WHO is finalizing a new treaty that prepares for the next pandemic − but the US isn’t signing

The US withdrew from treaty negotiations on President Trump’s first day in office.

Nicole Hassoun, Professor of Philosophy, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
May 22, 2025 ~7 min

Will AI revolutionize drug development? Researchers explain why it depends on how it’s used

Researchers have applied AI to every step of the drug development process. But this might not be enough to design safe and effective drugs.

Christian Macedonia, Adjunct Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan • conversation
Jan. 3, 2025 ~9 min


Vaccine misinformation distorts science – a biochemist explains how RFK Jr. and his lawyer’s claims threaten public health

Many claims about the dangers of vaccines come from misrepresenting scientific research papers.

Mark R. O'Brian, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry, University at Buffalo • conversation
Dec. 17, 2024 ~9 min

Drug prices improved under Biden-Harris and Trump − but not for everyone, and not enough

Both Trump and Harris seek to lower drug costs for patients. What headway have they made on realizing this goal?

C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut • conversation
Sept. 26, 2024 ~10 min

Horseshoe crab blood is vital for testing intravenous drugs, but new synthetic alternatives could mean pharma won't bleed this unique species dry

Horseshoe crabs play a unique role in medicine, but they’re also ecologically important in their home waters along the Atlantic coast. Can regulators balance the needs of humans and nature?

Jolie Crunelle, Master's Degree Student in Science, Technology, and Public Policy, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Oct. 12, 2023 ~10 min

'From Magic Mushrooms to Big Pharma' – a college course explores nature's medicine cabinet and different ways of healing

An anthropology course explores how peoples and cultures around the world use nature-based medicines to heal.

Heather McIlvaine-Newsad, Professor of Anthropology, Western Illinois University • conversation
June 9, 2023 ~6 min

Antibiotic resistance is at a crisis point – government support for academia and Big Pharma to find new drugs could help defeat superbugs

If no action is taken to address antibiotic resistance, infections from multidrug-resistant bacteria could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050.

Andre Hudson, Professor and Head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Oct. 29, 2021 ~9 min

New gene therapies may soon treat dozens of rare diseases, but million-dollar price tags will put them out of reach for many

New payment models may mean more of the people who need these treatments can get them.

Kevin Doxzen, Hoffmann Postdoctoral Fellow, Arizona State University • conversation
Aug. 31, 2021 ~8 min


The FDA’s weak drug manufacturing oversight is a potentially deadly problem

COVID-19 has exacerbated a backlog of domestic and foreign drug manufacturing inspections that the FDA is still too short-staffed to adequately deal with.

C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut • conversation
June 23, 2021 ~9 min

The price of a drug should be based on its therapeutic benefits – not just what the market will bear

'Orphan drugs' with high price points are being tested as treatments for COVID-19. There's a better way to spur low-cost innovation for new drugs.

Nicole Hassoun, Professor of Philosophy, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
Jan. 13, 2021 ~9 min

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