Evidence COVID Began in Raccoon Dog; Migraine Drug Recall; FDA Mum on Spring Booster

— Health news and commentary from around the Web gathered by MedPage Today staff

by Kristen MonacoStaff Writer, MedPage Today March 17, 2023

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A new analysis of genetic samples from China appears to link the origin of COVID-19 to raccoon dogs. (The Atlantic)

What’s a raccoon doganyhow? (Wikipedia)

After a 2-year pandemic spikematernal deaths in 2022 appear to have returned to pre-pandemic levelsaccording to preliminary data from the CDC. (AP)

Another tickborne illness, babesiosis, is on the rise in the Northeastaccording to the CDC. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Following in the footsteps of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, Sanofi announced it plans to cut the price of Lantus, the company’s most commonly prescribed insulinby 78%.

Pfizer will recall its migraine drug rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) to child-proof the packaging, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the company announced.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed into law a bill that fully bans abortion clinics in the state by 2024. (ABC News)

Meanwhile, North Dakota’s Supreme Court called the state’s abortion ban unconstitutional. (ABC News)

And in California, a new bill was introduced that would legally protect doctors who mail abortion pills to patients in other states. (AP)

Meanwhile, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed into law extended postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers, increasing coverage from 60 days to 12 months. (Clarion Ledger)

Kentucky is the latest state where lawmakers passed a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. (Washington Post)

Another boost or not? As other countries move ahead, there’s still no word from the FDA on whether the U.S. will recommend COVID boosters in the spring. (STAT)

Non-physician healthcare workers in England finally struck a deal ending months of strikes. (AP)

Pfizer was the top spender of TV drug ads during the Oscars this year — the company was also a sponsor of the awards show itself. (FiercePharma)

Ketamine Wellness Centers, one of the country’s largest chain of ketamine clinicsshuttered its doors this week without explanation, leaving many patients in the lurch. (STAT)

Ten workers, including three hospital employees, were charged with second-degree murder over the death of a 28-year-old man in a Virginia psychiatric hospital. (NPR)

A handful of new bills are looking to expand rural healthcare access in Colorado. (Montrose Daily Press)

Just why are pediatric hospital beds filling up so quickly? (CNN)

A sickle cell disease patient treated with an investigational CRISPR treatment is still thriving 4 years later. (NPR)

Prostate cancer therapy lutetium Lu 177 vivivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto) is currently in shortageleaving some advanced-stage patients with limited options. (Wall Street Journal)

Officials are monitoring cleanup efforts following a tritium leak at a Minnesota nuclear generating plant last November. (CBS News)

California saved $231 in healthcare costs for every dollar spent on its anti-smoking program established in 1988, researchers estimated. (PLOS One)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued his first recommendations in ongoing efforts to improve mental health care and reduce suicides in the military.