News You Can Use – September 2024

This month’s episode of “News You Can Use” on Healthcare NOW Radio features news from the month of September 2024.

The show that gives you a quick insight into the latest news, twists, turns and debacles going on in healthcare with my friend and co-host Craig Joseph, MD (@CraigJoseph) Chief Medical Officer at Nordic Consulting Partners and myself, where every diagnosis comes with a side of humor.

Buckle up as we dive into the ER of excitement, the ICU of irrationality, and the waiting room of wacky wisdom in this months show that features a review of:

• The mysterious big-pharma bus
• Eli Lily new mafia look
• Epic being sued by Particle Health
• Claims denials disproportionate impact
• Commonwealth Fund Report
• Cyber security and fun with code names

Pharma on Wheels: More Questions Than Answers

This week we explore the origins and implications of a mysterious “Big Pharma” bus. The bus, emblazoned with messages opposing the pharmaceutical industry, has been touring in secrecy, leaving many wondering who is behind it. While the bus’s backers remain unclear, and Dr Nick’s investigation to trace the campaign’s website registration was a dead-end lead. We wonder what kind of impact it will have but recognize it has successfully sparked a conversation about the role of big pharmaceutical companies in U.S. healthcare.

We moved to the larger debates surrounding the cost of pharmaceuticals in the U.S., particularly in comparison to other countries and the recent Senate showdown on Ozempic, which costs significantly more in the U.S. than in countries like Canada or Germany. While we both recognize the need for profit, pharmaceutical companies defending these high prices citing the need to recoup extensive research costs still fail to explain these differences. While leaders and critics all present valid points, the issue remains complicated, with numerous players such as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) influencing drug prices.

We discuss the recent legal battles, including Eli Lilly’s actions against compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs where they sent letters asking patients to reveal where they sourced compounded versions of the drug, raising concerns about patient privacy and the erosion of further erosion of trust. And we close with a dive into the Cybersecurity alert for healthcare, still top of the list, and the humorous names for the various Ransomware groups as compared to World War Two double agents.

We hope you enjoy our take on the latest news and developments in healthcare and want to help you keep untangling the web of information, dodging the sensational pitfalls, and emerging victorious, albeit a little dizzy, on the other side. In the end, the stories we uncover, and the discussions we ignite, all shape the narrative of our shared future. We want to hear from you especially if you have topics covered or questions you’d like answered. You can reach out directly via the contact form on my website, or send a message on LinkedIn to Craig or me.

Until next week keep solving healthcare’s mysteries before they become your emergencies.

This article was originally published on the Dr. Nick – The Incrementalist blog and is republished here with permission.

News You Can Use gives you a quick insight into the latest news, twists, turns and debacles going on in healthcare with Dr. Nick and Dr. Craig and where every diagnosis comes with a side of side-splitting humor. Your hosts are Dr Nick a long-time host, innovator and healthcare wizard who can prescribe a digital dose of innovation to cure even the most ailing operational inefficiencies. And Dr. Craig Joseph is the healthcare guru who can diagnose both patient and software glitches with equal precision, making sure hospitals run smoother than a well-oiled robot doc.

So buckle up, because we’re diving into the ER of excitement, the ICU of irrationality, and the waiting room of wacky wisdom.

Stay curious, stay engaged, and keep seeking the truth in a world that thrives on information. Because in the end, the stories we uncover, and the discussions we ignite, they all shape the narrative of our shared future.

And keep laughing at the absurdity, keep rolling your eyes at the headlines, and keep spreading the news like your favorite gossip. Who knows, maybe someday you’ll be the breaking news story we’re all talking about!

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