California Gov. Gavin Newsom says there's no imminent threat to the state from Iran. ABC News says the FBI warned California that Iran had aspired to send drones to the West Coast in retaliation for war. The FBI later released text of the alert, which noted that the information was based on "unverified information." The White House now says, "No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists." Newsom says California and various agencies plan for worst-case scenarios. Police in Los Angeles and San Francisco say they are monitoring world events for any risks.
The Food and Drug Administation is approving a generic drug for a very rare genetic disorder, but not for autism. On Tuesday, the U.S. agency said the drug helps children and adults who cannot get enough folate into the brain. That's a major turnaround from announcements made at a White House news conference in September. At that event, President Donald Trump and the FDA commissioner said the drug was under review for approval in patients with autism. FDA officials say they narrowed the review to the strongest evidence. They say that evidence supports use only in patients with a specific genetic mutation.
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a system for approving customized drugs and medical treatments for patients with rare or hard-to-treat diseases. The pathway laid out Monday is aimed to approving one-of-a-kind therapies, including those using emerging gene-editing technology. It's a shift long sought by patients, advocates and researchers focused on rare diseases, which often do not fit within the pharmaceutical industry's business model. For many rare diseases, drug companies have had little financial incentive to develop new treatments. The FDA proposal, if finalized, would codify a path for drugmakers and researchers to study and commercialize treatments without conducting large, expensive clinical trials.
The Trump administration says pharmaceutical companies have agreed to slash the Medicare prices for 15 prescription drugs after months of negotiations and that it's expected to produce billions in savings for older adults. But the net prices unveiled Tuesday aren't what Medicare recipients will pay at their pharmacy counters because those final amounts will depend on each individual's plan and how much they spend annually on prescriptions. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touted the deals as part of efforts to address affordability concerns. The negotiation program is mandated by law and began under the Biden administration.
IV therapy clinics are springing up around the country, touting quick ways to recover from a hangover or a hard workout. But doctors and regulators preach caution before plunging into a visit. The service has been on a growth spurt since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering drips that also aim to boost energy levels or immune systems or deal with things like joint pain. Regulators worry about who delivers the treatments, the source of any pharmaceuticals used and how the services are provided. Customers should come prepared to ask questions before they get connected.
Products with delta-8 THC, so-called "magic mushrooms," and other legal but less-regulated compounds are easy for consumers to get their hands on. But just because it's on a store shelf doesn't mean it's safe — or that the ingredients are clear. Many states have banned or tried to ban delta-8. Experts say its important to do careful research and talk to a doctor before taking any substances. The best option is to only take drugs from a legal and licensed source to avoid getting sick or worse.
Erin Fox has tracked drug shortages for more than 20 years, and she sees no easy solutions for what has become a record run. The University of Utah Drug Information Service says total active shortages hit an all-time high of 323 earlier this year. That's up 85% from a 10-year low of 174, at the end of 2017. There have been 48 new shortages recorded through March. Fox is associate chief pharmacy officer at University of Utah Health. She sees some positive news developing, thanks to growing interest from Congress in the subject.
