What We're Reading: Pfizer Plans Daily Weight Loss Pill; Toxic Metals in Tampons; Telehealth in PFS

Pfizer Plans New Once-a-Day Weight Loss Pill

Pfizer announced that a once-a-day version of its weight loss pill danuglipron will enter clinical trials later in 2024, according to an article from Reuters. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are also among the companies developing the second generation of weight loss pills. Currently, injectables like Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Wegovy) and Eli Lilly's tirzepatide (Zepbound) dominate the weight loss drug market. The total market is expected to grow to more than $150 billion in annual sales by the 2030s. Last year, Pfizer scrapped the twice-daily version of danuglipron after patients did not complete the clinical trials due to adverse events such as nausea and vomiting. This decision came after the company had already dropped a different daily weight loss drug, lotiglipron, because of safety concerns as some patients experienced raised levels of liver enzymes. However, Pfizer says study results for the once-daily dose of danuglipron did not show liver enzyme issues in more than 1400 adult participants.

Toxic Metals Found in Popular Tampon Brands

Toxic metals, including lead and arsenic, have been found in over a dozen well-known brands of tampons in the US, according to an article by NPR. Research published in Environment International is believed to be the first study to measure the specific metals in tampons. The negative effects of heavy metals can be severe, involving cardiovascular damage and damage to the nervous and endocrine systems, liver, kidneys, and brain. Risks also include dementia, cancer, and harm to maternal health along with fetal development. The researchers identified "measurable concentrations" of around 16 different metals they were testing for, including lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Interestingly, lead concentration levels were higher in nonorganic tampons but arsenic was higher in organic tampons. Some suggestions for tampon users moving forward are to avoid products that contain plastic such as polyester and polypropylene, along with anything with fragrance and colorants. Other alternatives include pads or menstrual cups.

Telehealth Wins CMS Support, but Congressional Action Necessary

CMS proposed new rules for the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) for 2025, according to an article by Modern Healthcare. The rules allow some telehealth flexibilities to continue, such as using audio-only calls and reporting office locations instead of home addresses. However, for telehealth to remain widely adopted, further actions from Congress are needed, experts say. Telehealth advocates are happy with the CMS proposal but emphasize the need for a permanent solution from Congress. They are concerned about a Supreme Court decision potentially affecting a telehealth bill currently in Congress. Congressional action is crucial for telehealth to operate with certainty and for companies to invest in the industry, according to experts.