FDA approves a well-known sunscreen ingredient—finally
The FDA approved the first new sunscreen ingredient in over 20 years—one that’s long been used around the world. What took so long?
How the US patent system keeps drug prices high
Pharmaceutical companies can use overlapping patents to extend their exclusive rights to a drug, delaying production of cheaper generic forms.
A virus hunter in Nigeria has thoughts on the Ebola outbreak
A Nigeria-based molecular biologist breaks down the current Ebola outbreak, and what’s needed to improve disease monitoring across Africa.
How the financial industry has curbed drug development
“Pharma Monopoly” shows how the financial industry’s influence over pharmaceutical decision-making means fewer new drugs and higher prices.
Pope Leo’s encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the pope’s scientific views.
How do clinical trials work, and who can participate?
A bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson’s is on the rise in the US
A processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson’s is becoming clear.
New York poised to roll back progressive climate mandates
Mandates issued in 2019 required New York to cut emissions by 40% by 2030. Governor Hochul is moving to soften the goals, citing rising costs.
Federal actions on vaccine research, vapes, and drug access
We’re rounding up a busy week in health policy news, following actions on vaccine research, fruit-flavored vapes, and abortion drug access.
The decades-long movement to kill FEMA
A new series from “On the Media” traces the mistrust and conspiracy theories that have plagued FEMA since its founding in 1979.