- Stunning new mask study: “We are uncertain whether wearing masks or N95/P2 respirators helps to slow the spread of respiratory viruses based on the studies we assessed.”
- Scott Sumner: ChatGPT is confused about supply and demand; but so are most economists.
- How dangerous is H5N1?
- More details, including the role of minks.
- How nature mummifies the dead: in bogs. Also, Steven Pinker is right: the past was more violent than the present. (NYT)
- Only 25% of hospitals are fully compliant with federal price transparency rules, Some of the largest conglomerates are among the offenders.
Category: Drug Prices & Regulations
Monday Links
- Weight gain is not a new thing: Americans have been gaining weight for as far back as we have data.
- When Cuba sends doctors to other countries, it’s not charity; it’s business.
- The Heath Care Blog discovers the joys of patient power. Of course, 30 years is a long time after we first explained it all; but better late than never.
- Biologics account for 2% of US prescriptions for drugs, but 40% of total spending on prescription drugs. Here’s what drug companies do to discourage generic (biosimilar) competitors.
- Do health insurers provide fair access to drugs? Evidence that they don’t.
Wednesday Links
- The human circulatory system is 60,000 miles long.
- While waiting for government price negotiations to begin, Pfizer Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. have raised prices on nearly 1,000 products so far this year.
- Matt Holt discovers that he pays more for drugs than his insurer does – just like Medicare enrollees. Too bad he didn’t do more to help stop the congressional Democrats from rescinding the Trump executive order that would have ended this practice—at least for Medicare.
- Are politicians playing doctor on marijuana, or are they just getting big brother out of the way?
- JAMA: AI can’t be included as a coauthor on published articles.
Pharmacists Should be Able to Dispense More Drugs without a Prescription
At my local Kroger grocery store there is a waiting area next to the pharmacy with a room that says Consultations. The waiting area is rarely used. There is only the occasional person whose prescription is being filled. The consultation room is generally only used for those occasions when a pharmacist administers a vaccine. It’s mostly…