The Med & Mic™ 03.31.22
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MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
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Close Vote on ALS Drug
The advisory panel to the FDA voted against approval of a new medicine for ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. A single study from the drug company was presented. Six panelists concluded that it failed to show the drug's effectiveness and voted no. Four panelists voted yes. More than two dozen people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, including people with ALS, their families, and doctors. Dr. Teresa Buracchio of the FDA pointed out in an article from the AP the data was flawed, “even with the recognition that ALS is a rare disease, with a relentless course that has an enormous unmet medical need.” The FDA is not obligated to follow the advice of its panel, but it usually does. A final decision is expected in June.
Aphasia Ends Actor’s Career
The family of actor Bruce Willis announced on social media that he has aphasia and will be retiring from acting. More from the New York Post. Here’s my take from a neurologist's point of view: Aphasia (A-Fay-Zjuh) is a finding on examination. There are different types of aphasia, such as expressive aphasia, where a person has trouble speaking, and receptive aphasia, where a person has difficulty understanding. Aphasia isn’t a diagnosis per se, but a sign of something else, such as a stroke, a tumor, or a degenerative condition. When someone has aphasia, doctors order tests to figure out why.
Ivermectin Does Not Cut COVID Hospitalization
The anti-parasitic drug ivermectin does not reduce risk of hospitalization with COVID. Researchers in Brazil studied more than 1,300 people. Half got ivermectin, half got placebo. The group that got ivermectin did not have a lower incidence of hospital admission. The study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine. The FDA and CDC have issued warnings against using ivermectin to treat COVID. More from NPR and ABC News.
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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.