CVS to require supplement testing

The company’s “Tested to Be Trusted” program will require that all supplements sold in its stores be tested to ensure they contain what they say they do.

So far, 7% of the supplements failed testing requirements, meaning their labels were updated or the products were pulled from shelves.

Measles update

2019 already has double the cases of 2018.

CVS/Aetna update

What, you thought this was over? Silly you. Latest twist: The judge overseeing the case ruled against CVS and the Justice Department (and for the American Medical Association) and is allowing witness testimony about antitrust issues.

The ruling means there will be a full airing of the arguments for and against the DOJ’s merger settlement agreement, through three witnesses for each side.

It’s looking official: Low-dose aspirin might not be a good idea

More evidence that aspirin shouldn’t be used to prevent heart attacks or strokes: Unless someone is clearly at risk, the danger from brain hemorrhages is greater, although this doesn’t seem to apply to overweight people. (Bonus: Article includes a photo of a handful of ibuprofen. Really, doesn’t everyone know what aspirin looks like?)

Speaking of ibuprofen…

Got a patient in pain after a tonsillectomy? Hopefully you sell ice cream, but you might suggest skipping the ibuprofen in favor of another painkiller. A study in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery found that ibuprofen may increase the risk for severe bleeding after a tonsillectomy.

Don’t you have something better to do?

The U.S. birth rate fell for the fourth year in a row, “leading to the fewest babies in 32 years.” Is this a big deal? No, probably not.

Vitamin A, bacteria, and acne

There’s a bacteria-killing protein on your skin that can prevent skin infections, and a new study finds that it requires vitamin A to work. (The research was looking at why people with vitamin A deficiency had more skin infections. Now it seems they know.)

That info leads to the next leap: Is this why retinoid can treat acne? It’s basically synthetic vitamin A after all, and, while it works for patients, it’s never been clear exactly why.

Too much vitamin B and hip fractures

Older women who take excessive vitamin B supplements (that’s B6 or B12) are at a greater risk of hip fracture. Note: We’re not talking a multivitamin here. “The intakes were far higher than the recommended dietary allowances,” wrote the researchers.

The long read: CBD

“Can CBD Really Do All That?” from the New York Times Magazine.