Dogs share greater genetic similarity to humans than other animal models that are routinely used for scientific research, such as rats. Dogs also share the same environment as humans, so they are a good subject to study for longevity. Dogs begin to experience many of the same age-related diseases as humans, including cancer, heart disease, renal failure, hip dysplasia, and others. According to the Wall Street Journal, scientists are studying dogs to learn more about human longevity and hopefully extend it.
Category: Drug Prices & Regulations
Wednesday Links
- Lilly’s weight loss drug: if you stop taking it you will regain half the weight you have lost.
- Trump’s environmental record was surprisingly good.
- A typical couple reaching age 65 and retiring in 2020 has paid $680,000 in lifetime taxes. They can expect lifetime benefits of about $1.24 million. Most retiree couples are “Social Security millionaires,” regardless of other income and assets.
- One in four animals raised for food are never eaten.
- There are over 73,000 contract pharmacies that qualify for 340B discounts. Is anybody paying list price for these drugs?
That Cheap Drug From Mexico (or Bought Online) May Not Be What You Think
Years ago I crossed into Mexico from Weslaco, Texas. You could park on the U.S. side and walk across the bridge into Mexico. If you pull up Weslaco on Google Maps it lists eight different pharmacies or clinics within several blocks of the international border crossing. Google Maps does not always list every business. There are probably more than eight. As I recall there were rows of pharmacies. The storefronts were often narrow but deep. On one side of the pharmacy was cheap drugs while on the other side was cheap liquor.
Saturday Links
- More details on Biden’s plan to seize drug company patents.
- Update: 2 million, rather than previously reported 1 million, Social Security retirees got clawback letters last year.
- First-ever gene editing therapies approved to cure sickle cell disease.
- Canada’s system of socialized medicine now has the longest wait times to receive medical treatment ever recorded.
- Scholarly studies: consumer directed health plans reduce health care spending by approximately 5–15 percent relative to similar plans with lower deductibles and without spending accounts.