Reasoning against physician-assisted suicide; helping healthy eating; bogus weight-loss drugs – Morning Medical Update

‘Humans and animals are not equivalent’

Euthanasia is not much of a debated topic in veterinary medicine. But there is growing worldwide debate about human euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. The practice on animals may influence how physicians and patients think about treatment of people. Here, two physicians explain why the euthanasia of animals as an argument for physician-assisted suicide is invalid.

Helping healthy choices

“Society does not make…it easy for the healthy choice to be the easy choice,” said a preventive cardiologist who has tips for physicians who want to help patients embrace a healthful diet. For example, start with two-two-two per day: two servings of green leafy vegetables, two fruits, and two other servings of vegetables.

Online pharmacy scams

“The popularity of branded semaglutide is surging,” to put it mildly, and it stands to reason that online scams aren’t far behind. This original research letter outlines results when investigators began shopping online for the blockbuster anti-diabetes and anti-obesity drug. Spoiler alert: If your patients ask about buying online, let them know the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and the World Health Organization all have warned about Internet imposters operating illegally.