epocrates

What your patients are reading: Week of February 3, 2025

February 7, 2025

Keeping you a step ahead is our priority. That's why we've gathered some of the top stories your patients might be reading. Here are this week's highlights:

U.K. pharmacists sound alarm over semaglutide misuse and eating disorders

(Futurism)—Pharmacists warn that weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro are being misused by individuals with eating disorders. U.K.'s National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has raised concerns that these drugs are being accessed online with minimal oversight. As a result, people with histories of disordered eating can obtain the medications without proper medical consultation, potentially worsening their conditions. NPA is calling for stricter regulations, including mandatory, thorough consultations before dispensing these high-risk medications. They stress the importance of prioritizing access for those with genuine medical needs, such as patients with T2DM.

Vagus nerve stimulation shows promise for autoimmune diseases

(NPR)—Tiny pulses of electricity delivered via implanted devices that stimulate the vagus nerve are showing promise in treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis. This method could potentially replace or augment current drug treatments, which are costly and increase infection risks. Dr. Kevin Tracey, president of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, co-founded SetPoint Medical, which is developing a vagus nerve stimulation system. While the effectiveness compared to drugs is still under study, early trials show significant symptom reduction. The FDA is reviewing SetPoint's device, with a decision expected by the end of 2025.

Advocacy groups fight back against Trump’s gender-affirming care ban

(CNN)—Several social justice groups, including ACLU, Lambda Legal, and GLMA, are suing the Trump administration over new restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors. The executive order, signed on January 28, directs federal agencies to withhold funding from institutions providing such care to individuals under 19. Major medical associations consider gender-affirming care essential, but the order has led to cancellations of appointments and pauses in treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Hospitals and advocacy groups are assessing the impact, while some continue to offer mental health support. The lawsuit, filed by organizations including the ACLU, aims to halt the order's enforcement.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these articles are solely that of the publication and/or author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of epocrates and athenahealth.

Sources:

Al-Sibai, N. (2025, February 2). Futurism. Pharmacists Warn That People With Eating Disorders Are Misusing Wegovy Prescriptions. https://futurism.com/neoscope/pharmacists-warn-wegovy-eating-disorders

Hamilton, J. (2025, February 3). NPR. Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/03/nx-s1-5272748/vagus-nerve-stimulation-may-tame-autoimmune-diseases

Christensen, J. (2025, February 4). CNN. Social justice groups sue to block Trump executive order restricting care for transgender children. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/health/trump-executive-order-transgender-children/index.html