The U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain is facing mounting pressure as active medication shortages climbed to 227 in the second quarter of 2026, up from 214 in the third quarter of 2025. According to data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), these shortages increasingly involve sole-source products and critical diagnostic tools, signaling a systemic … Read more
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) “All of Us” research program is working to acquire electronic health records for more than 300,000 participants to address critical data gaps. By using patient data-sharing networks, the program aims to complete its precision medicine database, which has collected information from nearly 750,000 people since 2018. Why is the … Read more
Leadership Vacuum at the NIH: What Stability Means for Global Health Security The revolving door at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has turned once again. With the recent departure of Jeffery Taubenberger, the acting head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the scientific community is left grappling with questions about … Read more
Health Tech Correspondent Mario Aguilar covers technology in health care, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, wearable devices, telehealth and digital therapeutics. His stories explore how tech is changing the practice of health care and the business and policy challenges to realizing tech’s promise. He’s also the co-author of the free, twice weekly STAT Health Tech … Read more
The Shifting Landscape of Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Accountability and Transparency on the Horizon For years, concerns have mounted regarding the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the prescription drug supply chain. Accusations of prioritizing profits over patient access and affordability have been widespread. Now, a confluence of Congressional action and Department of Labor (DOL) … Read more
AI-Powered Drug Discovery: Lilly and Insilico Medicine Forge a $2.75 Billion Partnership The pharmaceutical landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into drug discovery. A recent collaboration between Eli Lilly and Insilico Medicine, valued at up to $2.75 billion, exemplifies this trend. The deal, announced on March 29, … Read more
Novo Nordisk’s Strategic Shift: Candy Executive Joins Board as Obesity Market Heats Up Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical company, is bolstering its consumer focus with a surprising appointment: Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, the candy company, as a board observer. This move signals a strategic pivot as Novo Nordisk aims to strengthen its position in … Read more
Averna Therapeutics Bolsters Leadership: What It Signals for the Future of Gene Therapy Averna Therapeutics’ recent appointments of Robert Mabry as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Richard Morris as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) aren’t just internal shifts; they represent a strategic move within the rapidly evolving landscape of genomic medicine. These hires, announced on March … Read more
Trump Administration Pushes for Legislative Drug Pricing Reform Washington D.C. – The White House is actively working to translate its voluntary drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical companies into formal legislation. Officials are currently sharing draft legislative text with over a dozen major pharmaceutical companies, signaling a continued commitment to lowering prescription drug costs. Building on … Read more
FDA Shifts Focus to Food Safety: What’s on the Horizon for 2026 Washington D.C. – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is signaling a significant shift in priorities, with a heightened focus on food safety issues for 2026. Recent briefings to senators reveal a multi-pronged approach encompassing infant formula, food labeling, ultra-processed foods, inspections, and … Read more