Ozempic for alcohol use disorder; NIH clinical trial for dengue treatment; $24 million Medicare fraud scheme – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Semaglutide significantly reduced alcohol consumption and cravings in a small trial, suggesting potential effects on the brain's reward system.
NIH's Phase 2 trial will evaluate AV-1's safety and efficacy as a potential dengue treatment, with no current FDA-approved options available.
Dr. Alexander Baldonado was convicted of a $24 million Medicare fraud scheme, involving unnecessary tests and illegal kickbacks, facing significant prison time.

The top news stories in medicine today.

Ozempic shows promise in reducing alcohol consumption in new trial

A small clinical trial has found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, significantly reduced alcohol consumption in individuals with moderate alcohol-use disorder. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved 48 participants and showed that those taking semaglutide drank about 40% less alcohol than those on a placebo. Researchers also reported a decrease in alcohol cravings. While larger trials are required to confirm these findings, experts suggest the drug’s effects on the brain’s reward system may contribute to reduced alcohol intake. CNN Health has the full story.

NIH launches clinical trial for experimental dengue treatment

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has initiated a clinical trial to evaluate an investigational monoclonal antibody treatment for dengue — a mosquito-borne virus that affects millions worldwide. The Phase 2 trial, funded by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will assess the safety and efficacy of AV-1, developed by AbViro, in reducing dengue symptoms. Volunteers will receive controlled exposure to a weakened strain of the virus and varying doses of AV-1. With no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for dengue, researchers aim to determine whether AV-1 can offer a viable therapeutic option for those infected.

New York doctor convicted in $24 million Medicare fraud scheme

A federal jury has convicted Alexander Baldonado, MD, of Queens, New York, for orchestrating a Medicare fraud scheme that resulted in over $24 million in fraudulent claims. Prosecutors revealed that Baldonado accepted illegal cash kickbacks in exchange for ordering unnecessary cancer genetic tests and orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom he never met or examined.

The scheme involved using COVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities to authorize expensive lab tests, as well as billing Medicare for office visits that never occurred. Undercover video evidence also captured Baldonado receiving cash bribes for signing prescriptions. Baldonado faces up to 10 years in prison per count, and will be sentenced on June 26, 2025.