The recent government shutdown has led to the furlough of 32,460 federal health workers, impacting CDC communications and patient admissions at the NIH clinical center. The shutdown occurred after the Senate failed to pass a temporary spending package due to disagreements over Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funds.
In other news, President Trump announced a groundbreaking deal with Pfizer, where the company will offer lower prices on drugs to the Medicaid program and direct-to-consumer sales. This agreement aims to provide affordable prescription medicines to Americans, although experts are cautious about the details and implementation of the deal.
Moreover, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University are working on a new method for human reproduction using DNA from skin cells to create embryos. While progress has been made with mice, the team is facing challenges with adapting the technique for human use.
A study published in the Lancet Infectious Disease revealed that children who experienced multiple Covid infections were more likely to develop long Covid. The risk was higher after a second infection, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for children.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced an initiative to increase compliance from retailers selling illegal vape products. The agency is sending educational materials to retailers to ensure they are aware of legal products and regulations.
Lastly, the FDA approved an injectable drug for cattle to prevent and treat New World screwworm infections. This rare infection in humans has raised concerns as an outbreak in Central America approaches the U.S.-Mexico border.
In other news, read about the protein craze and its impact on climate change, a deadly listeria outbreak linked to pasta meals from Trader Joe’s and Walmart, and more updates in the healthcare industry.
