Jason Ukman
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jasonukman.bsky.social
Jason Ukman
@jasonukman.bsky.social
2K followers 340 following 670 posts
Editor at @statnews.bsky.social
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jasonukman.bsky.social
At least 18 brand-name drugs on TrumpRx have cheaper generics available via GoodRx or Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs.

www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
TrumpRx claims to offer the lowest prices. But many drugs have cheaper generics
STAT analysis: Many of the prescription drugs on TrumpRx are available elsewhere as cheaper generics.
www.statnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:18 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Is TrumpRx going to show you the best possible deal on prescription drugs? Oftentimes not if you're willing to get a generic. That, plus lots of other expert analysis in this sharp
@statnews.com story.

www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
TrumpRx claims to offer the lowest prices. But many drugs have cheaper generics
STAT analysis: Many of the prescription drugs on TrumpRx are available elsewhere as cheaper generics.
www.statnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by Jason Ukman
helenbranswell.bsky.social
China criticized the US for withdrawing from #WHO on Friday, during a meeting of the WHO executive board. A Chinese representative said the US was putting domestic politics ahead of international law. A North Korea rep said the US should pay its unpaid bills. www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/c...
China criticizes U.S. for WHO pullout, accusing it of sidestepping international law
China criticized the United States for withdrawing from the WHO, saying countries should not place domestic politics ahead of international law.
www.statnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:49 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
The basics: What to know about TrumpRx, the Trump administration’s prescription drug platform.

Via @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/t...
What to know about TrumpRx, the Trump administration’s prescription drug platform
This evening President Trump is planning to launch TrumpRx, the website that he's touted for months as a platform aimed at lowering prescription drug prices.
www.statnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:04 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Inside HHS’ anti-fraud efforts: An aggressive crackdown sweeps up mainly Democratic-led states.

Via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/h...
Inside HHS’ anti-fraud efforts: An aggressive crackdown sweeps up mainly Democratic-led states
As it seeks to crack down on health care fraud, the Trump administration has put entire states in its crosshairs, notably those with Democratic leadership.
www.statnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Jason Ukman
lizzylawrence.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: Trump administration officials vetoed the FDA's plan to fast-track the review of Compass's psychedelic treatment for severe depression, STAT has learned. The move signals a possible disconnect between senior White House leadership and MAHA.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/p...
Trump administration officials blocked FDA effort to fast-track review of psychedelic treatment
Trump administration officials vetoed the FDA's plan to fast-track the review of a psychedelic treatment for severe depression, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:39 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Exclusive: Trump administration officials blocked FDA effort to fast-track review of psychedelic treatment. Via @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/p...
Trump administration officials blocked FDA effort to fast-track review of psychedelic treatment
Trump administration officials vetoed the FDA's plan to fast-track the review of a psychedelic treatment for severe depression, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Jason Ukman
sarah-todd.bsky.social
A small but intriguing randomized trial suggests getting immunotherapy in the AM is better for cancer patients:

www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/c...
Do mornings make cancer immunotherapy more effective? Study: Maybe
A curious phenomenon seen by oncologists, that morning patients do better than those receiving afternoon infusions, gains credence in a clinical trial.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:16 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Llama farms, outer space, and the 1990s make it into the lede of this @statnews.com story about Alzheimer's drug development.
Why Bristol Myers Squibb believes a decades-old drug can treat Alzheimer’s
Why Bristol Myers Squibb is banking on a decades-old drug to help secure its future.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
As male birth control gets closer to reality, men are lining up for clinical trials. Via @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/m...
As male birth control gets closer to reality, men are lining up for clinical trials
It was long believed that men wouldn't reliably use birth control, but many are signing up for clinical trials of experimental male contraceptives.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:08 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Important story: America's early-career scientists have big dreams — and now big worries that, in the current climate, they won't be able to realize them.

Via @jonathanwosen.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
Tenuous biomedical funding has put first-year Ph.D. students in a bind
First-year biomedical graduate students across the country said labs have been hesitant to take them in due to a tenuous funding environment
www.statnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:11 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
NEW: RFK Jr.'s allies on vaccine policies are already on the move in statehouses across the country, seeking to roll back school entry requirements and expand exemptions.

