What We’re Reading: Pfizer May Cut COVID-19 Drug Prices; Amazon Launches Virtual Health Clinic; Alzheimer Treatment Efficacy Disparities

Pfizer Contemplates COVID-19 Drug Cost-Cutting Program Due to Low Sales
On Tuesday, Pfizer revealed it is considering implementing a cost-cutting program in response to lower-than-expected demand for its COVID-19 products during the second quarter of 2023, according to Reuters. Sales for the Comirnaty vaccine dropped by 83%, while revenue for the Paxlovid antiviral treatment fell by 98%. Despite the lower performance of COVID-19 products, Pfizer maintains its forecast for annual COVID revenues at approximately $21.5 billion.

Amazon Launches Telehealth Center, Amazon Clinic Expands to All 50 States

Amazon Clinic, an online virtual medical clinic, is now available in all 50 states, as well as Washington, DC, offering telehealth services to consumers through its website and mobile app, according to Fierce Healthcare. The service connects users with licensed clinicians who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for common health concerns. However, it currently only operates on a cash-pay basis without accepting insurance. The expansion comes after quarterly sales for COVID-19 products fell short of Wall Street targets.

Disparities in Alzheimer Treatment Efficacy Emerge
New evidence suggests that groundbreaking treatments for Alzheimer disease, targeting the toxic protein beta amyloid, may have a greater benefit for White Americans than Black Americans due to differences in amyloid levels, according to NBC News. The study found older Black Americans have twice the rate of dementia compared with White peers but were screened out of clinical trials for these drugs at a higher rate. Additionally, the disparity in beta amyloid is leading researchers to explore whether this disease manifests differently in diverse populations and is prompting calls for a better understanding of the disease in underrepresented groups.