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Yesterday, a friend who lives in the Bay Area told me that I should ask people about peptide “stacks.” Peptide “stacking” is where someone takes multiple peptides, presumably for greater health benefits.
So, uh…do you take peptides? what is your stack? Or is this just a Bay Area bonanza?
A victory for peptide supporters
An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration recommended yesterday that compounding pharmacies be allowed to make four peptides that are very popular but little-researched drugs that people take to improve their health.
It is unusual for the FDA to go against the recommendations of a Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, but the vote reflected tensions between FDA staff and the committee. Critics say the panel was “overlaid” by Mr Kennedy, who describes himself as a peptide user, with those who stand to benefit from broader access to peptides. The commission is scheduled to vote on additional compounds on Friday.
Who voted to approve them? STAT’s Sarah Todd and Lizzie Lawrence read.
Sorry to inform you…
…There is also an outbreak of Cyclospora.
Federal health officials are investigating a new outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasite. We don’t know where or which products are linked, but we announced 72 new cases.
The United States is already facing the largest outbreak of Cyclospora in recorded history. On Tuesday, the CDC announced that it had received reports of 4,173 confirmed cases and that thousands more cases were yet to be processed. Officials said they are focusing on lettuce at Taylor Farms as the source of this separate outbreak in multiple states. The company recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico.
Everyone, wash your fruits and vegetables. read more.
Senate Health Committee delays vote on CDC director nominee
The search for the next CDC director drags on after a Senate committee postponed a vote on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Erika Schwartz until next week.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), chairman of the health committee, said Republicans have enough votes to remove Schwartz, the former deputy public health secretary, from the committee, where they have a one-vote advantage. However, Schwartz’s vote was postponed because too few senators were present.
It has been 331 days since Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC Director Susan Monales and the agency had a full-time director. last summer. STAT’s Chelsea Siluzzo has the scoop.
A new golden age of science?
Science advocates have spent 18 months accusing the Trump administration of tearing to shreds the existing social contract between academic researchers and the federal government, a relationship that has made the United States the world’s most powerful engine of discovery. Now, the government is proposing to renew that relationship.
Michael Kratsios, President Trump’s science advisor, is not a scientist, but he released a report that hopes for a “new golden age.” We are seeking new funding mechanisms, embracing the ethos of funding people rather than projects, and pushing the image of innovation centered around industry rather than academia.
STAT’s Anil Oza explains the report and what critics are saying about the document. Who called this report “outrageous”? Read the story.
Autism advisory committee clashes over priorities
Two similarly named groups have spent months sniping at each other in public as they vie for sole authority over autism spectrum disorder research and funding.
Last week, the federally appointed body Interagency collaboration Autism Coordinating Committee — released a 336-page thick strategic plan that the public had four days to review and comment on. In response, several autism advocacy groups called for the comment period to be extended to 90 days. The committee’s report will ultimately be submitted to President Kennedy and Congress to help coordinate nearly $2 billion in federal funding for autism research and training programs.The committees were scheduled to meet July 31 to vote on the plan’s recommendations, then adjourn their meeting later Thursday.
The plan devotes most of its pages to potential environmental factors in autism, even though most causes of autism are genetic, and also discusses strategies to help people with severe autism.
What is severe autism? Depending on who you ask, this is generally considered to be an autistic person who requires a high level of support. However, the federal agency’s definition of this population differs from previous definitions; independent The Autism Coordinating Committee spent much of yesterday’s meeting discussing the definition of autism and plans to support people with autism. In the words of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.N.Y.), girls are fighting.
Which definition will win? Stay tuned for the final meeting of the federal group. But, as one member of the independent committee said yesterday, “I think as a committee we are quite under-resourced.”
Where the hell is my insulin pen?
Diabetics are feeling the pinch as they face supply issues with Sanofi’s long-acting insulin pens.
The Lantus Solostar Pen, which contains 3 milliliters of insulin glargine, has been in short supply for several weeks, but the Food and Drug Administration does not technically consider the issue a shortage. Despite this, major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are running out of stock and patients are having a hard time getting their medications.
Pharmacists are rushing to manage prescriptions within the scope of patients’ insurance and medical conditions. Read more about the shortage from STAT’s Isabella Cueto.
what we are reading
- fatal reaction, science
- Senate advances MAHA-friendly bill on food warning labels and junk food advertising ban, STAT
- Sex work or starvation: Nepali aid workers who lost their jobs to USAID cuts rely on sex work to survive, Associated Press
- President Trump’s DEI crackdown stalls public health improvements, KFF Health News
- European regulators take steps to strengthen transparency in clinical trials, STAT
- Opinion: U.S. drug supply chain problems aren’t China’s problems, STAT
