Taking aim at drug costs; analyzing heart risks; health care and climate change – Morning Medical Update

‘Outrageously high price’

It costs less than $5 to make a month’s supply of blockbuster antiobesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Why does pharmaceutical maker Novo Nordisk charge American patients hundreds to thousands of dollars for them, and more for the drugs in the United States than in other countries? Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, hopes to find out. He announced an investigation this month.

Cardiovascular disease risk assessment

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has posted a draft research plan on the use of coronary artery calcium scoring and ankle brachial index for enhanced cardiovascular disease risk assessment. A public comment period on the plan will run through May 23. Read more and comment here.

Healthy people, healthy planet

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has launched the new NAM Initiative to Accelerate the National Climate and Health Movement. The health sector generates 4.4% of carbon emissions globally and 8.5% of emissions in the United States. There already are dozens of academic, corporate and government partners for the plan.