Medicare now routinely pays for amyloid-PET scans to help diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's and determine eligibility for new drugs, but experts question the reliability of these scans in accurately identifying the disease and measuring drug benefits. The costs of the scans and new drugs raise concerns about spending on unreliable testing and potentially ineffective treatments. Alternative diagnostic methods are being explored, but challenges remain in accurately diagnosing Alzheimer's. The use of amyloid-PET scans as a proxy for Alzheimer's and the modest benefits of new drugs raise further questions about their effectiveness.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging dog owners to stay vigilant as a mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs spreads across the United States. While the illness has not been reported in Michigan, cases have been reported in 14 other states. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Diagnostic testing is crucial to determine the cause of the illness and administer appropriate treatment. Dog owners are advised to work with their veterinarians, ensure their dogs are up to date on vaccinations, avoid contact with sick dogs, and seek veterinary care if their dogs show signs of illness.
Danaher Corporation has announced an agreement to provide Cepheid's Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra diagnostic test cartridges for tuberculosis (TB) at cost to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and less-developed countries eligible for Cepheid's Global Access Program. By reducing the price of the test cartridge to $7.97, Danaher will earn no profit. The agreement expands the partnership between Cepheid and the Global Fund, aiming to improve access to high-quality TB testing in countries where it is most needed. The Global Fund is the largest provider of financing and programs to combat TB globally.
New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino left Friday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning due to an injury to his left side. Severino will undergo diagnostic testing to determine the extent of the injury. This comes after Severino struggled with injuries in recent seasons, including a strained lat muscle and Tommy John surgery. With Severino eligible for free agency after this season, it remains uncertain if he will make another appearance for the Yankees.
