Viagra ethics, breast cancer screening, ending viral hepatitis, and more

May 21, 2023 Check out STAT+

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By Torie Bosch Editor, First Opinion

It's been a busy week at First Opinion. Famed bioethicist Arthur L. Caplan writes about how he helped Pfizer think through the ethical dilemmas presented by Viagra, which was approved by the FDA 25 years ago this spring. Antonio Capone Jr. writes about a new drug that should change the way eye care doctors work together. Chelsea Clinton and Finn Jarle Rode of the Hepatitis Fund sketch out an ambitious plan to end viral hepatitis within the next decade. Plus, persuasive essays on fixing the physician shortage, malaria control in Africa, breast cancer screening, and much more. Have an opinion for or on First Opinion? Email me: first.opinion@statnews.com.

Adobe How I helped Pfizer think through the ethics of Viagra 25 years ago Pfizer executives were terrified that marketing Viagra might lead to all manner of sex-related controversy. So they called me for a consult. By Arthur L. Caplan STAT+ | A breakthrough drug will require big changes for eye care doctors The ultimate success of Syfovre, as well as the preservation of patients' vision, will depend on an effective referral loop. By Antonio Capone Jr. Chelsea Clinton: How to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 Despite important efforts, eliminating hepatitis B and C by 2030 will be impossible if donor investments don't increase. By Chelsea Clinton and Finn Jarle Rode CRISTINA ALDEHUELA/AFP via Getty Images China's complicated role in malaria control in Africa China will be crucial in facilitating the distribution of malaria vaccines across Africa. But its approach needs to be more transparent. By Julius Nyerere Odhiambo and Aaron Tavel and Carrie Dolan How Tennessee is creating new opportunities for doctors trained outside the U.S. Tennessee is the first state in the country to remove redundant residency requirements for top international doctors. By Jonathan Wolfson One simple fix for the primary care shortage: assistant physicians States like Missouri are giving patients access to more primary care providers and options while reducing costs. By Jeffrey Singer Adobe Fix the rural physician shortage by expanding support for resident training For Nevada and more rural Western states, changing general medical education is necessary to fix the physician workforce challenge. By Marc J. Kahn and Paul J. Hauptman How 'Lessons From the Covid War' falls short "Lessons From the Covid War" is lucid, sober, probing — and mirrors the national response it chronicles and critiques. By Richard J. Tofel Do chatbots have more time to be empathetic than physicians? An oncologist discusses the idea that AI, like ChatGPT, could potentially answer patient questions more efficiently than real doctors. By Torie Bosch Courtesy Heather Landy Starting breast cancer screening at 40 saved my life Reluctant to fit another appointment into my busy life, I almost didn't start getting mammograms in my 40s. By Heather Landy New draft recommendations for mammograms take a one-size-fits-all approach The new recommendations are supposed to maximize lives saved while helping to address inequities in care. Will they work? By Lydia E. Pace and Nancy L. Keating STAT+ | The U.S. needs to pressure India to improve drug safety It is time that the world demanded better of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, and it is the United States that should take the lead. By Dinesh S. Thakur and Prashant Reddy Thikkavarapu Adobe STAT+ | Compounding pharmacies offer a fix for shortages of essential drugs State-licensed compounding pharmacies should be able to provide urgent-use medications within tight regulatory guardrails. By Scott Brunner

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