Hopkins

• Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health published a new study on July 20, 2026, regarding formulary-related insurance denials for single-source branded drugs in the U.S. • The report highlights how drug utilization management tools, such as prior authorization, step therapy, and formulary exclusions, are used to reduce overall drug spending. • This is significant because while these measures lower costs for insurers, they may create critical barriers to patient access for essential branded medications.

• Experts are calling for public investment to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, noting that previous Zaire ebolavirus vaccines required billions of dollars and decades of research. • The proposed strategy involves initial laboratory testing, small-scale clinical trials to ensure safety and antibody response, and the pre-emptive manufacturing of doses. • This proactive approach is critical because it allows health officials to have vaccines ready for immediate deployment during the next outbreak.

• Researchers at Johns Hopkins University published findings in Nature Medicine on March 20 showing a blood test can detect Alzheimer's pathology 15-20 years before symptom onset with 94% accuracy. • The test measures phosphorylated tau and amyloid-beta levels and was validated in 2,100 cognitively normal participants followed for up to 12 years in multiple longitudinal cohorts. • Early detection could enable preventive interventions during the asymptomatic stage, potentially delaying or preventing cognitive decline in the 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease.