This week, Congress has been wrestling with the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act; Merrill Goozner at GoozNews reports from Capitol Hill about the questions that FDA Acting Deputy Commissioner for Policy Randall Lutter couldnât answer at a hearing and about the provisions that should be in the bill but arenât. Matt Madia at Reg Watch reports that FDA drafted the bill for Congress after numerous meetings with pharmaceutical industry representatives. (Check out our past posts on PDUFA for background.) Meanwhile, Bill Miller at DeSmogBlog notes that pharmaceutical companies may profit as the world warms.
For some good news, we can turn to Angry Toxicologist, who tells us that dioxin levels in the U.K. are dropping, and Laura Lindberg at RH Reality Check, who reports that teen males have become less sexually active and much more likely to use condoms since the late 1980s (the news in the post about sex education and reproductive health services is gloomy, though).
Elsewhere:
Tara C. Smith at Aetiology explains the science behind the idea of using malaria to cure AIDS, and why itâs such a terrible idea.
Betsy McKay at the WSJ Health Blog reports that national governments will be legally required to report disease outbreaks and other serious public health emergencies to the World Health Organization.
Christine Clark at Global Health Policy outlines the global priorities for childrenâs health.
Benjamin Cohen at The Worldâs Fair shows us whatâs happening with our e-waste.
Nedra Weinreich of Spare Change has been contributing to the HHS Pandemic Flu Leadership Blog and has some observations about the disconnect between HHS and concerned citizens whoâve been thinking about and preparing for pandemic flu for a long time.
Smintheus at Unbossed digs into presumed presidential candidate Fred Thompsonâs asbestos-industry ties.
Mike Dunford at The Questionable Authority highlights an example of science working exactly the way itâs supposed to.