Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Anthropic Launches Claude Science To Begin Developing Drugs Using AI
Stat: Anthropic, AI Powerhouse, Announces It Will Begin Developing Drugs Of Its Own
AI giant Anthropic has already become a dominant player in technology and a household name for everyday users of artificial intelligence. Can it make drugs too? (Trang, 6/30)
Stat: Anthropic Releases Claude Science, Sees Claude Code Level Impact
Anthropic, the artificial intelligence firm, on Tuesday announced the availability of Claude Science, an application that optimizes the company’s large language model for use in scientific laboratories and, especially, within the research operations of pharmaceutical companies. (Herper and Trang, 6/30)
In other pharma and tech news —
NBC News: What To Know As Medicare GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Program Slashes Costs For Wegovy, Zepbound And More
Starting Wednesday, people on Medicare will be able to get weight loss drugs, including Wegovy and Zepbound, for $50 a month. But patients hoping for quick or permanent access to the drugs may be disappointed. (Lovelace Jr., 6/30)
The Hill: Nearly 1M Bottles Of Corlanor, Used To Treat Heart Failure, Recalled Over Foreign Substance Concerns
A nationwide recall has been issued for a medication used to reduce the risk of hospitalization in patients with heart failure. Nearly 1 million bottles of Corlanor, known generically as ivabradine, are being recalled because they may contain a foreign substance, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall alert. Corlanor is prescribed for adults with chronic heart failure to lower the risk of hospitalization due to worsening conditions. It is also used to treat children aged 6 months and older with stable heart failure symptoms caused by an enlarged heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Euzarraga, 6/30)
In health industry news —
Modern Healthcare: American Hospital Association Taps Steve Walsh As Next CEO
The American Hospital Association selected Steve Walsh of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association as its next president and CEO. Starting this fall, Walsh will lead one of the biggest lobbying spenders in healthcare after serving as Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association president and CEO since 2017. The organization did not specify Walsh’s start date. He will succeed Rick Pollack, who announced his retirement plans last year. (Kacik, 6/30)
Becker's Hospital Review: 130-Bed Louisiana Hospital Could Lose Medicare Funding
Northern Louisiana Medical Center, a 130-bed hospital in Ruston, La., could lose its Medicare participation status Aug. 30 if it fails to address deficiencies reported by hospital surveyors. A June 1 survey cited 24 deficiencies, according to a CMS report published June 15 and accessed by CBS and ABC affiliate KNOE. The same day, the Louisiana Department of Health penned a letter to the hospital, saying it is out of compliance with three conditions of participation for Medicare: governing body, patient rights and nursing services. (Twenter, 6/30)
