UCSF Study Highlights Diagnostic Lag Hindering New Therapeutic Advances
Researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have identified a significant lag in the development of diagnostics compared to therapeutics, which is impeding progress against major diseases. The study, published in the journal Science, highlights that policy gaps and payment barriers are contributing to this disparity. The researchers, including Kathryn Phillips, a professor of health economics, and former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, argue that diagnostics receive less investment and insurance coverage than drugs, creating a disincentive for their development. This has resulted in uneven access to diagnostics globally, with nearly half of the world's population having limited or no access. The study emphasizes the critical role of diagnostics in guiding medical decisions, particularly in conditions like obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, where new therapies are emerging but lack adequate diagnostic support. 
