Local Health Alerts
This Is Why Prescription Drugs Are So Expensive
High U.S. prescription drug costs are driven by a lack of price regulation, patent monopolies, and complex supply chain mechanics involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that incentivize high list prices. Infographics highlight that these factors, combined with extensive marketing spend over R&D, lead…
Lynch Syndrome and Aspirin Dose: What CaPP3 Adds to Prevention
New early CaPP3 results focus on a practical prevention question for people with Lynch syndrome: if aspirin helps reduce colorectal cancer risk, could a lower daily dose be effective while lowering side effects? Here’s what the study can (and can’t) tell us yet—and…
STIMULATE-ICP: repurposed drugs show small, short-term relief for long COVID fatigue
In the STIMULATE-ICP trial, colchicine and famotidine–loratadine were linked to small improvements in long COVID–related fatigue at 12 weeks—but those differences were not sustained after treatment stopped. Rivaroxaban did not show a clear benefit. For U.S. readers, the practical takeaway is that these…
Hospital Price Transparency Enforcement: How to Use CMS’s Updated Outcomes Data
CMS updated the hospital price transparency “enforcement outcomes” data dictionary (July 14, 2026) and released patient-facing clarifications in June 2026 FAQs. Here’s how to read the outcome labels, what they can—and can’t—tell you about your cost, and what questions to ask before you…
FDA Update: VITROS 5600 Recall—What to Do If Results Seem Off
FDA posted a Class 2 device recall for certain VITROS 5600 chemistry analyzer software. FDA says some software versions (3.8.0+) may not correctly notify users when Signal Reagent Packs are past expiration, which could increase the risk of no results or erroneous results…
Medicare’s ACCESS Model starts July 5, 2026 for tech-enabled chronic care
Medicare’s ACCESS program begins July 5, 2026. It tests “outcome-aligned” payments for clinician-guided, technology-supported care for certain chronic conditions in Original Medicare—without changing your right to keep seeing other Medicare providers. Here’s what to know about eligibility, enrollment, costs to ask about, and…
Recalled iceberg lettuce and Cyclospora: symptoms and when to get care
If your family ate shredded iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora recall, watch for prolonged watery diarrhea and dehydration. Here’s what to do at home first, and when to call a clinician for evaluation and possible treatment.
Medicare’s $50/month GLP-1 Bridge: Who Qualifies for Coverage
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge started July 1, 2026 and runs through Dec. 31, 2027. If you have Medicare Part D and meet specific BMI-based criteria (and key exclusions), you may be able to get certain weight-management GLP-1 medicines for a predictable $50-per-month copay—through a…
July 2026 Long COVID fatigue trials: integrated care helps, drugs fade
A large July 2026 Long COVID trial found multidisciplinary integrated clinic care was linked to fatigue improvement by 12 weeks. But adding multi-organ MRI or digital rehab didn’t produce a clear extra benefit at the main time point, and repurposed drugs showed only…
New CMS hospital price transparency enforcement: What rural patients should know
CMS begins enforcing updated hospital price transparency requirements on April 1, 2026. For rural patients, the key is knowing how to use the hospital’s posted “shoppable services” information for pre-visit questions—while remembering that posted charges may not equal what your insurance will require…
FDA Recall: Cetirizine 5 mg Tablets With Possible Ranitidine Cross-Contamination
The FDA says certain lots of cetirizine 5 mg tablets distributed by Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories may have been cross-contaminated with ranitidine. If your bottle matches the FDA-listed NDC and lot numbers, stop using those tablets and contact your pharmacist or clinician. If you…
FDA Recall: Baxter Cefazolin in Dextrose Lot With Cardboard Particles (July 2026)
The FDA posted a voluntary recall of one Baxter IV cefazolin in dextrose lot after particulate matter described as “cardboard” was found in the solution. If you (or a loved one) may have received doses from that lot, the best next step is…
