Birth control recall

Lupin Pharma has recalled two lots of its Tydemy birth control tablets because “one lot tested low for ascorbic acid (an inactive ingredient) and high for a known impurity.”

The affected lots (L200183 and L201560) were distributed in the U.S. from June 3, 2022, to May 31, 2023.

The company says it hasn’t received any reports of adverse events … yet.

More Ozempic side effects

Droopy faces, the “Ozempic burp”, and now the newest GLP-1 drug side effect: stomach paralysis.

If food is taking too long to leave the stomach, due to a condition called gastroparesis, it can harden into masses called bezoars^* […] These can lead to blockages in the intestine and other issues.

Good news: It’s a fairly rare side effect. Bad news: It can continue even after stopping the drug.

By the way…

A new trial by Eli Lilly found that its tirzepatide drug, Mounjaro, was much more effective than semaglutide drugs like Ozempic for losing weight — we’re talking 26.6% vs 15%.

But wait — there’s a big caveat:

It’s worth noting that patients on the SURMOUNT-3 [tirzepatide] trial also underwent an intensive lifestyle intervention that included a low calorie diet, exercise, and weekly counseling sessions.

^* Honestly, a Jeff Bezos joke here would be too easy.

Tornado aftermath: It’s almost as if they aren’t sure

First: The Pfizer plant hit by a tornado will mean major drug shortages, especially of sterile injections.

Then: No no, it was just the warehouse; the manufacturing part will be up and running tout suite.

But then: Yeah, Pfizer says there are gonna be shortages after all.

And now: “Most drugs made at tornado-ravaged Pfizer plant available from other suppliers, experts say.”

Tales of two drug costs

Weight loss drugs: An ounce of prevention

Since 2006, Medicare, by law, can’t cover weight loss drugs — Congress was concerned about the cost.

But with new and effective drugs on the market, USC researchers found that it’s more cost-effective to cover Mounjaro, Ozempic, and their kin than to treat obese patients.

All told, in the first 10 years alone, Medicare coverage of weight-loss therapies would save the program $175 billion to $245 billion, depending on whether private insurance also covers the treatments. Over 60% of these savings would accrue to Medicare Part A by reducing hospital inpatient care demands and the demand for skilled nursing care.

Alzheimer’s drugs: High cost, little benefit

On the other hand is Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, which Medicare will cover (with restrictions); Eisai is charging Medicare $26,500 per year per patient. But wait, there’s more. Due to the dangers of the drug, patients need tests, brain scans, and safety monitoring, so Leqembi will ultimately cost taxpayers $82,500 per patient per year.

“But,” as one researcher put it, “the actual practical benefits to patients are very marginal, and there is a real risk and a real cost.”

That “real cost” will be borne not just by taxpayers but by Medicare beneficiaries, who’ve already seen premiums go up 15% just in anticipation of these new drugs, not to mention co-pays.

(So what is a reasonable price? The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review “suggested that Leqembi could be cost-effective at an annual price of $8,900 to $21,500.”)

When it comes to Covid, don’t be picky

Rhinotillexis is a risk factor for Covid-19 and other respiratory infections. In other words, picking your nose (say Dutch researchers) increases healthcare workers’ chances of getting sick.

After taking into account whether the participants had had close contact with someone with Covid or worked directly with Covid patients […] those who picked their noses were found to have almost a three times greater risk of developing a Covid infection than those who did not.

The more you know.

Covid breath test

Continuing the theme of (not) sticking things in your nose, soon you might be able to skip those nasal swabs and the 15-minute wait for a Covid test result. A device developed at Washington University uses a simple breath sensor and gives results in less than a minute.

[The researchers] said the breath test could be modified to simultaneously detect other viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. They also believe they can develop a biodetector for any newly emerging pathogen within two weeks of receiving samples of it.