Patti Zettler
@pzettler.bsky.social
Personal account & personal views. John W. Bricker Professor of Law @ohiostatelaw.bsky.social, @osucccjames.bsky.social & Ohio State DEPC | Former HHS Deputy General Counsel & FDA Attorney.
https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/patricia-j-zettler
https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/patricia-j-zettler
Pinned
Patti Zettler
@pzettler.bsky.social
· Oct 9
New from @pzettler.bsky.social @reshmagar.bsky.social + me in @jhppl.bsky.social.
We describe themes driving historic FDA reforms, explain how what's happening under Trump2 is different + call for principles to guide FDA reform and activity across administrations.
read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...
We describe themes driving historic FDA reforms, explain how what's happening under Trump2 is different + call for principles to guide FDA reform and activity across administrations.
read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...
I have been off bluesky for a while - but this is a good reason to be back. Check out the latest from me, @reshmagar.bsky.social & @hollylynchez.bsky.social!
With thanks to the many folks whose work informed this piece, incl @rachelsachs.bsky.social , @sbagen.bsky.social @drjoshs.bsky.social...
With thanks to the many folks whose work informed this piece, incl @rachelsachs.bsky.social , @sbagen.bsky.social @drjoshs.bsky.social...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
“We can have an active, robust discussion as a group of medical experts spontaneously, and so we’re doing more of that,” Makary said of his preference for convening roundtables.
Guess what roundtables don't have? FACA requirements to occur in public with the opportunity for public comment.
Guess what roundtables don't have? FACA requirements to occur in public with the opportunity for public comment.
November 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
“We can have an active, robust discussion as a group of medical experts spontaneously, and so we’re doing more of that,” Makary said of his preference for convening roundtables.
Guess what roundtables don't have? FACA requirements to occur in public with the opportunity for public comment.
Guess what roundtables don't have? FACA requirements to occur in public with the opportunity for public comment.
Reposted by Patti Zettler
Ridiculous. So maddening.
Yes, complex. But there is NO doubt that antivaxx misinformation big part of problem.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Yes, complex. But there is NO doubt that antivaxx misinformation big part of problem.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says
Canada has lost its measles elimination status after nearly three decades due to its failure to curb a year-long outbreak, the country's public health agency said on Monday.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Ridiculous. So maddening.
Yes, complex. But there is NO doubt that antivaxx misinformation big part of problem.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Yes, complex. But there is NO doubt that antivaxx misinformation big part of problem.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
Seems like a good time to do a special issue of @jhppl.bsky.social on the Politics of Private Health Insurance. Call for papers will be out soon, so stay tuned. There’s seem to be, uh, a few politically relevant topics to discuss. @mirandayaver.bsky.social @adrianna.bsky.social
Republicans waged a relentless, decades-long campaign to privatize Medicare and Medicaid
They fought even mild efforts to expand public insurance
Now they are objecting to extending extra ACA subsidies, supposedly because money flows to private insurers
We are supposed to take this seriously?
They fought even mild efforts to expand public insurance
Now they are objecting to extending extra ACA subsidies, supposedly because money flows to private insurers
We are supposed to take this seriously?
November 8, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Seems like a good time to do a special issue of @jhppl.bsky.social on the Politics of Private Health Insurance. Call for papers will be out soon, so stay tuned. There’s seem to be, uh, a few politically relevant topics to discuss. @mirandayaver.bsky.social @adrianna.bsky.social
Reposted by Patti Zettler
For #adlaw folks: Due to logistical issues from the federal gov't shutdown, ABA Admin Law has replaced its usual fall conference with a shorter but free online event on 11/21. Registration is required, but it's 6.5 hrs of free, quality CLE on admin law topics.
events.americanbar.org/event/a13a77...
events.americanbar.org/event/a13a77...
2025 Administrative Law Fall Conference
events.americanbar.org
November 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
For #adlaw folks: Due to logistical issues from the federal gov't shutdown, ABA Admin Law has replaced its usual fall conference with a shorter but free online event on 11/21. Registration is required, but it's 6.5 hrs of free, quality CLE on admin law topics.
events.americanbar.org/event/a13a77...
events.americanbar.org/event/a13a77...
Thanks again to @stemcellnetwork.ca, and all the speakers, poster presenters, and attendees at #TMM2025 - was a delight to be part of this wonderful event!
