Lilly weight loss edge | CDC backs RSV vaccines | Health-care fraud

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Drugmakers are racing to bring weight loss pills to market but Eli Lilly may have the edge over competitors Novo Nordisk and Pfizer, Annika reports for us. 

Lilly’s pill orforglipron has a couple key advantages over Novo Nordisk’s and Pfizer’s medications, according to analysts. Patients take the pill once daily and they don’t have to observe any dietary restrictions. 

Orforglipron helped people lose up to 14.7% of their body weight over 36 weeks in a clinical trial. 

Seniors will for the first time have access to vaccines that protect them against respiratory syncytial virus this fall. The CDC backed the shots made by Pfizer and GSK this week. 

And the Justice Department is going after health-care fraud in a big way. The DOJ indicted 78 people on fraud to the tune $2.5 billion, including one of the largest telemedicine schemes the government has ever prosecuted. 

Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to us at spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com” style=”text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;”>spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com or spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com” style=”text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;”>annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com

As drugmakers race to develop the next big weight loss pill, Eli Lilly may have an edge

Drugmakers are jockeying to capitalize on the next major innovation coming to the blockbuster weight loss industry.

For now, one experimental oral drug from Eli Lilly appears to have an edge over pills from Novo Nordisk and Pfizer — even though it may not win U.S. approval first.

Eli Lilly’s orforglipron appears to be the top contender due to its strong efficacy data and convenience as a once-daily pill without dietary restrictions.

– Annika Kim Constantino

CDC recommends RSV vaccines from Pfizer, GSK for adults 60 and older

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended that adults ages 60 and above receive a single dose of RSV vaccines from Pfizer and GSK after consulting their doctors.

Outgoing CDC Director Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendation, which an advisory panel of outside experts made last week.

That endorsement says seniors should work with their health-care providers to decide if taking a shot is right for them.

The CDC said the shots are expected to be available to the public this fall, when respiratory syncytial virus – along with Covid and the flu – typically begins to spread at higher levels.

– Annika Kim Constantino

Walgreens slashes earnings guidance due to lower consumer spending, drop in Covid care demand

Walgreens Boots Alliance on Tuesday slashed its full-year earnings guidance as it fell short of Wall Street expectations for its fiscal third quarter due to lower consumer spending and a drop in demand for Covid vaccines and testing.

The retail pharmacy chain lowered its earnings guidance to a range of $4.00 to $4.05 per share for the full year, down from its previous forecast of $4.45 to $4.65 per share.

CEO Rosalind Brewer said soft demand for Covid vaccines and lower consumer spending is likely to extend into next year. She said the company is closing watching the end of fiscal stimulus and resumption of student loan payments as potential headwinds.

– Spencer Kimball

Justice Department charges 78 people with $2.5 billion in health-care

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that it has recently charged 78 people with $2.5 billion in separate health-care fraud and opioid abuse schemes.

The defendants allegedly defrauded programs used to take care of elderly and disabled people, and in some cases used the ill-gotten money to buy exotic cars, jewelry and yachts, the DOJ said.

Among those charged are 11 defendants accused of submitting $2 billion in fraudulent claims through telemedicine, as well as 10 defendants charged in connection with fraudulent prescription drug claims.

In all, prosecutors filed charges against people in 16 states in cases that were lodged or unsealed in the past two weeks as part of the coordinated crackdown.

– Spencer Kimball

More than $200 billion in Covid loans potentially stolen by fraudsters, watchdog says

Fraudsters potentially stole more than $200 billion in federal loans intended to help small businesses struggling during the Covid pandemic, a government watchdog said Tuesday.

A new report estimated that at least 17% of the $1.2 trillion disbursed by the Small Business Administration may have been ripped off by fraudulent actors, according to the SBA’s Office of Inspector General.

– Spencer Kimball

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