Via @danielpayne.bsky.social @isabellacueto.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/v...
With new vaccine schedule secured, RFK Jr. allies head to statehouses
The overhaul of the federal vaccine schedule sent shockwaves through American health care. Now battles over vaccine laws are moving to statehouses across the country.
www.statnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Not to be overlooked in this @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social scoop: Patrick Soon-Shiong says he has met with WH's Susie Wiles, RFK Jr., and FDA's Marty Makary as he seeks to expand the approval for his company's cancer drug.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/i...
ImmunityBio’s Soon-Shiong mischaracterized talks with FDA over cancer drug, sources say
ImmunityBio Chairman Patrick Soon-Shiong mischaracterized talks with the FDA over the company's cancer drug, sources say.
www.statnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Jason Ukman
alexhogan.bsky.social
You can buy a whole host of sketchy drugs at many gas stations. I wondered why gas stations, of all places, were the premier destination for people seeking quasi-legal recreational (or knockoff pharmaceutical) drugs. I dig into why in this week's @statnews.com STATus Report. youtu.be/4QsVjgIWVZs
January 28, 2026 at 2:31 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
With 789 cases, the ongoing South Carolina measles outbreak is now bigger than the West Texas outbreak of 2025.

dph.sc.gov/news/tuesday...
TUESDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 89 New Measles Cases in Upstate, Bringing Outbreak total to 789, Additional School Exposures | South Carolina Department of Public Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Jan. 27, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 89 new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of ca...
dph.sc.gov
January 27, 2026 at 6:40 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
A doctor who was once an undocumented immigrant writes about the experience of watching ICE operations today.

"When immigration enforcement enters exam rooms...the health system itself becomes collateral damage."

www.statnews.com/2026/01/27/i...
I was an undocumented immigrant. Now I’m a doctor watching the immigration crackdown keep my patients from seeking care
Public health and immigration enforcement cannot safely occupy the same space, a physician writes.
www.statnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Jason Ukman
sarah-todd.bsky.social
A dozen startups are working on diagnostic tools for endometriosis. An interesting caveat from one OB/GYN: "If every physician were trained in the signs and symptoms of endometriosis, a simple diagnostic tool likely wouldn’t be necessary." @theresagaff.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/e...
Endometriosis often takes years to diagnose. Startups want to change that
At least a dozen biotech companies are developing tools to diagnose endometriosis more easily.
www.statnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:56 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Bill Foege, a legendary public health figure who died this weekend, was horrified by the U.S. pullout from the @who.int and ACIP's tilt toward anti-vaccine sentiment.

Among his legacies: helping to eradicate smallpox.

Via @helenbranswell.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/25/w...
Public health giant William Foege, who helped eradicate smallpox, has died at 89
‘I wish we could have spared him from seeing that’: Friends of Bill Foege on his legacy, and his anger over anti-vaccination.
www.statnews.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Jason Ukman
danielpayne.bsky.social
CDC pauses billions in public health infrastructure grants to states

via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/24/p...
CDC pauses billions in public health infrastructure grants to states
The CDC has paused more than 100 grants to states and organizations to update infrastructure for public health projects.
www.statnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:34 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
In which @bobjherman.bsky.social and @danielpayne.bsky.social tell it like it is.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/h...
January 22, 2026 at 8:41 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Headlines these days are so full of surprising news it's tempting to become numb to them. But having the head of a federal vaccine panel questioning the importance of the polio vaccine, among other things, is definitely ... unusual.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/v...
Top CDC vaccine adviser questions need for polio shot, other longstanding recommendations
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, questioning longstanding recommendations.
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:47 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
President Trump is a believer in the importance of the polio vaccine. The CDC's top vaccine adviser, appointed by RFK Jr., isn't so sure.

Via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social @helenbranswell.bsky.social @danielpayne.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/v...
Top CDC vaccine adviser questions need for polio shot, other longstanding recommendations
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, questioning longstanding recommendations.
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:15 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
Smart interview of director of the National Cancer Institute, who tells @statnews.com things at the agency are more stable than they appear from the outside.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n...
Anthony Letai says NCI is more stable than perceived and is heading for a big year
Anthony Letai says the National Cancer Institute is more stable than perceived and is heading for a big year.
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:09 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
What RFK Jr.’s milk mustache says about the historic power of dairy in the U.S.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n...
What RFK Jr.’s milk mustache says about the historic power of dairy in the U.S.
Milk is getting an AI-assisted push from federal officials. Will other foods favored by MAHA get similar treatment?
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM
jasonukman.bsky.social
The U.S. is set to stiff the WHO on a very large bill on its way out the door.

"The cost [borne] by the U.S. taxpayer and U.S. economy [during Covid] — and since — has been too high as it is,” a State Dept. spox told @helenbranswell.bsky.social.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/21/t...
As U.S. prepares to exit WHO, it is stiffing the agency on a large bill
When the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO goes into effect Thursday, the world’s largest economy will be leaving the global health agency with a hefty unpaid bill.
www.statnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM