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Hims & Hers to offer an unapproved peptide after US eases curbs

Hims & Hers to offer an unapproved peptide after US eases curbs

(Corrects lede and headline to show that Hims' new offering is for one unapproved peptide, not some) By Amina Niasse and Kunal Das Nov 9 (Reuters) - Hims & Hers Health said on Monday it will begin offering new treatments in November, including one peptide that is not FDA approved, with plans to

North Dakota Secures $206 Million for Rural Health Transformation Program, Aiming for $1 Billion Total

North Dakota Secures $206 Million for Rural Health Transformation Program, Aiming for $1 Billion Total

North Dakota has been allocated $206 million for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), as announced by U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Representative Julie Fedorchak on November 9, 2026. This funding is part of a larger initiative that could see the state receive up to $1 billion over a five-year period. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion that included the state’s congressional delegation, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, and various healthcare providers. The primary focus of the program is to sustain rural hospitals and enhance healthcare service delivery across the state. Representative Fedorchak urged state leaders to utilize this substantial funding to innovate and restructure healthcare provision in North Dakota, particularly in its rural communities. The state had previously received nearly $200 million in the first year of the program, all of which has b...

FDA Highlights Efforts to Expand Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

FDA Highlights Efforts to Expand Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively working to increase awareness and access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) as a critical component in addressing the opioid crisis. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic medical condition affecting an estimated 4 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. in 2025. The FDA emphasizes that safe and effective FDA-approved MOUDs are available for individuals with moderate-to-severe OUD, falling into three pharmacological categories: opioid agonist (methadone), partial agonist (buprenorphine), and antagonist (naltrexone). The agency is also supporting the development of new OUD treatments and educating the public and healthcare providers on available options.

US FDA orders new eye risk warnings for Ozempic, Zepbound

US FDA orders new eye risk warnings for Ozempic, Zepbound

Nov 9 (Reuters) - The US health regulator on Monday informed patients and healthcare providers of a potential increased risk of a serious eye condition associated with the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes.

HHS Invests $9.7 Million to Combat Elder Abuse and Expand Legal Aid for Seniors

HHS Invests $9.7 Million to Combat Elder Abuse and Expand Legal Aid for Seniors

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Administration for Community Living (ACL), has announced over $9.7 million in new funding aimed at protecting older adults. This investment will support various initiatives, including developing new methods to prevent abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, expanding access to legal assistance for seniors, and strengthening advocacy for individuals residing in nursing homes and other care facilities. Additionally, a portion of the funding will help women with significant economic and social needs build financial literacy. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. emphasized that the Trump Administration is committed to ensuring older Americans live with dignity, control their lives, and protect their assets. The funding addresses the urgent need to combat financial exploitation, which is estimated to cost older Americans $28.3 billion annually, and other forms of elder abuse, affecting at least 1 in 10 older adults each year. The ACL's effo...

Actress Holly Robinson Peete Criticizes Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Autism Remarks

Actress Holly Robinson Peete Criticizes Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Autism Remarks

Actress Holly Robinson Peete has publicly criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his 2025 comments regarding autistic children. Speaking at her HollyRod Foundation's November 7 gala in Los Angeles, Peete stated that Kennedy's remarks brought back painful memories of her son RJ's autism diagnosis in 2000. Kennedy, at an April 16, 2025, news conference, asserted that autism 'destroys families' and suggested that many autistic children would never achieve employment, pay taxes, or engage in romantic relationships. Peete, whose son RJ has since achieved independence, including working for the Los Angeles Dodgers and living in his own apartment, expressed dismay that such statements from a health official undermine years of progress in promoting neurodiversity acceptance. She highlighted the challenges Black and brown families face in accessing autism diagnoses and services, an area her foundation, established in 1997, also addresses.

