First Postpartum Depression Drug Fast Tracked and Licensed by FDA
On Aug. 4, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fast tracked licensure of the oral prescription medication Zurzuvae (zuranolone), manufactured by Sage Therapeutics, Inc. as a treatment for postpartum depression. Postpartum affects roughly one in seven women and typically begins after childbirth but, for some women, it can begin during later stages of […]
Scientific Review Reports Onset Or Worsening of Psoriasis Following COVID Shots
A 2023 scientific review published in the journal Biomedicines reported cases of new onset or worsening of psoriasis following COVID-19 shots.1 Patients in the scientific review either received mRNA-based biologics, including Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna/NIAID’s Spikevax, or viral vectored vaccines that included AstraZeneca/Oxford University’s Vaxzevria or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen’s Ad26.COV2.S vaccine.2 Psoriasis is a chronic, […]
No Jab? No Heart. Urgent Help for Aussie Mum Vicki Derderian.
Vicki Derderian is a 47-year-old mother of two who has been suffering from myocarditis—an extremely serious heart condition—since 2015. This condition later led to cardiomyopathy, and although the possibility of a heart transplant was always in the cards for Vicki, given her condition, was relatively stable and managed with medication, the medical profession was able […]
First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Approved by FDA
On July 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first ever non-prescription birth control pill. The progestin-only oral contraceptive known as Opill (norgestrel) is expected to be available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and convenience stores by early 2024. Opill claims a 93 percent efficacy rate in pregnancy prevention.1 Norgestrel Originally Approved in […]
Childhood Vaccination Programs Face Major Cuts in Federal Funding
State vaccination programs for children will face a reduction in funding from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants. The federal immunization grant program, which funds the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, totaled approximately $680 million last year.1 The reduction in funding is alleged to be due to the debt ceiling deal reached […]
Novel mRNA Lyme Shots Could Be Released in 2025
Two novel messenger RNA (mRNA) shots for Lyme disease currently in late-stage clinical trials could hit the market as early as 2025, Moderna announced earlier this year. Also in the race to develop the first-ever mRNA product to prevent Lyme disease are Pfizer and Austria-based Valneva, which entered into a collaborative agreement in April 2020 […]
