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Howie and Harlan are joined by Harvard internist Jerry Avorn to discuss his research on the pharmaceutical industry and his work promoting evidence-based prescribing. Harlan highlights new results from the American Heart Association meeting, including a one-time CRISPR-based therapy for high cholesterol; Howie reports on an outbreak of infant botulism.
Show notes:
Research from the American Heart Association Meeting
“Phase 1 Trial of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Targeting ANGPTL3”
“First-in-human trial of CRISPR gene-editing therapy safely lowered cholesterol, triglycerides”
“Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Inhibition with Alirocumab: The CAVIAR Trial”
“PCSK9 medication plus statin may help lower cholesterol after heart transplant”
“Investigational daily pill lowered bad cholesterol as much as injectables”
Jerry Avorn
Science Direct: Academic Detailing
Jerry Avorn: Rethinking Medications: Truth, Power, and the Drugs You Take
FDA: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertisements
H.R.5952 - Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992
FDA: FY 2025 FDA Budget Summary
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Open Payments
H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
“Aducanumab Discontinued as an Alzheimer’s Treatment”
Amazon.com: Featured comments on Rethinking Medications
Infant Botulism
California Department of Public Health: Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
CDC: “Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025”
“ByHeart recalls all baby formula sold nationwide as infant botulism outbreak grows”
California Department of Public Health: What is BabyBIG?
California Department of Public Health: Postponement of BabyBIG Fee Increase
California Department Of Public Health: Invoice and Purchase Agreement for BabyBIG
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