Private equity: Foxes and henhouses?
A New York Times investigation found that Novo Nordisk repeatedly chose WCG, an institutional review board partly owned by Novo’s corporate parent, to oversee its drug trials, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. Once nonprofit watchdogs, many IRBs are now profit-driven under private-equity ownership, prioritizing speed over scrutiny, according to the investigation. WCG and rival Advarra dominate the for-profit review market, often selling other services to the same drugmakers they monitor. Critics say these ties blur ethical lines, eroding participant protections and public trust amid weak federal oversight. Experts fear this system sacrifices rigorous review for profit, compromising safety and transparency. (New York Times)
Leaders: Democratize data, strengthen primary care
At the Digital Medicine Society’s Healthcare 2030 Summit, health care leaders shared visions for a better healthcare system. Teladoc Health founder Michael Gorton urged using AI to reduce medical errors, noting that overworked doctors “make mistakes they shouldn’t be making.” Shauna Overgaard of the Mayo Clinic emphasized giving patients ownership of their health data, saying it’s time to “democratize” access and let individuals control their own records. Ann Allen of Amazon One Medical called for strengthening primary care, arguing that better patient–PCP relationships could save the U.S. $67 billion annually. (MedCity News)
Practice Transformation
Snapshot of state action on vaccines
A new Kaiser Family Foundation brief tracks how states are reshaping vaccine policies amid shifting federal guidance. As of Sept. 22, 2025, 26 states had implemented or announced updates expanding access to COVID-19 and other vaccines beyond federal limits. The analysis highlights a sharp partisan divide: Democratic governors lead 23 of those 26 states. The findings suggest vaccine access may increasingly vary by state, reflecting broader political polarization and mirroring national divides in public opinion over vaccination and public health policy. (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Drugmakers reach out directly to patients
Most drugmakers are moving toward direct-to-patient (DTP) programs, bypassing intermediaries to offer virtual care, payment support, at-home diagnostics, and digital pharmacies, according to a new report from ixlayer. Based on a survey of about three dozen pharma executives, 42% said their companies already run DTP programs, 30% plan to launch within a year, and 21% are exploring the idea. Only 6% have no plans. About half of respondents believe DTP will become standard across most brands within five years, while 44% expect adoption in select therapeutic areas. (Fierce Pharma)
Evidence & Innovation
Even pre-pandemic, PCPs were leaving
A longitudinal study, recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found rising physician attrition from 2013 to 2019, with primary care doctors among those most likely to leave clinical practice. The overall attrition rate grew from 3.5% to 4.9%. After adjustment, primary care physicians faced a higher risk of leaving compared to hospital-based specialists. Psychiatry and OB/GYN also saw elevated losses, while surgical and medical specialties were less affected. Attrition was more common among female and rural physicians, raising concerns about access to care in already underserved areas. (MedPage Today; Annals of Internal Medicine)
Policy Solutions
Review: Most antibiotic prescriptions unnecessary
A global review of 174 studies found that antibiotics are prescribed in about 42% of primary care visits — and more than half of those prescriptions are unnecessary. The problem is worst in low- and middle-income countries, and rates haven’t improved in 20 years. Primary care accounts for most antibiotic use, and experts warn that overprescribing is driving antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat. The study reinforces the urgent need for better prescribing practices and stronger global efforts to curb misuse, according to its authors. (American Journal of Infection Control)
