A fresh competitor to the CDC’s MMWR emerges
The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, commonly known as “the voice of the CDC,” has long been a cornerstone of public health, serving as the primary source for information on new outbreaks and emerging diseases. However, with ongoing changes within the agency, two institutions are gearing up to introduce an alternative publication. Former MMWR editor-in-chief Charlotte Kent, who departed the agency in February, previously revealed that administration officials were exerting pressure on the journal to alter its information reporting methods.
Now, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy are set to launch “public health alerts” on an as-needed basis through a new section in the journal NEJM Evidence. For more insights on how this new journal will operate, delve into the details shared by STAT’s Anil Oza.
Comparative analysis of antidepressant side effects
Antidepressants can elicit a variety of side effects, with the specific outcomes varying depending on the type of medication being used, especially in terms of cardiometabolic factors. A recent systematic review, published in The Lancet, analyzed 151 randomized controlled trials and 17 FDA reports encompassing over 30 medications for various mental health conditions.
For instance, drugs like maprotiline and amitriptyline were associated with weight gain in nearly half of the individuals who took them, while agomelatine was linked to weight loss in over half of the cases. The average weight difference between those taking agomelatine and maprotiline was approximately 4 kilograms (almost 9 lbs). Additionally, certain medications such as nortriptyline, clomipramine, and imipramine tended to increase heart rate compared to a placebo, while fluvoxamine and moclobemide reduced heart rate.
It’s worth noting that these findings are based on short-term studies, with an average duration of eight weeks, highlighting a significant gap in long-term research on the effects of antidepressants. If you have expertise or personal experiences in this realm, we’d love to hear from you.
Innovative DTC model blends lower insurance and discount prices
Two emerging startups are introducing a novel approach for employers to assist their employees in accessing medications at reduced prices without relying on insurance coverage. By subsidizing a portion of the direct-to-consumer cash price for drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, employers can pay less than they would through insurance coverage, enabling their employees to obtain treatments at a more affordable rate compared to the full price they would pay independently.
This new model is a testament to the growing trend of direct-to-consumer drug sales, with companies like Lilly and Novo leading the way by offering obesity drugs at cash prices below list prices. With other drug manufacturers now following suit in response to calls for broader drug price reductions, the landscape of drug sales is evolving. For a deeper dive into this innovative DTC model and its implications for the future of drug sales, explore STAT’s Elaine Chen’s comprehensive coverage.
$27,000
The cost of a family plan under employer-provided health insurance this year surged, surpassing the rate of inflation by more than double, as per a recent KFF survey. Drew Altman, CEO of KFF, expressed concern over the significant premium increases and predicted a sharper rise in employer premiums next year due to various factors such as GLP-1s, hospital price hikes, tariffs, and more. Delve into the detailed analysis provided by STAT’s Tara Bannow for further insights.
Is the U.S. healthcare system a failed experiment?
The escalating costs of healthcare, as evidenced by the aforementioned data and likely reflected in personal bills, have sparked debates around the efficacy of the U.S. healthcare system. In a thought-provoking First Opinion essay, four physicians challenge conventional explanations attributing rising costs to factors like an aging population, increasing chronic illness rates, and new drug introductions. Instead, they point to profit-driven motives, bureaucratic complexities, and a healthcare framework that prioritizes financial gains over patient well-being.
The authors argue that despite claims that market-based strategies would drive cost efficiencies through competition, the reality has been quite the opposite, with healthcare competition diminishing. Explore their perspective on why it may be time to pivot away from the current healthcare experiment and consider the alternative solutions they advocate for.
Recommended Reads
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Ending polio remains achievable despite a 30% funding cut, health officials affirm – Reuters
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Insights into Kennedy’s long COVID consortium remain scarce a month on – The Sick Times
- Government shutdown leads to CDC experts missing crucial infectious disease meeting – AP
- Big food industry devises new strategy to counter RFK Jr.’s influence in states – Bloomberg
- First Opinion: Corporate backing cannot offset threats to the NIH budget – STAT
