Author | Lightnews

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Jul 3

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says U.S. medical schools must teach nutrition. He criticized the lack of standardized nutrition education, noting that students receive only around 19 hours of required training over four years.

RFK Jr. to tell medical schools to teach nutrition or lose federal funding

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to tell medical schools they must offer nutrition courses to students or risk losing federal funding from the DHS.

abcnews.go.com

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Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · May 12

Trump signs executive order to lower drug prices by matching what other countries pay. Supporters say it will save Americans billions. Critics call it more of a political move than real policy similar to past efforts under Obama and Biden that never got far.

Trump to sign executive order on reducing prescription drug prices

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would sign an executive order that he said would reduce prescription drug and pharmaceutical prices by between 30% and 80%.

www.reuters.com

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Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · May 10

UnitedHealth is being sued by shareholders for allegedly hiding a DOJ antitrust investigation, right after the CEO cashed out $24M in stock.

UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO's killing

The group of investors alleged the company misled them by not adjusting its forecast after Brian Thompson was killed.

www.nbcnews.com

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Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · May 10

UCSD researchers used AI to discover that a gene called PHGDH might actually cause Alzheimer’s—not just be linked to it. Even better, they found a molecule that could block its effects. This could lead to real treatment breakthroughs.

AI Helps Unravel a Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease and Identify a Therapeutic Candidate

A new study found that a gene recently recognized as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease is actually a cause of it, due to its previously unknown secondary function that triggers a pathway that disrup...

today.ucsd.edu

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · May 6

Back in 1958, scientists had a theory that Vitamin B1 (thiamine) might do more than just help with energy. Now, over 60 years later, they finally proved it: B1 actually helps keep your cells alive—especially when your body is stressed or sick. It’s not just a basic vitamin.

Scientists Finally Confirm “Crazy” Vitamin B1 Theory From 1958

Chemists have successfully generated an unstable molecule in water, a feat once believed to be impossible. Chemists have confirmed a 67-year-old theory about vitamin B1 by stabilizing a highly reactiv...

scitechdaily.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · May 1

PBMs used to gag pharmacists from telling you a drug was cheaper without insurance. That didn’t end until 2018. For years, you could’ve saved money—but weren’t allowed to know. And we still let these middlemen run the show. @mcuban.bsky.social

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 30

Trump wants to cut HIV prevention and leave it to states that can’t afford it. More infections, more lives lost—and taxpayers still pay. Over 40 million people have already died from this disease. Cutting prevention is reckless.

Trump administration considers plan to eliminate CDC's HIV prevention division

If the administration does move forward with the plan, the CDC’s HIV prevention work could move over to another department under HHS.

www.nbcnews.com

Reposted by Dr. Katy | PharmD

Mark Cuban @mcuban.bsky.social · Apr 22

💯💯💯

www.drugtopics.com/view/mark-cu...

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs Provides More Cost Savings for Dermatology Prescription

Researchers conducted an observational cost analysis of dermatology drug savings between GoodRx and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.

www.drugtopics.com

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Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 23

The HHS Secretary keeps calling out the use of food dyes in popular snacks like candy and cereal and is now prioritizing action against artificial color additives.

RFK Jr. announces intent to phase out synthetic food dyes

The HHS secretary has frequently blasted food dyes found in candy, cereals, drinks and snacks, and he has made cracking down on color additives a focus of his agenda.

www.washingtonpost.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 17

@mcuban.bsky.social what do you think of Trump’s new executive order that gives drug companies more time—13 years instead of 9—before Medicare can negotiate prices on new drugs? Isn’t that basically a win for pharma?

Reposted by Dr. Katy | PharmD

Mark Cuban @mcuban.bsky.social · Apr 17

Ohio Medicaid got rid of big middlemen. Says it paid pharmacies a lot more — and saved $140M ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/04/17/o...

Ohio Medicaid got rid of big middlemen. Says it paid pharmacies a lot more — and saved $140M • Ohio Capital Journal

The Ohio Department of Medicaid department in 2022 gave powerful prescription drug middlemen the boot and created a new system. The result: Fees paid to pharmacies were boosted more than 1,200% while ...

ohiocapitaljournal.com

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Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 17

A new policy promises cheaper drugs, faster FDA approvals, and more imports.