(1/2) Day 2 at #TMM2025 was full of inspiration! 👏
👶 Alicia Racine & Mike Cogan shared their story from a world-first SCN lung trial
✨ Congratulations to Dr. Maria Cristina Nostro (Till & McCulloch Award) and Brandon Murareanu (Drew Lyall Award)
🔬 Plenaries, workshops, poster talks, and more!
👶 Alicia Racine & Mike Cogan shared their story from a world-first SCN lung trial
✨ Congratulations to Dr. Maria Cristina Nostro (Till & McCulloch Award) and Brandon Murareanu (Drew Lyall Award)
🔬 Plenaries, workshops, poster talks, and more!
November 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Thanks again to @stemcellnetwork.ca, and all the speakers, poster presenters, and attendees at #TMM2025 - was a delight to be part of this wonderful event!
Reposted by Patti Zettler
Perhaps relevant today, a framework for understanding how many election rumors mislead.
The 2024 election is upon us. Millions of ballots have already been cast. Mail-in ballots are being returned. Early voting is taking place. And dozens of rumors are spreading. So, let me re-introduce our framework for diagnosing how many “evidence-based” rumors mislead:
November 4, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Perhaps relevant today, a framework for understanding how many election rumors mislead.
It has been a great day at @stemcellnetwork.ca's #TMM2025!
And I'm looking forward to more tomorrow, including joining @jsnyder.bsky.social, @lr-bg.bsky.social, & @deanshamess.ca first thing, for a discussion on public trust in science and policy decisions.
And I'm looking forward to more tomorrow, including joining @jsnyder.bsky.social, @lr-bg.bsky.social, & @deanshamess.ca first thing, for a discussion on public trust in science and policy decisions.
Looking forward to presenting - bright and early - tomorrow at #TMM2025. I'll be talking about how how markers of legitimacy can be sticky - that is, hard to get out of the public domain and imagination - once they are in circulation. @stemcellnetwork.ca
November 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
It has been a great day at @stemcellnetwork.ca's #TMM2025!
And I'm looking forward to more tomorrow, including joining @jsnyder.bsky.social, @lr-bg.bsky.social, & @deanshamess.ca first thing, for a discussion on public trust in science and policy decisions.
And I'm looking forward to more tomorrow, including joining @jsnyder.bsky.social, @lr-bg.bsky.social, & @deanshamess.ca first thing, for a discussion on public trust in science and policy decisions.
100% (at least in my neighborhood in Columbus, maybe the only one with trick or treat tonight, instead of last night!).
I love kids. I have two of them. They’re amazing. However, kids are the absolute least self aware, clumsiest little puffins on the planet.
Please don’t drive tonight unless you have to, and if you do drive, drive super slow and pay 100% attention at all times.
Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻 💀
#PublicHealth
Please don’t drive tonight unless you have to, and if you do drive, drive super slow and pay 100% attention at all times.
Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻 💀
#PublicHealth
October 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM
100% (at least in my neighborhood in Columbus, maybe the only one with trick or treat tonight, instead of last night!).
Reposted by Patti Zettler
Thank you, @cidrap.bsky.social, for covering our new @nejm.org review of Covid-19, RSV, and influenza immunizations.
Check it out: cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/meta-analysis-covid-rsv-flu-vaccines-fall-provides-sea-data-showing-efficacy-safety
Check it out: cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/meta-analysis-covid-rsv-flu-vaccines-fall-provides-sea-data-showing-efficacy-safety
Meta-analysis of COVID, RSV, flu vaccines for fall provides 'sea of data' showing efficacy, safety
cidrap.umn.edu
October 30, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Thank you, @cidrap.bsky.social, for covering our new @nejm.org review of Covid-19, RSV, and influenza immunizations.
Check it out: cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/meta-analysis-covid-rsv-flu-vaccines-fall-provides-sea-data-showing-efficacy-safety
Check it out: cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/meta-analysis-covid-rsv-flu-vaccines-fall-provides-sea-data-showing-efficacy-safety
Reposted by Patti Zettler
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
👇👇
Now in @jama.com: @greerdonley.bsky.social, Lewis Grossman & I explain that these preemption cases, while specifically about mifepristone, have implications for FDA and state drug regulation, biomedical innovation, and patient access more generally.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Now in @jama.com: @greerdonley.bsky.social, Lewis Grossman & I explain that these preemption cases, while specifically about mifepristone, have implications for FDA and state drug regulation, biomedical innovation, and patient access more generally.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
October 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
👇👇
Now in @jama.com: @greerdonley.bsky.social, Lewis Grossman & I explain that these preemption cases, while specifically about mifepristone, have implications for FDA and state drug regulation, biomedical innovation, and patient access more generally.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Now in @jama.com: @greerdonley.bsky.social, Lewis Grossman & I explain that these preemption cases, while specifically about mifepristone, have implications for FDA and state drug regulation, biomedical innovation, and patient access more generally.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
My paper with @patentscholar.bsky.social on how AI increases plagiarism risk in student and academic writing, what law should do about it (nothing), and what schools should do about it (quite a bit) is now published in the University of Chicago Law Review
lawreview.uchicago.edu/online-archi...
