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Drug injection fades as smoking grows more common

February 12, 2026
Eros Dervishi for STAT

Drug injection fades as smoking grows more common, marking sea change in U.S. fentanyl epidemic

Experts view the shift from injecting to smoking as a promising development that could cut overdose deaths, mitigate the consequences of shared needles.

By Lev Facher


STAT+ | FDA's rejection of Moderna threatens to stifle broader vaccine industry

Experts say the FDA "moved the goalposts" on Moderna, creating "a destructive precedent that will undermine the future of vaccine development" in the U.S.

By Jason Mast


STAT+ | NIH redefines 'clinical trials,' dividing researchers 

The change on basic experimental studies involving humans, or BESH, is welcomed by some but raises transparency concerns.

By Ed Silverman



Photo illustration: STAT; Photo: FDA

STAT+ | The old Vinay Prasad never left. He just changed jobs

Regenxbio treatment joins a growing list of cell and gene therapies for rare diseases that have been rejected or delayed since Vinay Prasad's appointment.

By Adam Feuerstein


STAT+ | Paul Hudson out as Sanofi CEO

Investors had grown frustrated with Hudson's attempts to develop Sanofi's pipeline as the company looks to find a successor for Dupixent.

By Andrew Joseph


STAT+ | BridgeBio drug for genetic cause of dwarfism succeeds in key study

The company's oral medicine for achondroplasia showed stronger results than a BioMarin therapy in a clinical trial.

By Damian Garde


Jae C. Hong/AP

Opinion: Medicaid work requirements will particularly hurt unpaid caregivers

Medicaid work requirements need exemptions for unpaid family members who prop up our long-term care system.

By Emily D. Tisdale


Opinion: A Greek myth explains the biggest challenge facing oncologists like me

An oncologist on the struggle to extend life while preserving cancer patients' strength, function, and dignity.

By Gilberto Lopes


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