>> Another weight loss drug
>> How much for that ambulance ride?
>> Ten-fold increase in preventable infection in newborns
The Med & Mic™ 11.9.23
A medical news blog post
from the author of “Scoop, MD”
New Drug for Weight Management
The FDA has approved tirzepatide, brand name Zepbound, for chronic weight management. The once-a-week injectable medication is already used for type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro. It has been widely used off-label for weight loss. The drug mimics hormones that stimulate the release of insulin. In clinical trials, higher doses of Zepbound led to 20% average weight loss over 72 weeks. It’s for people with obesity and one obesity-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, inflammation of the pancreas, among others. Zepbound costs $1,060 a month before insurance. (Source: CNN, M. Tirrell, 11.8.23)
The Dilemma of Ambulance Rates
A panel of government advisers has agreed that patients should not pay more than $100 out of pocket for ambulance rides. There was less consensus about how ambulances should get paid. The ambulance committee recommended that Congress find a way to make rates and payment more predictable for patients and ambulance services. This could be accomplished through local governments or tied to the percentage provided by Medicare. (Source: STAT News, B. Herman, 11.9.23)
Newborns with Syphilis on the Rise
The CDC says the number of babies born with syphilis has increased tenfold over the past ten years. Infection can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, premature birth, infant death, blindness, deafness, bone malformations, and other long term health problems. The infection can be effectively treated during pregnancy. Public health challenges and an ongoing shortage of the antibiotic to treat syphilis have contributed to the problem. Congenital syphilis is a sign of unchecked spread of syphilis among adults. (Source: NPR, W. Stone, 11.7.23)
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