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What your patients are reading: Week of September 16, 2024
September 20, 2024

FDA flags Serena Williams’ migraine ad for misleading claims
FDA reprimanded AbbVie for misleading claims in TV ads for a migraine pill featuring tennis pro Serena Williams. The agency said that AbbVie’s claim “one dose works fast to eliminate migraine pain” was not proven in clinical trials and that using a celebrity athlete like Williams amplifies the misleading nature of the ad. AbbVie, which acquired Allergen in 2020, stopped airing the ad and says it's addressing FDA’s concerns. (Bettelhelm, 2024)
New research challenges standard procedures for seniors
Several common medical practices for older patients are being questioned due to a lack of strong evidence supporting their benefits. One such practice is the use of thickened liquids for patients with dementia and swallowing difficulties, which a recent study from Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research found was linked to a higher incidence of pneumonia and may reduce quality of life. Another practice under scrutiny is the routine discontinuation of ACE inhibitors before surgery, which a study showed does not reduce complications. Lastly, the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulators for chronic pain relief is debated, with recent research indicating they may not significantly reduce pain or opioid use. (Span, 2024)
Patients turn to DIY medicine amid healthcare frustrations
Discouraged by high costs and delays in the healthcare system, patients are turning to online communities like Reddit to learn how to make their own versions of prescription drugs and treatments. This DIY medicine trend is part of a broader movement for medical freedom and patient empowerment, fueled by social media. Some patients are even sharing detailed instructions on how to modify medications, such as splitting doses of weight-loss drugs. While this can potentially harmful, it highlights the lengths to which people will go to manage their health. (Reed, 2024)
Sources:
Bettelhelm, A. (2024, September 12). Axios. FDA says Serena Williams drug ad is misleading. https://www.axios.com/2024/09/12/fda-says-serena-williams-drug-ad-is-misleading
Span, P. (2024, September 14). The New York Times. Three Medical Practices That Older Patients Should Question. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/health/medical-practices-treatments-patients.html
Reed, T. (2024, September 16). Axios. DIY medicine draws frustrated patients to online forums. https://www.axios.com/2024/09/16/abortion-pills-glp-drugs-diy-treatments
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