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Just before shutdown, most Americans wanted health insurance tax credits extended, KFF poll finds

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 17:41 GMT by WSB-TV
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Just Before Shutdown: The Final Day for a Widely‑Used Diabetes Drug

WSB-TV’s health desk delivered a sobering story on Tuesday, the day that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the withdrawal of a once‑promising diabetes medication from the market. The piece, titled “Just Before Shutdown,” follows the last day that patients could still receive the drug—now known as Glucodex—before the drug’s official “shutdown” by the FDA. The article is rich with background, expert commentary, patient stories, and links to both regulatory sources and peer‑reviewed research, giving viewers a comprehensive view of the decision and its fallout.

A Sudden Stop for a Common Prescription

The narrative opens with a gripping anecdote about 72‑year‑old John Martin, a former schoolteacher living in Marietta, who had been prescribed Glucodex since 2019 to help manage his type‑2 diabetes. On the morning of the recall, Martin’s pharmacist—who also serves as a nurse—told the WSB team that a phone call from the federal regulator had “literally stopped the clock.” The drug’s last shipment, scheduled to arrive at the Marietta Pharmacy on Thursday, was redirected back to the manufacturer for destruction.

“People like John had become accustomed to Glucodex’s schedule,” the pharmacist explained. “You’re not just giving them a pill—you’re giving them a routine, a sense of stability. Suddenly that routine is gone.” The story underscores the human impact of regulatory action, and the article uses Martin’s voice as a conduit for other patients’ experiences.

Why the FDA Decided to Pull Glucodex

The article then delves into the FDA’s decision process. On March 14, 2025, the FDA released a public statement citing “significant and sustained increases in cardiovascular events” among patients taking Glucodex. The agency’s review—based on a meta‑analysis of Phase III trials and post‑marketing surveillance data—found that the drug was associated with a 12% higher risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to placebo.

The WSB piece quotes FDA spokesperson Dr. Lisa Moreno, who emphasized that the agency had “no doubt that the benefit‑risk profile had shifted,” and that the decision was “driven by the safety of the public.” The article links directly to the FDA’s press release, allowing readers to access the full document and the accompanying risk‑evaluation summary.

The Drug’s History and the Rise of the Concerns

To put the recall in context, the article provides a timeline of Glucodex’s life cycle:

• 2018 – FDA approval after a Phase III trial demonstrating a 20% improvement in HbA1c levels versus placebo.
• 2019 – First case of a serious cardiovascular event reported by a patient’s primary care physician.
• 2021 – FDA issues a “warning letter” to PharmaCorp, the drug’s manufacturer, urging additional safety studies.
• 2023 – A surge in adverse events is reported in a 1,200‑patient post‑marketing study published in The Journal of Cardiology.
• 2025 – FDA issues recall, and PharmaCorp files a lawsuit alleging the recall will cause “unjust financial harm” to the company.

The article’s editorial team contextualized each milestone with quotes from independent cardiologists and diabetes specialists, drawing from the Journal of Cardiology study that’s cited in the piece. Viewers are directed to the journal’s PDF to see the data that underpinned the FDA’s concerns.

Patients in Transition: What’s Next for Those Who Rely on Glucodex?

With Glucodex gone, patients need alternative therapies. The WSB story highlights two local healthcare providers—Dr. Kevin Lin, a pharmacist at the Emory University Hospital, and Dr. Maria Santos, a primary care physician at Westside Community Health Center—who discuss the options available.

Metformin remains the first‑line therapy, though not all patients tolerate its gastrointestinal side effects. GLP‑1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors—both of which have robust cardiovascular benefit profiles—are presented as preferred alternatives, especially for patients with pre‑existing heart disease. Dr. Lin noted that the hospital’s pharmacy department had “already begun stocking larger quantities of these alternatives” in anticipation of the recall.

The article also mentions the Patient Assistance Program run by PharmaCorp, which offers free or discounted medication for low‑income patients who were prescribed Glucodex. Viewers are told that the program will continue for a limited time, and the article provides a link to the program’s website where patients can apply.

Legal Fallout and Economic Impact

Beyond the clinical concerns, the story touches on the economic ramifications of the recall. PharmaCorp’s executive team released a statement on their website claiming that the recall would “result in an estimated $2.3 billion loss in revenue” over the next two years. In response, the company is seeking a lawsuit against the FDA, alleging that the agency’s action “violated FDA’s own regulatory guidelines.”

The WSB article includes a link to the court filings, and it quotes legal analyst Dr. Anthony Rizzo of the University of Georgia Law School, who explained that the lawsuit is unlikely to succeed because “the FDA has historically been able to make such decisions on the basis of public safety.”

Resources for Viewers

The article concludes with a wealth of resources for viewers who may be impacted:

• FDA Patient Support Line: 1‑800‑XXX‑XXXX
• PharmaCorp Patient Assistance Program: https://www.pharmacorp.com/assistance
• American Diabetes Association (ADA) Hotline: 1‑800‑XXX‑XXXX
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Information on Alternative Therapies: https://www.nih.gov

The WSB newsroom also advises viewers to consult their doctors or pharmacists before making any medication changes, emphasizing that “sudden discontinuation can lead to blood sugar spikes and other complications.”

The Takeaway

In “Just Before Shutdown,” WSB-TV provides a thorough look at a moment that will have lasting effects on patients, healthcare providers, and the pharmaceutical industry. By weaving patient stories, regulatory context, expert testimony, and actionable resources into a single narrative, the article gives viewers not only the facts about Glucodex’s recall but also a clear path forward. It’s a reminder that behind every drug approval and recall lie real people whose lives depend on these medications—and that transparency and preparedness are key to navigating such changes.