Jun 27 51 percent of opioid prescriptions go to people with depression and mood disorders By Catherine Caruso, STAT People with mood disorders are at increased risk of abusing opioids, and yet they received many more prescriptions than the general population, according to an analysis of data from 2011 and 2013. Continue reading
Jun 25 Two GOP senators wanted $45 billion in health care bill to battle opioid crisis. They got $2 billion By Lev Facher, STAT The health care bill unveiled by Senate Republicans on Thursday includes funding to help tackle the nation’s opioid crisis — but dramatically less than the amount sought by two GOP senators and recovery advocates. Continue reading
Jun 24 Column: Chinese courts call for death penalty for researchers who commit fraud By Ivan Oransky and Adam Marcus, STAT In the past few months, China has announced two new crackdowns on research misconduct — one of which could lead to executions for scientists who doctor their data. Continue reading
Jun 22 Prodigy’s death shines light on slow progress against sickle cell disease By Sharon Begley, STAT The death of the rap artist Prodigy (Albert Johnson) at only 42 this week, after a lifetime of suffering from sickle cell disease, was a reminder of the devastating cost of the sometimes fatal genetic disorder — and of the… Continue reading
Jun 18 At first meeting of Trump’s opioid commission, health advocates plead for Medicaid spending By Lev Facher, STAT Health advocates on Friday used the first meeting of President Trump’s commission on the opioid crisis to criticize a bill that would slash future Medicaid spending and deregulate the health insurance market, arguing that the legislation would undermine whatever progress… Continue reading
Jun 11 FDA wants to yank an opioid painkiller over concerns about abuse By Ed Silverman, STAT The Food and Drug Administration has asked Endo Pharmaceuticals to withdraw its Opana ER painkiller over concerns that the drug is too easily abused, the first time the agency has made such a move. Continue reading
Jun 10 ‘Part of the new reality’: Despite confusion, Zika warnings are here to stay By Helen Branswell, STAT The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to warn women who are pregnant to avoid traveling to wide swathes of Latin America and the Caribbean. Continue reading
Jun 09 Polio outbreak reported in Syria By Helen Branswell, STAT An outbreak of vaccine-related polio cases has been reported in war-torn Syria, the World Health Organization announced Thursday — another hurdle for a nearly 30-year eradication effort that has seen more than its share of setbacks. Continue reading
Jun 08 Even moderate drinking may expedite brain decline By Ike Swetlitz, STAT Drinking just a handful of beers a week is associated with long-term changes to a person’s brain, a new study finds — although the functional meaning of these changes is unclear. Continue reading
Jun 04 A taxpayer gamble on medical tourism: Louisiana subsidizes proton therapy to boost its economy By Max Blau, STAT Proton therapy only works for specific types of cancer, but Louisiana officials are hopeful their centers will make the state a medical tourism destination. Continue reading