Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GLP-1s May Be Linked To Rare Brain Disorder Caused By B1 Deficiency
Fox News: Ozempic And Wegovy May Cause Rare Brain Disorder, New Study Warns
Researchers are warning about a rare but potentially life-threatening brain condition that may be linked to popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications. A new study, published in Clinical Nutrition, identified 15 reported cases of Wernicke encephalopathy, a neurological disorder caused by severe vitamin B1 deficiency, in people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists. Most of the reported cases involved semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, or tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound. (McGreal, 9/13)
The Hill: Weight Regain After GLP-1 Use Tied To Higher Rates Of Suicidal Thoughts, Study Shows
People who used prescription weight loss medication and later regained the weight reported suicidal thoughts at more than four times the rate of people who never took the drugs, a new study found. Researchers led by Dr. Son Ki-young, a family medicine professor at Asan Medical Center, analyzed data from 27,741 adults — 10,908 men and 16,833 women — who took part in a national health survey between 2013 and 2022. (Menezes, 9/11)
In other pharmaceutical industry news —
Stat: Scholar Rock Therapy Drug To Treat SMA Wins Approval By FDA
Scholar Rock on Friday received Food and Drug Administration approval for the first-ever therapy that targets the loss of muscle in spinal muscle atrophy, raising hopes that patients with the rare neurological disorder might have a better chance of moving and walking independently. (Wosen, 9/11)
Stat: Breast Cancer Pill From AstraZeneca Misses Mark In Pivotal Study
AstraZeneca said Friday that a breast cancer pill failed in a pivotal trial testing it as a first-line therapy in advanced tumors, a result that could limit the use of the medicine. (Joseph, 9/12)
AP: Alzheimer's Blood Tests Are Emerging But If You Don't Have Symptoms, Just Focus On Your Health
New blood tests that might predict Alzheimer’s years before symptoms begin may sound tantalizing for people who worry about later-in-life dementia. But doctors say they aren’t quite ready yet — and besides, you don’t need a test before trying to lower your risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared four blood tests to help doctors diagnose whether Alzheimer’s — not another kind of dementia or something else — is behind someone’s memory problems or other cognitive symptoms. (Neergaard, 9/12)
Also —
Modern Healthcare: Johnson & Johnson Demands 340B Claims Data From Providers
Johnson & Johnson will require claims-level data from 340B Drug Pricing Program participants starting next Tuesday, the drugmaker announced in a notice to providers. Safety-net providers that qualify for 340B, which offers price reductions up to 50%, must submit these data to receive upfront discounts, Johnson & Johnson wrote in a memo dated Sept. 4. Noncompliance will risk providers’ access to lower costs for the company’s medicines. HIV/AIDS programs are exempt. (Early, 9/11)
Stat: Novo Nordisk Rebrands As 'Novo,' Part Of A Culture Shift
It’ll be the company formerly known as Novo Nordisk. The Danish firm, whose diabetes and obesity drugs have become household names, said Monday it would embrace “Novo” as its new brand, part of a culture shifts that aims to signal the company will “move ahead with greater focus, speed, and impact.” (Joseph, 9/14)