Longevity Medicine Emphasizes Lifestyle Over Unproven Interventions, According to Dr. Myles Spar

Longevity Medicine Emphasizes Lifestyle Over Unproven Interventions, According to Dr. Myles Spar

Longevity Medicine Emphasizes Lifestyle Over Unproven Interventions, According to Dr. Myles Spar

RFK Jr. Emphasizes Soil Health's Role in Human Well-being During North Dakota Visit

RFK Jr. Emphasizes Soil Health's Role in Human Well-being During North Dakota Visit

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited a ranch near Bismarck, North Dakota, to discuss the critical link between soil health and human health. During a roundtable on regenerative agriculture at the Black Leg Ranch, Secretary Kennedy highlighted how the vitality of soil directly impacts the human gut, which he stated influences overall health, emotions, moods, energy levels, and individual effectiveness. The event, held on November 5, 2026, included Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, both Republicans from North Dakota. Reporters were granted access for a limited 15-minute segment of the approximately 90-minute discussion, during which Secretary Kennedy elaborated on his views regarding the profound connection between agricultural practices and public health outcomes.

FDA Warns Against Caffeine Vapes, Citing Lack of Safety Data and Unapproved Drug Status

FDA Warns Against Caffeine Vapes, Citing Lack of Safety Data and Unapproved Drug Status

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings regarding caffeine vapes, classifying them as unapproved new drugs and raising significant safety concerns. These devices, often marketed as 'energy vapes' or 'diffusers,' heat a liquid containing caffeine and flavor into an aerosol for inhalation. Despite claims of being nicotine-free, the FDA highlights that there is almost no human research on their long-term safety. The agency has previously sent warning letters to manufacturers, stating that ingredients or impurities in inhaled products could trigger airway spasms and may be toxic to airway tissue. For instance, HELO caffeine vapes deliver approximately 1.3 mg of caffeine per 10 puffs, a significantly lower amount compared to a 12 oz cup of coffee, which contains 113 to 247 mg. The FDA emphasizes that no caffeine vape products are approved for medical use or for preventing or treating any condition, and their contents remain largely unknown and unregulated.

CRISPR Therapeutics Reports Positive Phase 1b Results for CTX310 in Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

CRISPR Therapeutics Reports Positive Phase 1b Results for CTX310 in Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

CRISPR Therapeutics has announced positive Phase 1b clinical trial results for its investigational gene-editing therapy, CTX310, designed to treat severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG). The data, presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, showed a mean 63% reduction in triglycerides (TG) and a 65% reduction in circulating angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) at Day 30 following a single-course treatment. Participants in the trial had a median baseline triglyceride concentration exceeding 1,000 mg/dL, indicating significant lipid abnormalities. All ten patients in the Phase 1b cohort had diabetes, 30% had a history of pancreatitis, and 20% had existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and all had failed prior triglyceride-lowering therapies. The therapy works by permanently disabling the ANGPTL3 gene in liver cells using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which prevents the production of functional ANGPTL3 protein. This allows lipoprotein lipase (LPL), an enzyme that breaks down t...

FDA Mandates Label Changes for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Due to Potential Eye Condition Risk

FDA Mandates Label Changes for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Due to Potential Eye Condition Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring manufacturers of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications to update their product labeling. This mandate stems from a potential increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare but serious eye condition that can lead to acute, painless vision decrease in one eye, including permanent vision loss. The FDA's decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of clinical trial data, animal data, and postmarketing reports, including observational studies and case reports. While initial reports were challenging to interpret due to overlapping risk factors for NAION and conditions treated by GLP-1 RAs, further analysis indicated a potential association. The agency's meta-analysis of 126 clinical trials showed a NAION incidence rate of 6.4 events per 100,000 patient-years in GLP-1 RA users compared to 3.8 events per 100,000 patient-years in comparator groups. Additionally, a retrospective cohort study by the ...

HHS Launches Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit Program in Partnership with CDC Foundation

HHS Launches Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit Program in Partnership with CDC Foundation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on October 9 the initiation of its Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit Program. This new initiative, developed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) CDC Foundation, aims to provide crucial support to new families. The program will distribute one-time kits containing essential newborn and postpartum supplies, along with maternal health items, information, and resources. This effort is designed to assist families during the critical postpartum period by ensuring they have access to necessary items and guidance for both the newborn and the mother. The program underscores a commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes by addressing immediate needs and providing educational materials.