|
A federal study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that
individuals taking the diabetes and obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy
had a lower risk of suicidal thoughts compared to those taking other
medications for the same conditions. The study, based on the analysis of
electronic medical records from over 1.8 million patients, aims to address
concerns raised by anecdotal reports linking the drug semaglutide to
thoughts of self-harm, urging further evaluation and longer follow-up
periods for patients.
|
Eli Lilly has introduced a new website, LillyDirect, allowing patients to
obtain prescriptions for weight loss drugs through telehealth providers,
streamlining access to medications such as Zepbound. While the move
aims to enhance accessibility, experts express concerns about potential
conflicts of interest and the need for careful oversight of the platform to
avoid fragmentation of care and ensure appropriate prescriptions.
|
The FDA has approved Florida's plan to import prescription drugs from
Canada, marking a significant shift in U.S. drug policies and aiming to
enhance access to more affordable medications in the state. This move
is part of a broader effort to address high prescription drug prices and
encourage competition in the pharmaceutical
market.
|
Wearing hearing aids may reduce the risk of early death, according to a
study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal.
The research,
based on the data of over 10,000 people, found a 24% lower risk of
mortality among regular hearing aid users, highlighting the potential
connection between hearing health and overall well-being. Additionally,
another study published in JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
suggests that using hearing aids may also be associated with a lower risk
of dementia in individuals with hearing loss.
|
A variant known as JN.1, which is a descendant of the omicron variant, is
now the predominant COVID-19 strain in the United States, accounting
for approximately 61.6% of cases, according to data from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). JN.1, identified as a
"variant of
interest" by the World Health Organization, has seen a significant increase
from its estimated 3.3% prevalence in mid-November.
|
|