Medicine

Some 41 states restrict abortions, a ‘core component’ of maternal fetal practice, high-risk pregnancy non-profit saysMaternal fetal specialists should see abortion care as a “core component” of their practice in states where laws restrict abortion, according to a new special statement from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).Some 41 states ban abortion at some point in pregnancy, and these legal restrictions make it difficult or impossible for clinicians to practice “standard-of-care, evidence-based medicine”, the report, released on Tuesday, says. Continue reading...

• The Expedition 75 crew members conducted research activities aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, focusing on vein scans, ultra-hot physics, and Earth observations. • Crew members performed tasks such as swapping out spacesuit components and servicing life support gear to maintain the station's systems. • The research activities and maintenance work are crucial for the crew's survival and the success of the mission, as well as for advancing knowledge in the fields of medicine and physics.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new daily pill developed by Revolution Medicines for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. • This groundbreaking medication introduces a novel therapeutic approach to combat one of the most lethal forms of cancer. • The approval is significant as it provides patients with a new targeted option for managing a disease known for its high mortality rate and limited treatment efficacy.

• Researchers are developing next-generation mRNA vaccines designed to direct the human immune system to attack and disassemble tumors tailored to an individual's specific cancer. • While current breakthroughs are promising for melanoma—which sees roughly 112,000 new U.S. cases annually—clinical trials are expanding to target hard-to-treat cancers of the lungs, bladder, kidney, and pancreas. • This shift represents a potential new era of personalized medicine that could revolutionize oncology by moving beyond traditional treatments to targeted immunotherapy.

• Associate Professor Damali Campbell-Oparali of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is addressing the systemic drivers behind maternal health disparities affecting Black mothers. • The discussion focuses on the specific challenges Black women navigate during pregnancy and the postpartum period to identify gaps in care. • This initiative is critical for developing actionable steps to improve health outcomes and advance racial equity within maternal healthcare systems.

Industry body calls for more regular reviews of repeat prescriptions to tackle ‘growing problem’The amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in one year could fill 75 swimming pools, according to a pharmacy group.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimated that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024-25. Continue reading...

• The author argues that modern medical science has shifted from seeking truth to protecting a "medical monopoly," leading to the suppression of effective therapies like chlorine dioxide. • The text criticizes the reliance on expensive randomized controlled trials (RCTs), claiming they are often manipulated by sponsors to artificially inflate the safety and efficacy of drugs. • This systemic issue matters because it prioritizes corporate profit over human health, rendering high-cost data worthless when it serves prevailing interests rather than clinical truth.

• HCA Healthcare has announced a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) highlighting advancements in CRISPR-based therapies for children. • The research builds upon pioneering work at TriStar Centennial Medical Center and the Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network, which performs over 1,600 cellular therapies and transplants annually. • Dr. Frangoul, a key investigator, previously contributed to the first U.S. clinical trial for gene-editing in sickle cell disease, leading to the first FDA-approved CRISPR therapy.

• The US Administration is restructuring the systems supporting PEPFAR and global health security, shifting its engagement strategy toward regulatory influence over long-term public health partnerships. • Concerns are rising that increased political oversight and the deconstruction of international collaborations may undermine the NIH's scientific infrastructure and its history of HIV research and vaccine development. • In a move toward regulatory cooperation, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the African Medicines Agency (AMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a shared framework for information sharing.

• UC San Diego engineers are researching the ability to grow plants under simulated space conditions to produce essential pharmaceuticals during long-term missions. • The initiative addresses a critical safety gap, as medications degrade faster in space; studies show over half of the International Space Station's drug supply expires within three years. • This biological production method is vital for deep-space travel, such as a round trip to Mars, which requires approximately 400 days of travel time.

• The Vanderbilt Report's weekly briefing for June 1–8, 2026, highlights several major medical breakthroughs, including new findings regarding GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. • Key developments include the discovery of a "striking new cancer signal" associated with GLP-1 medications and the emergence of a one-shot gene editing infusion. • These advancements are significant as they potentially expand the therapeutic use of weight-loss drugs and simplify the delivery of genetic treatments.

