Pharma Pulse 6/13/25: Navigating the Intersection of Accessibility and Measurement Integrity in eCOA; Do We Really Pay More for Prescription Drugs in the United States?

Navigating the Intersection of Accessibility and Measurement Integrity in eCOA

An article in Applied Clinical Trials explores how clinical research’s shift toward patient-centered outcomes is prompting the eCOA field to reconcile long-standing tensions between accessibility and measurement integrity, calling for the integration of modern accessibility standards to ensure digital tools used in trials are inclusive and representative of all patient populations.

Do We Really Pay More for Prescription Drugs in the United States?

President Trump’s 2025 executive order to tie US drug prices to those in other developed nations reignites the debate over high pharmaceutical costs, highlighting that while Americans do pay significantly more for branded drugs, the real driver of excessive US healthcare spending lies in hospital and provider services—not prescription medications.

The Rebound Effect: What Happens After GLP-1?

A Pharmaceutical Executive article emphasizes that the GLP-1 rebound effect—marked by weight regain and diminished cardiometabolic benefits after discontinuation—highlights the need for holistic, lifelong obesity care that integrates medical, behavioral, and social support.

First-in-Class Oral Therapy Is Approved for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection

The FDA approval of gepotidacin, a first-in-class oral antibiotic for uncomplicated UTIs in females 12 and older, introduces a novel treatment option with a unique mechanism of action, demonstrating noninferiority to nitrofurantoin and offering an alternative for patients with recurrence or intolerance to current therapies.

Medtronic Recalls Ventilators Linked to 2 Serious Injuries, 1 Death

Medtronic has issued a Class 1 recall of its Newport HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators—linked to two serious injuries and one death—due to a fault that can cause the devices to shut down or fail to sound alarms, affecting nearly 5,000 units worldwide.