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Health
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A sample of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus/MIKE SIEGEL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Antibiotics are arguably among our greatest innovations. For decades, they've been powerful weapons against bacteria that had killed millions. But now, the business model for making and selling the bug fighters is failing. This just as we need new antibiotics to fight drug-resistant superbugs.
As Denise Roland chronicles, antibiotic makers are going bust. Melinta Therapeutics filed for bankruptcy in late December. Beforehand, Achaogen collapsed. And now other companies are warning their cash might run out before the end of this year.
A number of factors limit the use of new antibiotics that their makers depend on to survive. Health plans pay a fixed fee to treat infectious-disease patients, regardless of which drugs get used. As a result, cash-strapped hospitals often choose older, less-expensive antibiotics.
Should we take action to prop up fledgling antibiotic makers, or let the market work itself out? And if we did want to step in, what should we do? Email me your comments, which may be edited before publication in the newsletter. Please be sure to include your name and location.
– Jonathan D. Rockoff, Deputy Health & Science Bureau Chief, WSJ
Reach me at jonathan.rockoff@wsj.com or Twitter: @jonathanrockoff
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Beyond Pork: After taking a bite of the burger business, meat-alternative food makers are bringing imitation pork and sausage to market, Jacob Bunge and Heather Haddon report. Next: chicken and seafood alternatives.
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Countering Tumors' Drug Resistance: Adaptive therapy is an effort to handle the drug resistance that tumors develop, Brianna Abbott writes. Instead of trying to eradicate the cancer, doctors leave some of it, keep a close eye and then re-treat after it grows. It effectively manages cancer like a chronic condition. Researchers are planning more studies, after a promising pilot.
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Mystery Virus Outbreak: Pneumonia has infected dozens in central China's Wuhan city, sparking efforts to save the critically ill and prevent its spread. The culprit is a novel coronavirus, Chinese scientists say.
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2.2%
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The drop in the U.S. cancer death rate from 2016 to 2017, the largest ever recorded in a single year. (Read more)
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California Label: Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes the state would launch its own prescription drug label selling generic drugs. Under the plan, Christine Mai-Duc and Jared Hopkins report, California would contract with generic-drug companies to make the medicines. The goal is to use the state's purchasing power to keep a lid on the prices paid. (Rising generic-drug prices and shortages have
prompted action by states and hospitals.)
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ROGER KISBY FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
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Early in his career Stephen Shin thought the fingers and hands he was fixing were worth more than he'd ever make. That was because the surgeon was operating on some of professional sports' most celebrated -- and richly compensated -- athletes. Now because of his work helping football, basketball and baseball stars recover from hand injuries, as Ben Cohen reports, Dr. Shin is one of the most valuable people in sports.
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“We’re not going to cure cancer until we understand cancer better.” (Read more)
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— Thomas Lynch Jr., Bristol-Myers Squibb's former R&D chief. who is the incoming president of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
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Some doctors are agreeing to get paid only after a personal-injury lawsuit wraps up (Read more)
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School districts are rolling out measures to stymie vaping, but they don't always work (Read more)
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Big food-and-drink companies are slowing work on CBD products after regulators sounded notes of caution (Read more)
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Regarding last week's question on New Year's resolutions:
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A:
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At age 70 I'm taking up Olympic-style weightlifting. My goal is to earn a medal in my age/weight class in a regional competition and ultimately to lift my body weight overhead (143 pounds). — Jerry Miller, Blowing Rock, N.C.
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A:
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I need to keep a promise to my daughter to lose at least 10 pounds so I can walk her down the aisle in June looking slimmer. I am very active professionally and in a gym multiple times a week. — John Jay Schwartz, Richmond, Va.
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A:
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Eat out less. Cook more from home. Cook from scratch to avoid hidden ingredients. Eating grass-fed beef more often to get the nutrients and protein I need, rather than popping supplements. Stretch exercises every day, rather than a once a week class. Walk outside to get the benefit of sunshine and mental uplifting of being outside. Pray and meditate with a thankful attitude. Quality time with friends. — William Roe, Hamilton, Ohio
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