• New research on mice suggests that a common anti-aging drug combination may cause brain damage, specifically severe myelin loss and symptoms similar to "chemo brain." • A review of 17 studies indicates that guava juice can significantly improve anemia in women and teenage girls by enhancing the body's iron absorption. • These findings highlight critical risks associated with longevity treatments and offer a dietary alternative for managing iron deficiency.

• Researchers are testing a novel approach to treating depression by using anti-inflammatory drugs to calm the immune system rather than targeting brain chemicals. • In a small clinical trial conducted around May 28, 2026, early results indicate that reducing systemic inflammation may alleviate depressive symptoms. • This discovery is significant because it suggests a biological link between the immune system and mental health, potentially offering an alternative for patients who do not respond to traditional antidepressants.

• A survey by Rutgers University and partner institutions found Americans disapprove of Trump administration policies targeting science and medicine by a margin exceeding 2-to-1, reflecting broad public opposition. • The polling data indicates significant public concern about the administration's approach to scientific research funding and medical policy implementation. • The survey results underscore ongoing public health and science policy controversies during the current administration's tenure.

• U.S. News & World Report published its fourth annual Best OTC Medicine & Health Products rankings on May 12, 2026, evaluating brands in categories from supplements to skincare and menopause products. • Nature Made topped the list with 12 No. 1 products, followed by CeraVe with 6 and La Roche-Posay with 4; companies like Haleon, Pharmavite, Kenvue, L'Oreal, and Prestige Consumer Healthcare led in top rankings. • The rankings provide consumer guidance on over-the-counter health products amid rising demand for specialized supplements like collagen and menopause aids.

• The American College of Emergency Physicians reports a record 3,058 positions filled in emergency medicine residencies, signaling rebound from pandemic-era lows. • More applicants matched into emergency medicine than ever before, as of March 18, 2026. • This surge addresses physician shortages in high-demand ERs across US hospitals.

• UC Davis School of Medicine ranks in the top tier nationwide for primary care education in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Graduate Schools. • The school also holds second-tier status for research funding, maintaining high performance in medical training and innovation. • This recognition underscores UC Davis's leadership in producing primary care physicians amid national shortages.

Exclusive: Guardian investigation finds several clinics making potentially unlawful claims about benefits of unregulated therapiesWhat are peptides, are they safe and is there evidence to back up the hype?The medicines regulator is investigating whether UK clinics are breaking the law by making claims about the benefits of unregulated, experimental peptide therapies, the Guardian can reveal.Interest in experimental peptides has boomed in recent years. The substances are delivered by injection and are touted by sellers, influencers and even some medics as aiding everything from anti-ageing to recovery from injury. Continue reading...

Jim Mackey tells LBC phone-in he is ‘really worried’ about supply issues amid US-Iran warMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe head of the NHS in England has said he is “really worried” about medicine supply issues.A number of experts have raised concerns about cost implications and supply disruption linked to the war in Iran. Continue reading...

Concern that supply chain disruption could hit health essentials – and prices – from painkillers to cancer treatmentBritain is “a few weeks away” from medicine shortages ranging from painkillers to cancer treatment if the Iran war continues, according to experts, while drug prices could also rise.The conflict has disrupted the supply of a myriad of crucial raw materials, including oil, gas, crop fertiliser and helium – and health essentials could be next. Continue reading...

• The American Telemedicine Association will host its 30th annual NEXUS 2026 conference from May 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel in Orlando, Florida. • The event gathers digital health leaders for hands-on sessions tackling operational, clinical, and strategic challenges in expanding telehealth solutions across the U.S. • Organizers emphasize proven technologies and evidence showing virtual care delivers results, positioning the conference as key for national scaling efforts amid policy shifts.

• The North American family medicine services market, valued at $187 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $241 billion by 2030, growing at a 5% CAGR. • Growth drivers include expanding health insurance, rising chronic disease prevalence, demand for preventive and primary care, telehealth adoption, and integrated U.S.-Canada systems. • Preventive care segment expected to expand by $80 billion, chronic disease management by $43 billion, acute care by $16 billion, and others by $8 billion from 2025-2030.