Medical devices and equipment
The claim that the medical device tax led to the loss of 20,000 U.S. jobs | The Washington PostThe GOP replacement for the Affordable Care Act would repeal most new taxes in the current health-care law, or Obamacare. Among those taxes is the 2.3 percent medical-device tax, which has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Lawmakers have attributed all sorts of negative impacts to this law, and we've fact-checked some of those claims in the past.
Pharmaceuticals
A prescription blood thinner beat Aspirin at preventing recurrence of blood clots, study finds | The Wall Street JournalLong-term use of a blood-thinning drug is more effective than aspirin in preventing a recurrence of potentially life-threatening blood clots in patients at risk, according to a new study.
Studies suggest cautious optimism about declines in teen opioid use | NPR
In the midst of an opioid epidemic that continues to devastate families, a sliver of hope has arrived. Two long-term studies published Monday show that opioid use among teens and opioid poisonings among younger children are on the decline.
Prescription drug costs are on the rise; So are the T.V. ads promoting them | Kaiser Health News
Laura Ries was moved to action when she saw a TV commercial that portrayed a woman enjoying time with her grandchildren after taking Lyrica, a prescription medication for diabetic nerve pain. Ries' elderly mother suffered from just that problem.
Amgen prevents heart attacks, not deaths, disappointing experts | Forbes
Repatha, a new drug from Amgen, prevents heart attacks and strokes better than any medicine since the cholesterol-lowering statin drugs that are a daily preventative for millions of middle-aged people, according to a new study.
Safety, quality and clinical practice
Pop a pill for heartburn? Try diet and exercise instead | The New York TimesMany Americans would rather take a drug than change their habits to control a persistent ailment. Yet, every medication has side effects, some of which can be worse than the disease they are meant to treat.
