Drugs … in … spaaaaaaaace

Did you know that Merck found making Keytruda in the microgravity of Earth orbit made the drug more stable? That the space-built version could be given by a shot instead of infusion? Now you know.

With the concept proven, a startup called Varda Space Industries has launched a test of the first space-based drug factory.

During the satellite’s first week in space, Varda will focus on testing its systems to make sure everything works as hoped. The second week will be dedicated to heating and cooling the old HIV-AIDS drug ritonavir repeatedly to study how its particles crystalize in microgravity.

It will return to Earth in about a month so the Vardians can see how well it performed and prepare to create a working factory.

Albuterol recall

Cipla is recalling 6 batches of albuterol because of a leak found in an inhaler. Check its press release (PDF) for the list of batch numbers.

More uses, less usefulness

You know how a drug is approved to treat one condition, then gets approved to treat more? Turns out that it’s less effective for each new condition it’s approved for.

In a commentary about the research the found this, the head of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care’s drug assessment department pointed out that, even though a drug’s added value declines, “the pharmaceutical industry often succeeds in obtaining such supplemental indications to optimize resource use and extend the period of patent protection for its drugs.”

Perhaps, she suggests, we should focus more on whether an indication is better rather than just new: “The system’s current performance does not meet the expectations of patients and the public, clinicians, or policy makers.”

Who lies to look stupid?

It turns out that a lot of people didn’t gargle or drink bleach to prevent Covid — but they said they did.

Back in 2020, a CDC survey found that 4% of people claimed “they were drinking or gargling diluted bleach to prevent a Covid-19 infection.” It was believable because it seems logical that 4% of people are imbeciles.

But a follow-up study found a large number of “problematic respondents.” So how did they know these folks were less than truthful?

“[W]e also observed that 3–7% of respondents reported having never used the Internet while taking the survey online and having suffered a fatal heart attack.”

Yeah, a fatal heart attack tends to make it harder to answer surveys.

Novo hates compounders

Those shifty Danes at Novo Nordisk are suing more compounding pharmacies, this time in Florida and Tennessee.

Claim: The pharmacies aren’t allowed to create compounded versions of Ozempic and Wegovy. Reality: FDA rules say that compounding is permitted for drugs in shortage, as semaglutide is.

Claim: The FDA hasn’t approved these compounding medications. Reality: The FDA doesn’t approve compounded products, just their active ingredients. Semaglutide is FDA-approved.

Claim: “[T]he pharmacies are making the products with an unauthorized version of their active ingredient, semaglutide.” Analogy: Someone is using McDonalds’ beef supplier to make their own burgers.

Claim: More than a decade ago, a compounding pharmacy broke the law and people died. Analogy: The Danes once murdered and pillaged their way across Europe.

The Novo Nordisk Board of Directors (artist’s conception)

Learn your hepatitis ABCDEs

Curious about the differences between hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E? HealthDay’s got you covered.

Short Takes

Elsewhere: OTC birth control in Arizona

Arizona becomes the latest state to allow adults to purchase contraceptives over the counter at pharmacies after completing a brief screening including a blood pressure test. Previously it required a pharmacist’s prescription. That makes the total 19, including DC; only 9 require the patient to be 18 or older (per the Guttmacher Institute).

Consumption resumption

After falling during the pandemic, tuberculosis cases have been rising again worldwide and in the US. In fact, “tuberculosis numbers have quickly climbed back up to pre-pandemic levels, marking the first time in decades that cases and deaths have risen globally.”

Caveats: Some of that 2020 drop is due to less testing (or confusion with Covid), and some of the 2021 rise is due to better testing.