Sydney Lupkin
Stories
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FDA pulls the only approved drug for preventing premature birth off the market
The drug had been fast-tracked for approval under the agency's accelerated approval program, and has been available for more than a decade, despite the drugmaker's failure to prove that it works.
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Moderna's COVID vaccine gambit: Hike the price, offer free doses for uninsured
Once U.S. stockpiles of COVID-19 vaccine run out, Moderna says it might charge as much as $130 per dose, but give people who lack health insurance a break. Critics say that's not enough help.
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Adderall shortage forces some patients to scramble, ration or go without
The FDA announced the supply troubles in the fall. Four months later, the medication remains hard to get and could stay that way until the spring
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Is it time for a reality check on rapid COVID tests?
At-home rapid tests have become a staple of COVID-19 precautions, but some experts worry that people are relying too much on these tests and that's creating a false sense of security.
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National
Abortion pills should be easier to get. That doesn't mean that they will be
Changes by the FDA mean patients won't have to schedule in-person exams to get a prescription. That opens the door for more pharmacies to provide the medication. But not everyone will have access.
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5 things to know about the FDA's flawed approach to accelerated drug approvals
An NPR investigation found stalled confirmatory trials and lax enforcement are plaguing the FDA's accelerated approval of drugs for urgent medical needs.
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National
2 House subcommittees are trying to get answers about the baby formula shortage
Two House subcommittees are holding hearings on the baby formula crisis. One will focus on the Food and Drug Administration and the formula makers. The other will look at the effects of the shortage.
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Feds' contract with Pfizer for Paxlovid has some surprises
NPR has obtained the government's $5.3 million contract for the first 10 million courses of Paxlovid, an antiviral pill for COVID-19. Here's what's in it.
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Omicron boosters are in the works, but will they be needed?
Omicron has many more mutations than previous variants of concern, a fact that raises questions about how effective existing vaccines will be against the new form of the coronavirus.
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National
What the omicron variant might mean for current — and future — vaccines
Former scientific head of Operation Warp Speed Moncef Slaoui explains why he is confident in existing vaccines' protection against omicron and how soon a variant-specific booster could be developed.