What We’re Reading: Pfizer Buying Global Blood Therapeutics; Preventive Care Threatened; Monkeypox Vaccine Strategy Updated

Pfizer to Purchase Global Blood Therapeutics

Under the deal, Pfizer will pay $5.4 billion, or $68.50 per share, to purchase Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), The Wall Street Journal reports. With GBT having one of few approved sickle cell disease treatments, this deal will give Pfizer a presence in the rare disease treatment space and help the company reach its longtime goal to sell treatments for the rare blood condition. GBT’s sickle cell drug, voxelotor (Oxbryta), was approved by the FDA in 2019, and the company currently has 2 sickle cell drugs in development.

Lawsuit Targets Preventive Care Coverage Under ACA

Kelley v Becerra, currently before a federal judge in Texas, threatens a provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that protects co-pay–free preventive care coverage under most health care plans. NPR reports that if the judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs, access to free birth control, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, cancer screenings, vaccines, counseling for certain conditions, and many other preventive care services will be at risk. According to the plaintiffs, ACA preventive care mandates violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, meanwhile doctors argue that eliminating the provision will reduce access to colon cancer and chronic disease screenings, vaccinations, contraceptives, and many other services.

FDA Adjusts Monkeypox Vaccine Strategy

Today, the Biden administration will announce a new FDA strategy to increase the number of Americans vaccinated against monkeypox by 5 times using a limited supply, The Washington Post reports. Under the new strategy, vaccine doses will be administered via intradermal injection rather than subcutaneously. According to the FDA, this method will only require one-fifth of the original dosage amount and will not compromise safety or efficacy. This announcement comes as monkeypox cases reach nearly 9000 in the United States, according to the CDC.