On Saturdays, I share some “longform” articles or media stories I’ve appreciated over the previous week. The animal photo, taken by me, generally with an iphone, makes me happy and has nothing to do with the articles I’m recommending.
Here are some long reads (and other media) from this past week worth a weekend perusal:
1. Generic Drug Safety
Propublica published a long investigative piece on safety of generic drugs sourced from factories in India that failed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections. However, the FDA in many cases issued exemptions allowing these drugs to be imported into the US to avoid shortages. This reporting gives me shivers every evening when I take my generic blood pressure and cholesterol medications.
2. Impact of GLP-1 medications on obese teenagers
Reuters reported on four teens whose lives were changed by GLP-1 drugs or bariatric surgery. This help remind us that obesity is a disease with many social complications, and treating obesity can help address these.
3. The impact of the measles outbreak on communities
The New York Times published long-form reporting on how the measles outbreak is upending lives and beliefs from Texas to North Dakota.
4. Impact of the Republican draft reconciliation bill
Tradeoffs has a 45 minute podcast where host Dan Gorenstein interviews members of the U Penn Leonard David Institutes. They break down why the additional 15 million people who would be uninsured could lead to 50,000 excess preventable deaths annually.
Today’s Animal Photos:
These are a pair of turkey vultures on a chimney in Carlisle, MA, near my favorite marsh taken on Monday. I was happy to see these birds back this year - the house changed hands and a nearby barn is being rebuilt, and I worried that they would have had to find a new place to nest. The second photo below is of one of the birds drying their wings last year.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Jeff