If Buzz is late, this may be why

“New Study Suggests That a Nap Can Save Your Life”

The researchers indicate there’s still quite a bit of research to do before we’ll understand how naps and cardiovascular health are related, but they feel this study is a good start.

Dems channel Trump with drug-pricing proposal

An early draft of the Democrats’ drug-pricing proposal has some familiar ideas — because they sound a lot like ones Donald Trump has supported: giving Medicare authority to negotiate drug prices (at least for the 250 most-costly meds that don’t have generic or biosimilar versions) and linking U.S. prices to those in other countries (which already negotiate prices).

But also in the plan is a requirement that drug companies keep their price hikes to within the rate of inflation or face some serious penalties.

The version out there is an early one, but it gives an idea what’s going to be on the table.

Fred’s closes

The retailer and pharmacy is closing its remaining 300 stores and declaring bankruptcy.

Ernie your BHRT

In case you forgot that we’re living in a science-fiction world, check this out: You can take a CE course in “bio-identical hormone
replacement therapy” (BHRT). Seriously, roll that on your tongue: bio-identical hormone
replacement therapy. Way cool!

Anyway, the course will cover a lot — from “basic pharmacology and
physiology of the sex steroids” through developing a plan for a BHRT clinical practice.

It’s being held at Integrity
Compounding Pharmacy in Sandy Springs (8601 Dunwoody Place, Suite 750 [map]) and taught by the acclaimed Jim Paoletti.

Click here for all the deets and to register!

Opioid treatment funding cliff

States just got $1.8 billion in funding to help fight the opioid epidemic. The problem: It’s a one-time grant with no follow-through (yet). That means states that have not expanded Medicaid will be using those funds for people who can’t afford treatment. And when that money runs out ….

“We have a huge population of uninsured that can receive treatment from these funds, but how are they going to continue to receive treatment? We know [opioid abuse] is a condition that requires many years, if not a lifetime, of treatment and recovery support.”

Google refuses ads for unproven medical treatments

Google says it will no longer accept ads for treatments that have “no established biomedical or scientific basis,” e.g., “speculative or experimental medical techniques.” Notably, that includes stem-cell therapies; here’s the news story behind that.

The new policy also includes treatments that are rooted in basic scientific findings and preliminary clinical experience, but currently have insufficient formal clinical testing to justify widespread clinical use.

New FDA commish?

Outgoing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb recommended that Ned Sharpless succeed him. At least four other former commissioners agreed. But the White House has different ideas, and is looking at Stephen Hahn: “a 59-year-old oncologist, is an accomplished researcher and longtime GOP donor” who has an interesting trail of controversies following him — but with “political savvy” and a open, even gregarious personality.

Elsewhere: British addiction

A new review of Brits’ prescription use finds a lot of potential addiction — and a desire not to end up like the U.S. when it comes to opioids.

[L]ong-term antidepressant use is necessary for some. More worrying, say the experts, are the half a million people who have been on opioid painkillers for more than three years for chronic conditions such as lower back pain and joint pain. The drugs are addictive and paracetamol or ibuprofen work as well or better, say experts. Opioids should be kept for acute pain, such as in cancer.