President Trump on Thursday announced a drug pricing deal with Regeneron — the last of 17 manufacturers the administration pressured last year to commit to his "most favored nation" policy.
Why it matters: The deals with the other companies to lower certain drug prices are being touted as one of the administration's signature health accomplishments, though Democrats question whether the confidential arrangements are really helping consumers.
President Trump's acting attorney general ordered the immediate reclassification of FDA-approved and state-licensed marijuana as a less dangerous drug Thursday.
Why it matters: The move will make it easier to study medicinal applications of marijuana and could shore up support from influencers who support the research.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new push to loosen federal restrictions on peptides could be a bonanza for telehealth companies, compounding pharmacies and longevity clinics looking for the next big wellness trend.
Why it matters: The heavily touted but loosely regulated proteins could fuel the kind of boom we've seen with weight-loss drugs — even though there's little evidence they work in humans.
A long-awaited confrontation between Senate health committee Chair Bill Cassidy and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. passed without major fireworks on Wednesday — but with Kennedy indicating he would let the next Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director make decisions without interference.
Why it matters: Cassidy and Kennedy have increasingly been at odds over Trump administration health policies and Kennedy's criticisms of vaccines since the Louisiana Republican cast a decisive vote to confirm Kennedy last year.
Washington's anti-hospital animus is gaining momentum with new calls to crack down on federal financing of hospitals coming from a think tank with close ties to the Trump administration.
Why it matters: It's becoming apparent on both sides of the aisle that addressing health care costs means addressing their largest driver: Hospitals.
NASA is researching whether unmanned drones could help solve reliability issues that have cost patients life-saving organs and left donor tissue lost in transit or unusable.
The Trump administration is indefinitely delaying a Medicare pilot program to cover weight-loss drugs after health insurance companies voiced concerns about participating, federal officials said Tuesday.
Why it matters: It's a blow to the administration afterPresident Trump last year touted deals with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to cut prices on GLP-1 drugs in exchange for access to a new pool of patients.
