Michael J. Fox on a Parkinson's breakthrough; attacks on the FDA; digital mental health snake oil; and more

April 16, 2023 Check out STAT+

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By Torie Bosch Editor, First Opinion

This week in First Opinion, Michael J. Fox reflects on a pivotal moment for Parkinson's patients. Plus: the threats to the FDA's authority, the ongoing Adderall supply chain woes, why it's time to retire the word "internist," and more. All of this week's essays are below. If you have an essay you think might work for First Opinion, send it on over.

Courtesy Filip Wolak Michael J. Fox: As a Parkinson's patient, I felt a little left behind by biology's century — until now When we started out, no one expected much from a "celebrity charity." Today, few would deny that we're moving the needle on Parkinson's. By Michael J. Fox The mifepristone debacle is just the latest blow in an ongoing assault on the FDA's authority The mifepristone ruling undermines the FDA's prerogative to approve or reject new drug applications, creating massive uncertainty. By Cartier Esham and John Murphy I'm a biopharma supply chain specialist — and even I can't find the Adderall I'm prescribed Even a biopharmaceutical supply chain expert can't find prescribed ADHD medication, thanks to the Adderall shortage. By Guadalupe Hayes-Mota Adobe 'Internist' is a confusing, outdated term. It's time for a new name Internal medicine is the cornerstone of comprehensive health care. But the label "internist" just confuses people. By Ryan D. Mire We need a way to tell useful mental health tech from digital snake oil Both the public and developers would benefit from a process that separates useful mental health products from the digital snake oil. By Thomas R. Insel Current heat warning systems are woefully inadequate in an age of climate change The U.S. lags behind in both recognizing the health risk of extreme heat and organizing the necessary resources and capacity to address it. By Ashley Ward Courtesy Deborah Ondrasik Why genetic testing should always be offered to children with neurodevelopmental differences The medical system is failing the rare disease community by vastly underdiagnosing genetic disorders in children with developmental delays. By Deborah Ondrasik

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