From erectile dysfunction to weight loss, how telehealth got hooked on drug-first thinking

Taking stock of the drug industry, from the lab to the medicine chest

October 6, 2025 Check out STAT+

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By Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer

Thumỹ Phan for STAT STAT+ | From erectile dysfunction to weight loss, how telehealth got hooked on drug-first thinking Telehealth began as a way to help patients access doctors, but has rapidly transformed into a way to help companies sell drugs. A STAT special report by Katie Palmer. By Katie Palmer STAT+ | With much to win (or lose), drugmakers and European officials bear down on major policy overhaul Proposals have far-reaching implications for patients' access to medicines and the pharma industry's bottom lines. By Andrew Joseph Opinion: Onshoring could threaten the resilient supply chain for biosimilars and generics Generics and biosimilars are already operating their manufacturing and supply chains to maximum efficiency with very thin margins. Onshoring threatens this. By Gillian Woollett Drew Angerer/Getty Images STAT+ | Skye's obesity drug fails in mid-stage study The drug, nimacimab, did not outperform placebo on its own, but the company said that it appeared to boost weight loss when used with Wegovy. By Elaine Chen CDC approves updated Covid-19, chickenpox vaccine recommendations Move clears the way for kids in low-income families to get access to Covid shots. A delay had previously blocked some shipments of shots. By Anil Oza and Chelsea Cirruzzo

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