What We’re Reading: Gun Violence, Mental Health; CVS to Stop Fills for Cerebral, Done; FTC Probes Baby Formula Shortage

Drawing Distinctions Between Mental Health, Gun Control

On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman killed at least 19 children and 2 adults and injured others at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The shooting—which was the deadliest elementary school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012—has renewed a debate about gun control and mental health in the United States, reported MarketWatch. According to mental health experts, individuals experiencing mental health issues are more likely to be victims of gun violence rather than act perpetrators, and directly linking mental health to gun violence adds to other issues surrounding mental health. Experts also argue that mental health screening should be part of the gun purchase process.

CVS to Stop Filling Controlled-Substance Prescriptions for Cerebral, Done

CVS announced that it will stop filling controlled-substance prescriptions ordered by clinicians who work for Cerebral Inc and Done Health beginning Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported. The 2 telehealth startups treat tens of thousands of patients for ADHD and gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, prescribing stimulants such as Adderall that clinicians were previously prohibited from prescribing without an in-person visit. In March 2022, it was reported that employees of the 2 companies said clinicians were pressured into prescribing stimulants and that evaluations were not thorough enough—claims that the companies have denied. This announcement follows last week’s news that Cerebral will stop prescribing almost all controlled substances and will replace its CEO.

FTC Launches Inquiry Into Ongoing Baby Formula Crisis

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Tuesday that they have launched an inquiry into the ongoing baby formula shortage in the United States. According to a statement, this investigation aims to understand the factors leading up to the crisis, including how the concentration in the baby formula market came to be, and the fragility of supply chains. The inquiry will also look into whether and how families are being taken advantage of by deceptive, fraudulent, or generally unfair business practices.