicago Tribune: With Ozempic, Obesity Is A Treatable Condition
Ozempic and other weight loss drugs are a new vista for the treatment of obesity. However, there is still much to learn. (Cory Franklin and Robert Weinstein, 12/3)
Chicago Tribune: Is The Overdose-Reversing Drug Narcan The New CPR?
I keep reading horrifying stories of tragedy and loss at the hands of fentanyl. It happened again. “CSI Miami” actor Evan Ellingson died of an accidental overdose in early November. It’s the second time his family had to bury a child after an opioid tragedy. I’m left to think that overdose-reversing nasal spray Narcan is the new CPR — giving America the power to save lives. (Sterling Elliott, 12/6)
Los Angeles Times: Is One $6-Billion Payout Enough Punishment For The Family That Brought Us The Opioid Crisis?
On Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the complex bankruptcy case of Purdue Pharma, whose owners, the Sackler family, have become synonymous with the carnage wreaked on American families by the profligate and dishonest marketing and distribution of OxyContin and other opioids. (Robin Abcarian, 12/6)