But the clearest change?
Drugmakers get 4 more years before Medicare can negotiate prices on new pills.

Trump signs executive action to lower drug prices

The action is intended to build upon the existing program for Medicare drug price negotiations, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act that passed during the Biden administration.

www.npr.org

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 17

90% of U.S. antibiotics rely on imported ingredients.
Common meds like Tylenol, cancer treatments, antidepressants, and vitamins are largely made with components sourced overseas.

Most originate from China and India.

#medicine #supplychain #USA #China

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 17

Eli Lilly’s new weight loss pill is showing promising results in early trials. If it keeps going well, it could be a simpler alternative to injections like Ozempic.

Eli Lilly announces trial results of new weight loss, diabetes pill; stock booms — USA TODAY

Eli Lilly announced the results of a clinical trial for its new pill, which the company said causes nearly 8% weight loss at certain dosages.

apple.news

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 9

Marijuana Users Are 6 Times More Likely to Have a Heart Attack, According to New Study

Cannabis Users Face Substantially Higher Risk of Heart Attack - American College of Cardiology

www.acc.org

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 9

The USDA is losing people from its bird flu response team just as the outbreak is picking up. Internal issues and burnout could make it harder to keep things under control.

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 9

New study shows healthcare AI can give different treatment suggestions depending on a patient’s background, even when the symptoms are the same.

Health Rounds: AI can have medical care biases too, a study reveals

(To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here) Artificial intelligence models may recommend different treatments for the same medical condition based solely on a patient’s socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, researchers warn.

www.reuters.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 4

Hims & Hers — the DTC telehealth brand — is now offering Zepbound, a popular weight loss drug. But analysts aren’t sold. It’s pricey, and their audience might not be willing to pay up.

Hims & Hers Zepbound Offering Won’t Bring Needed Sales Boom, Analysts Say

Investors worry patients won’t make that price leap and that Hims, which has built its business on affordable healthcare, will struggle to meet its revenue goal.

www.wsj.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 4

President Trump’s recent firing of two Democratic FTC commissioners has halted the agency’s antitrust lawsuit against major pharmacy-benefit managers over insulin pricing, leaving the case in limbo.

FTC’s Case Against Drug Managers on Hold After Commissioners Fired

The agency has paused its lawsuit against three pharmacy-benefit managers because no current commissioners can participate in the case.

www.wsj.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Apr 1

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is encouraging states to file waivers to ban food stamps from being used to purchase soda.

Kennedy Jr. advocates for a ban on soda purchases with food stamps

Kennedy encourages state leaders to take action against taxpayer-funded soda subsidies, pledging a celebration at the White House for governors who submit waivers.

www.scrippsnews.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Mar 31

Bill Gates: Within 10 years, AI will replace many doctors and teachers—humans won't be needed 'for most things'

A new era of "free intelligence" powered by AI will change the way humans work, says billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

www.cnbc.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Mar 31

Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine official, has resigned, citing concerns over vaccine misinformation under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

www.usnews.com

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Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Mar 29

HHS to cut 10,000 staff in major restructuring under RFK Jr.
The FDA will lose about 3,500 employees under the plans, although HHS said drug, medical device and food reviewers will not be affected.

Health and Human Services will lay off 10,000 workers and close agencies in a major restructuring

In a major overhaul, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will lay off 10,000 workers and shut down entire agencies.

apnews.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Mar 25

Ozempic isn’t just killing appetite — it’s threatening a $1T junk food industry.
People on GLP-1s aren’t craving chips, soda, or sweets anymore.
Big Food is panicking.
Addiction, obesity, even stroke risk — these meds might upend it all.

Ozempic Could Crush the Junk Food Industry. But It Is Fighting Back.

As revolutionary new weight-loss drugs turn consumers off ultraprocessed foods, the industry is on the hunt for new products.

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Katy | PharmD @drkatyrx.bsky.social · Mar 25

Ant-vax parents say ‘measles wasn’t that bad’ after daughter dies in outbreak.

Parents of girl who died from measles urge others to not vaccinate

The girl’s parents say there are alternative treatments for the disease.

www.newsnationnow.com