FDA Warns Medtronic; Intermittent Fasting Works; Osteoporosis Drugs & Depression

The FDA issued a warning letter to Medtronic over concerns about risk assessment, handling of complaints, and device recalls. There were a slew of recalls earlier this year for its pump controllers and the MiniMed 600 insulin infusion pumps. (Reuters)

The Endocrine Society is calling on the Senate to safeguard the Build Back Better Act, which would cap insulin co-pays at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries and those on private insurance.

Intermittent fasting, including methods like the zero-calorie alternate-day fasting, modified alternate-day fasting, the 5:2 diet, and time-restricted eating, yielded moderate weight loss, a drop in BMI, and improvement of cardiometabolic risk factors in people with overweight or obesity, according to an umbrella review of 11 meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. (JAMA Network Open)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an investigation into whether or not makers of puberty-blocking hormonal therapies indicated for premature puberty disorders — specifically Endo and AbbVie — have been promoting off-label use for transgender children. (FiercePharma)

For patients over the age of 65, use of the osteoporosis drug alendronate (Binosto, Fosamax) was tied to increased rates of depression and anxiety versus teriparatide (Forteo). On the other hand, zoledronate (Reclast), ibandronate (Boniva), and denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva) were all tied to significant decreases in rates of anxiety versus teriparatide. (Scientific Reports)

About one-third of fertility specialists in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. still recommend endometrial scratching, despite only 10% believing it actually improves fertility, according to a new survey. (Human Fertility)

In a review of 4,135 U.S. health insurance plans, Medicaid plans were most likely to require prior authorization for an SGLT2 inhibitor, while Medicare plans were least likely. (JAMA Health Forum)

The digital health company Hygieia, focused on insulin managment, announced it raised $17 million in funding to expand partnerships with endocrinology practices. (Pulse 2.0)