And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is still shaping up as we weigh our options. So far, we plan to catch up on our reading, promenade with the official mascots, and motor briefly through the countryside. We have also scheduled another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? A dreary winter lingers in many parts, so perhaps this is a reason to enjoy the great indoors. If so, you could curl up in front of the telly to binge-watch a series or two, experiment in the kitchen with comfort food, or organize your closet. For those on this side of the pond who are looking for something more exciting, you could ready your taxes. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
Tracy Beth Høeg, the top drug regulator at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, indicated in her first address to staff that she will scrutinize antidepressants and the shots used to protect babies from RSV, STAT reports. Høeg told employees on Thursday that her top priorities include two issues she focused on in the recent past: evaluating the safety of antidepressants taken by pregnant women and of monoclonal antibodies that protect infants against RSV. She also discussed her interest in vaccine policy, and mentioned she would like to “bring that interest” into the drug center. Høeg has played a major role in vaccine policy, taking steps to limit access to Covid-19 shots and taking over vaccine surveillance efforts from career staff. She took over as head of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in December after longtime regulator Richard Pazdur retired due to concerns about politicization of FDA scientific processes. She is the fifth person to lead the drug center since the start of 2025.
Roche is seeking a buyer for one of its key antibiotics and plans to shut down manufacturing operations for the product by 2030, according to Euractiv. The decision to end production of Rocephin in Switzerland reflects rising manufacturing costs, falling prices, and intensifying generic competition. Rocephin is an antibiotic used to treat several severe bacterial infections, including meningitis and pneumonia, and is on lists of essential medicines kept by the World Health Organization and the European Union. The move comes as the European Union pushes to reduce reliance on Asian generics and relocate production closer to the bloc — including to Switzerland – under the new Critical Medicines Act. Roche is not the only European-based company facing pressure in the antibiotics market, which is unprofitable due to high-volume production. Last year, Danish manufacturer Xelia shuttered production of several key antibiotic ingredients.
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