Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. We can tell because the pace of motor vehicles passing by our window is picking up and the official mascots are busy foraging for their breakfast on the campus grounds. As for us, we are engaged in the usual ritual of brewing cups of stimulation. Our choice today is maple bourbon. Yes, this is for real. As always, you are invited to join us. The neurons could use all the help they can get. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits for you to digest as you embark on your journey, which we hope is satisfying and rewarding. On that note, time to get cracking. Best of luck, and do keep in touch. …
The number of active drug shortages is 277 in this year’s fourth quarter, down from an all-time high of 323 a year ago, according to the latest report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. So far this year, 95 new shortages were reported, a drop from 156 in 2023, although 50% of active shortages have persisted for two or more years. Among the basic and life-saving medicines for which shortages continue to be problematic are Rho(D) immune globulin, pain and sedation medications, and ADHD pills. Notably, 60% of the reasons for shortages were unknown or manufacturers would not provide a reason, according to the University of Utah Drug Information Service, which collected the data. The second most common reason — at 14% of the reported shortages — was blamed on supply and demand with manufacturing issues and business decisions at 12%.
Genetic tests showed that certain patients were predisposed to brain injuries if they took Alzheimer’s drugs in clinical trials, but that information remained secret, The New York Times reports. By 2021, nearly 2,000 volunteers had answered the call to test an experimental Alzheimer’s drug known as BAN2401. For Eisai, the trial was a shot at a windfall — potentially billions of dollars — for defanging a disease that had confounded researchers for more than a century. To assess effectiveness and safety, Eisai sought to include people whose genetic profiles made them especially prone to develop Alzheimer’s. But these same people were also more vulnerable to brain bleeding or swelling if they received the drug. To identify these high-risk volunteers, Eisai told everyone that they would be given a genetic test. But the results, the company added, would remain secret. In all, 274 volunteers joined the trial without Eisai telling them they were at an especially high risk for brain injuries.
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