lawreview.uchicago.edu/online-archi...
Plagiarism, Copyright, and AI | The University of Chicago Law Review
Critics of generative AI often describe it as a “plagiarism machine.” They may be right, though not in the sense they mean. With rare exceptions, generative AI doesn’t just copy someone else’s creativ...
lawreview.uchicago.edu
October 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
My paper with @patentscholar.bsky.social on how AI increases plagiarism risk in student and academic writing, what law should do about it (nothing), and what schools should do about it (quite a bit) is now published in the University of Chicago Law Review
lawreview.uchicago.edu/online-archi...
lawreview.uchicago.edu/online-archi...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
Excited to see this published as part of @jhppl.bsky.social's 50th anniversary edition! The balance between the role of the government and the private sector even in traditionally public programs has continued to evolve in ways which may become even more important in the future.
@rachelsachs.bsky.social & Allison Hoffman examine the government's changing role in health law, with expanding role of the private sector in public insurance & enactment of ACA. They argue that the government's regulatory power may be constrained moving forward. read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...
The Changing Role of the Government in American Health Law | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press
read.dukeupress.edu
October 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Excited to see this published as part of @jhppl.bsky.social's 50th anniversary edition! The balance between the role of the government and the private sector even in traditionally public programs has continued to evolve in ways which may become even more important in the future.
"The Dahlbergs feel it’s up to them to protect their two surviving children from vaccine-preventable diseases. They can’t rely on their government anymore."
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Absolutely heartbreaking.
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year, part of an organized, politically savvy campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law.
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, stripping away public health protections built over a century
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
apnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
"The Dahlbergs feel it’s up to them to protect their two surviving children from vaccine-preventable diseases. They can’t rely on their government anymore."
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Reposted by Patti Zettler
This is a fantastic, well-supported 3-year post-doc in our Division of Medical Ethics at Penn. Please share (and apply if interested!)
1/ Thrilled to announce that @pennmehp.bsky.social is recruiting for our NHGRI-funded postdoctoral fellowship in the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genomics. Please share widely.
Details at medicalethicshealthpolicy.med.upenn.edu/elsipostdoc
Details at medicalethicshealthpolicy.med.upenn.edu/elsipostdoc
Penn Medical Ethics and Health Policy | ELSI Genomics Postdoctoral Training Program
About the Fellowship
The mission of the 3-year Penn Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics and Genomics, supported by a training grant from...
medicalethicshealthpolicy.med.upenn.edu
October 23, 2025 at 9:45 AM
This is a fantastic, well-supported 3-year post-doc in our Division of Medical Ethics at Penn. Please share (and apply if interested!)
Reposted by Patti Zettler
This will be a test of whether key federal agencies (USDA, HHS, etc.) can work with academic communities, especially those with strong vet, med and public health schools, and with states and counties to solve this problem.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/h...
Bird Flu Is Back
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This will be a test of whether key federal agencies (USDA, HHS, etc.) can work with academic communities, especially those with strong vet, med and public health schools, and with states and counties to solve this problem.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/h...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
New publication from me: Henry T. Greely, Depopulation Hysteria, U.C. Davis On Line Law Review, 59:117-136 (Oct. 2025). I argue that the increasing drumbeat of concern about falling human populations is somewhat exaggerated but also threatens women's rights.
lawreview.law.ucdavis.edu/archives/59/...
lawreview.law.ucdavis.edu/archives/59/...
