Ira Katz: Still spreading the word

GPhA member and naloxone champ Ira Katz was in the news again, this time on Atlanta’s Fox 5 as part of a story on the 107,000 Americans who died of overdoses in 2021. His Little Five Points Pharmacy is one of many making naloxone — Narcan — available to whomever needs it.

“We get it for free, and we give it away for free, to anybody who asks,” he says. “You don’t need a prescription for this any longer. It is free of charge. This will save lives.”

Baby formula going forward

The FDA is not only allowing baby formula to be imported (from some other countries and suppliers) until November 14, it’s also working to make it easier for those imports to continue afterwards. That’s called learning your lesson about having too many of your eggs in one Abbott-shaped basket.

Tiny worm delivery drivers

Some nematodes — microscopic worms — have an unusual ability: They’re attracted to cancer cells.

Normally when a nematode enters a human (via undercooked fish) it’s A) disgusting, and B) a possible cause of … less just say “gastrointestinal issues.” But Japanese researchers had an idea: What if you could get a worm to carry a drug payload right to a tumor?

While tiny backpacks were out of the question, coating the worms with a hydrogel allowed them to protect the worms in the body, while at the same time carrying meds while they, er, wormed their way to the cancer cells.

Why yes, yes it did: “[T]he worms became parasitic soldiers that could deliver anti-cancer treatments directly to cancer cells, which are tracked using their natural ability.”

As you might imagine, further research is needed.

Bacteria and drugs: Make it, taste it, report it

Getting bacteria to make drugs is an idea that’s been around a while, but it’s not easy. The biggest issue: When you have a vat of bacteria, it’s hard to determine and isolate the ones actually producing the drug you want them to produce.

But now University of Texas molecular biologists say they’ve cracked the problem. Their solution is to give the bacteria built-in biosensors — the bacteria themselves would not only make stuff, but would be able to indicate if it was the right stuff.

“We’re figuring out how to give bacteria ‘senses,’ similar to olfactory receptors or taste receptors, and use them for detection of the various compounds they might make.”

Essentially the bacteria, er, output something, sniff it, and report whether it’s what it’s supposed to be. If it continues to work, that could be a huge step towards efficient biosynthesis of all sorts of meds.

Polypharmacy problems

Back in 2004, a Pretty Big Study found that about 6.5% of hospital admissions “were found to be associated with adverse drug reactions.”

Since then, more people are taking more meds for more conditions. Result: British researchers updating that 2004 study found that today “16.5% of admissions [are] being caused by, or complicated by, an adverse reaction to a medicine.”

Drug patents are about to get scrutiny

One way drug makers are able to keep jacking up the price of their products is by gaming the patent system — they make a minor chemical tweak and re-release Abracadab as Abzracadab XR. New patent, new protection, more profits.

But now the United States Patent and Trademark Office says it’s had enough. It’s working with the FDA to “crack down on patenting of “incremental, obvious changes to existing drugs that do not qualify” for new protections.

Patents are supposed to protect and reward innovation, not stifle competition. Writes the USPTO director:

Our intent is to ensure our government’s innovation system strikes the appropriate balance, encouraging meaningful innovation in drug development while not unduly delaying competition that provides relief from the high cost of medicines.

Elsewhere: Big Apple edition

New York City is combining Covid testing with Covid treatment — dispensing Paxlovid antivirals (free, of course) immediately at testing sites for anyone who tests positive. The idea could be expanded, it would seem, to any location that offered Covid tests and could immediately prescribe and provide Paxlovid. Any ideas?