Up to this point, individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and a normal BMI have often been overlooked. It was assumed their normal BMI equated to a lower risk of more serious conditions than those who are overweight or obese. These findings indicate that lean patients with NAFLD are 50% more likely to have a CVA compared with overweight patients, and 10 to 30% more likely to experience CVD.

In an effort to reduce the load on overburdened healthcare staff around the world, WHO has unveiled version 2 of its AI “chatbot.” Originally designed to combat COVID disinformation, the system now covers COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and can give advice on mental health, tips to de-stress, guidance on how to eat healthily and be more active, and how to quit tobacco and e-cigarettes. The chatbot can currently converse in English, with Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian to follow.

Bupropion inhibits cytochrome P450 2D6,5 which is the enzyme that converts venlafaxine into an active metabolite, desvenlafaxine. When CYP2D6 is inhibited, venlafaxine levels rise at the expense of desvenlafaxine. Because the renal excretion of venlafaxine is small, the consequence is increased dose-dependent venlafaxine-related adverse effects.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is the primary supplier of both branded and generic versions of the stimulant, which is approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Teva has cited increased demand, workforce shortages, and manufacturing disruptions due to packaging constraints as reasons for the supply problems.

In 2023, patents for the two blockbusters Humira and Stelara will expire. The patents for Aranesp, Rituxan, Simponi, and others will expire in 2024, and in 2025, six more blockbuster drugs will experience patent expiration, opening the field to a rush of biosimilars. That could create an environment of significantly reduced drug prices.

Seven-hundred patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35% or less, extensive coronary artery disease amenable to PCI, and demonstrable myocardial viability were randomly assigned to PCI plus optimal medical therapy vs. optimal medical therapy alone. At 6 months, the LVEF was similar between the two groups.