What We’re Reading: Potential “Disease X” Threat; Teen Pregnancy, Premature Death Risk; Bipartisan PBM Reform

Ramping Up Biodefense Spending Amid Concerns Over Potential "Disease X" Threat

The Biden administration revealed a significant portion of its fiscal 2025 budget is allocated to enhance biodefense capabilities in response to the looming threat of a hypothetical yet potentially catastrophic "Disease X,” according to Axios. With lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, increased funding will be directed toward early warning systems, diagnostic technologies, and antimicrobial development to strengthen national health security against future pandemics. The 2025 defense budget will designate $42 million to improve early warning of novel and emerging pathogens, which include those that have been deliberately engineered.

Teen Pregnancy Associated With Premature Death, Study Finds

A recent study found that the younger a person was when they became pregnant, the greater their risk of premature death is, according to The New York Times. Women who had carried teen pregnancies to term and those who had miscarried were more likely to die before reaching 31 years, in addition to having an increased chance of dropping out of school and struggling with poverty. Additionally, researchers of this Canadian-based study suggested that this study confirms our intuitive knowledge that there may be an age that is indeed too young for pregnancy.

Bipartisan Effort in Senate Targets Pharmacy Benefit Managers to Tackle Prescription Drug Costs

Bipartisan efforts are expected to include prescription drug cost reform, specifically targeting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), in the upcoming spending bill for the Department of Labor and HHS, according to the Washington Examiner. The proposed legislation aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and competition within the pharmaceutical supply chain to lower drug prices and improve patient access to affordable medications. With support from industry stakeholders and recognition of the critical role of independent pharmacies in patient care, lawmakers are poised to prioritize patient well-being over corporate profits in their pursuit of meaningful health care reforms.