In public health, Donald Trump nominated Susan Monarez to lead the CDC, marking a potential shift in leadership. The Senate has confirmed new leaders for the FDA and NIH, while Mehmet Oz's nomination for CMS advances. Character Biosciences raised $93 million for eye disease drug development. The article also highlights issues like Medicaid cuts potentially affecting millions and ongoing measles outbreaks. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson plans significant investment in U.S. manufacturing and R&D, while Trump's policies on DEI and NIH funding face criticism for potential negative impacts on healthcare diversity and HIV prevention.
Key takeaways:
- Fatal drug overdoses, including from fentanyl, have declined by 25% in the 12 months ended in October 2024, though some cities like San Francisco still face significant challenges.
- 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to sell most of its assets, raising concerns about user data privacy.
- The FDA has approved GSK's new antibiotic, Blujepa, for urinary tract infections, marking the first new class of antibiotic for UTIs since the 1990s.
- Donald Trump nominated Susan Monarez to lead the CDC, making her the first non-physician chief in over 50 years if confirmed.