Vijay Kumar leaves FDA’s Office of Therapeutic Products

Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. WASHINGTON — Vijay Kumar, acting director of the office that reviews cell and gene therapies … [Read more…]

CoQ10, menopause and what the latest research tells us

A shift in my focus To better understand the emerging research around CoQ10 and menopause, I spoke to Melissa Olivadoti, Ph.D., CMPP, President at Assisi Consulting LLC and Medical Affairs Consultant to Kaneka Nutrientsglobal leaders in the production of high-quality ubiquinol. Melissa says, “When women think about menopause, they often think about managing changes to … [Read more…]

New ACIP charter widens member criteria, focuses on vaccine alternatives

A new charter for the panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine use substantially refocuses the responsibilities of the committee, downplaying its role in recommending the use of new vaccines and giving it responsibility to assess alternatives for disease prevention. Whereas previous iterations of the committee’s charter stressed the importance … [Read more…]

What’s involved in a birth injury lawsuit? Your big FAQs

Few experiences are more overwhelming than learning that your baby has suffered an injury during pregnancy, birth or the early newborn period. Alongside the immediate medical concerns, many families find themselves navigating a maze of appointments, therapies, paperwork and uncertainty about the future. Some are also left wondering whether the injury could have been prevented … [Read more…]

How STAT decided to keep ‘health care’ as two words

Below is a lightly edited, AI-generated transcript of the “First Opinion Podcast” interview with Sarah Mupo. Be sure to sign up for the weekly “First Opinion Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get alerts about each new episode by signing up for the “First Opinion Podcast” newsletter. And don’t forget to sign … [Read more…]

What does a healthy vagina smell like? The facts (& our notes on the Vaginamaxxing trend)

If you’ve recently found yourself scrolling past videos about vaginamaxxing, vaginal probiotics, or ways to smell ‘better down there,’ you’re not the only one. The trend has gained momentum across TikTok, Reddit (see the top chats happening here), Instagram, and wellness communities, sparking conversations about vaginal health, feminine hygiene, and the vaginal microbiome. Some of … [Read more…]

RFK Jr.’s ‘new’ mental health effort instantly questioned by experts

The Trump administration on Wednesday said it was announcing $700 million in “new funding” for mental health and addiction programs, with an emphasis on combating homelessness resulting from severe, untreated mental illness. But behavioral health experts instantly cast doubt on the claim, identifying the $700 million not as new funding but as the long-awaited release … [Read more…]

FDA approves Sanofi diabetes drug for children with stage 3 diabetes

Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved teplizumab, a type 1 diabetes … [Read more…]

Medicated vs natural frozen embryo transfer (& FET timeline from start to finish)

Frozen embryo transfer medication timeline Dr Khanjani says: Although every clinic protocol varies slightly, a medicated frozen embryo transfer timeline generally follows a similar structure: Days 1-3: Period begins Your menstrual cycle starts (naturally or via medication) and your clinic confirms treatment plans. Depending on your protocol, FET medications may begin during the first few … [Read more…]