Hypertension med recall, again

Sandoz’s Iosartan potassium hydrochlorothiazide is being recalled again for possible contamination. Note: “The voluntary recall only involves the 100 milligram/25 milligram tablets, it does not involve the other versions of the drug, sometimes sold under the brand names Hyzaar.”

Tomorrow is yesterday

Yesterday the report was that it’s not clear whether fish oil or vitamin D really help people live longer. Pshaw — that was yesterday.

Today the report is “Fish oil cuts heart attack risk, vitamin D lowers odds of cancer death.” (And a different study also found that “Insufficient vitamin D levels [are] tied to earlier death in older men.”

See you tomorrow!

Home Depot and Walmart fight prescription costs

Home Depot and Walmart are turning to “copay accumulator” strategy for their employees’ prescription coverage. In short, if an employee uses a prescription discount card at a pharmacy, the discounted price is charged to the patient’s deductible, not the full price.

Burning rubber

When it comes to approving generics, the FDA is setting records. In October 2018 it bested its previous record of total approvals (set way back in July).

Cancer moving to #1 killer

It seems that cancer is about to take over from heart disease as the number-one cause of death in the U.S.

Try to keep up

Quinoa is so 2014. Today healthy eaters are looking at spelt.

The long read: What happened to U.S. drug prices?

In the 1990s, we were on par with the rest of the world. Today we pay more than any other modern nation. As Jerry Seinfeld might say, “What’s up with that?” The New York Times looks for the answer(s).