Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Doctors' Group Recommends 2 More Vaccines During Pregnancy Than CDC
Stat: OB-GYN Group Issues Vaccine Recommendations, Deviating From CDC
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has released a recommended vaccine schedule for pregnant people, one that diverges from the advice currently offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Branswell, 6/10)
MedPage Today: Shingles Vaccine Might Be Less Effective In Systemic Sclerosis Patients
Brazilian patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) had a lower immune response to the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix) compared with healthy controls in a randomized trial, casting doubt on the vaccine's long-term effectiveness in this population. (Gever, 6/10)
Regarding weight loss drugs —
MedPage Today: FDA Issues Safety Alert On Weight-Loss Drug's Kidney Risks
The FDA issued a drug safety communication approving a label change that warns about the risk of kidney stones or kidney injury with the over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss drug orlistat (Alli), the agency said Wednesday. The label now recommends that consumers with a history of kidney disease or kidney stones consult a healthcare provider before using the drug. (Monaco, 6/10)
The Washington Post: Companies Are Racing To Improve Your GLP-1 Experience
The enormous popularity of new weight-loss drugs often eclipses the downsides: the burden of weekly injections, rough gastrointestinal side effects, muscle and bone loss. That is shaping a race among drug manufacturers vying to roll out better options. Eli Lilly, which makes Zepbound and Mounjaro, and Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic and Wegovy, have the vast market for branded drugs to themselves and are steadily reaping billions of dollars. But pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim and Amgen are among competitors planning to bring improved drugs to the market. (Rowland, 6/10)
Bloomberg: Weight-Loss Drugs Cut UK Food Bills By £780 Million, Study Shows
Rapidly expanding use of weight-loss medicines in the UK has wiped about £780 million ($1 billion) off annual grocery spending, according to research by a consumer data group. Households with at least one user of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs bought 299 million fewer food items in the year after adoption of the medication, with users reporting a dwindling number of cravings and cutting back on treats like chocolate and potato chips, the study from Worldpanel by Numerator published Wednesday showed. (Linsell, 6/10)
Also —
CNN: You May Not Read Your Prescription Labels Correctly. What To Know
Take twice daily. Does that mean two pills in one sitting? Can you take once at breakfast and once at lunch? Should they be taken with food at all? Can you take them at the same time as your other medications? (Holcombe, 6/10)
