Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: With Alzheimer's Drug, Let's Look Closer At Brain Shrinkage
Eisai’s announcement that lecanemab, its antibody drug for Alzheimer’s disease that targets the buildup of amyloid protein in the brain, modestly slowed cognitive decline in a Phase 3 trial offers hope to people with Alzheimer’s disease. But what I’ll be looking for in the final data — which have not yet been presented or published — is whether the brain shrinkage seen in the Phase 2 trial remains. (Madhav Thambisetty, 11/28)
In a first, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a therapy that slows the onset of Type 1 diabetes. Teplizumab, developed by Provention Bio, typically delays the need for insulin shots, blood-sugar monitoring, and diet control by about two years. (Lisa Jarvis, 11/28)
Today alone, around 220 Americans will die of an opioid-related overdose. Here in Illinois, we lost 3,013 people just last year to a fatal opioid overdose. Yet, opioids still remain the primary option for patients who are managing pain after outpatient surgery. (Sterling Elliott, 11/29)
There have been many attempts to combat the opioid epidemic in the United States: zero tolerance drug policies; rehabilitation; and medication-assisted treatment. (Marilyn Brach, 11/29)
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act is responsible for enhancing medical accountability and transparency while advancing biopharmaceutical innovation. (Eddie Pauline, 11/30)
This fall, the spread of RSV in children and related bacterial infections prompted a run on pharmacies for the antibiotic amoxicillin. Far-flung supply chains, still backed up from the initial shock of COVID-19, have been unable to compensate for the surge in demand. (Marco Rubio, 11/28)