Depopulation Hysteria | UC Davis Law Review
lawreview.law.ucdavis.edu
October 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
New publication from me: Henry T. Greely, Depopulation Hysteria, U.C. Davis On Line Law Review, 59:117-136 (Oct. 2025). I argue that the increasing drumbeat of concern about falling human populations is somewhat exaggerated but also threatens women's rights.
lawreview.law.ucdavis.edu/archives/59/...
lawreview.law.ucdavis.edu/archives/59/...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
ICYMI, in a recent article in @jama.com with @dusetzinas.bsky.social and Thomas Hwang, we explored this issue in detail and argued that "not all combination drugs should be treated separately for negotiation purposes." 4/4 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
The Role of Combination Drugs in the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program
This Viewpoint explores the concept of pharmaceutical manufacturers reformulating drugs to avoid selection for price negotiation and the importance of distinguishing between biologically active and in...
jamanetwork.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
ICYMI, in a recent article in @jama.com with @dusetzinas.bsky.social and Thomas Hwang, we explored this issue in detail and argued that "not all combination drugs should be treated separately for negotiation purposes." 4/4 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Great take by @hollylynchez.bsky.social & @reshmagar.bsky.social!
"Public trust in authorities like the FDA is already depleted. Demanding that the agency greenlight more rare disease drugs, evidence be damned, will make this problem worse — and likely won’t leave rare disease patients better off."
"Public trust in authorities like the FDA is already depleted. Demanding that the agency greenlight more rare disease drugs, evidence be damned, will make this problem worse — and likely won’t leave rare disease patients better off."
In this am's @latimes.com, @reshmagar.bsky.social + I have an op-ed raising concerns abt pressure to approve rare disease drugs no matter how weak the evidence. Flexibility is reasonable but FDA approval must mean more than “this drug has not been shown not to work."
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: By loosening standards, the FDA isn't doing rare-disease patients any favors
It’s reasonable to assess rare-disease drugs differently. That’s why the FDA has been remarkably flexible about these approvals for decades. But some treatments just aren't any good.
www.latimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Great take by @hollylynchez.bsky.social & @reshmagar.bsky.social!
"Public trust in authorities like the FDA is already depleted. Demanding that the agency greenlight more rare disease drugs, evidence be damned, will make this problem worse — and likely won’t leave rare disease patients better off."
"Public trust in authorities like the FDA is already depleted. Demanding that the agency greenlight more rare disease drugs, evidence be damned, will make this problem worse — and likely won’t leave rare disease patients better off."
Reposted by Patti Zettler
"Tiburon could become just the third municipality in the country to ban all sales of tobacco products. The idea originated from a group of high school students in town."
www.ktvu.com/news/tiburon...
www.ktvu.com/news/tiburon...
Bay Area city moves to ban sale of tobacco products
California already has some of the strictest smoking laws in the country, but this North Bay town will become just the third city — after Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach — to go this far.
www.ktvu.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"Tiburon could become just the third municipality in the country to ban all sales of tobacco products. The idea originated from a group of high school students in town."
www.ktvu.com/news/tiburon...
www.ktvu.com/news/tiburon...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
FDA secures major win as SCOTUS lets stem cell clinic ruling stand ipscell.com/2025/10/fda-... #stemcells #stemcell RFK Jr.
FDA secures major win as SCOTUS lets stem cell clinic ruling stand - The Niche
Stem cell biologist discusses how SCOTUS declining to review FDA court victory on clinics affirms fat cells as drugs & implications.
ipscell.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
FDA secures major win as SCOTUS lets stem cell clinic ruling stand ipscell.com/2025/10/fda-... #stemcells #stemcell RFK Jr.
Great reporting by @lizzylawrence.bsky.social.
Great, insightful quotes from @reshmagar.bsky.social, @nathancortez.bsky.social & @rachelsachs.bsky.social.
Not great news, to say the least, for public health, innovation, or any of us.
Great, insightful quotes from @reshmagar.bsky.social, @nathancortez.bsky.social & @rachelsachs.bsky.social.
Not great news, to say the least, for public health, innovation, or any of us.
Exclusive: How political pressure is shaping the work of the FDA, from searching for autism treatments to heavily focusing on Covid-19 vaccine adverse events. Read for more details on how the leucovorin decision came about, in particular:
www.statnews.com/2025/10/14/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/14/f...
Inside FDA, career staffers describe how political pressure is influencing their work
Current and former FDA staff said the level of involvement of political officials in nitty-gritty regulatory matters is unprecedented.
www.statnews.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Great reporting by @lizzylawrence.bsky.social.
Great, insightful quotes from @reshmagar.bsky.social, @nathancortez.bsky.social & @rachelsachs.bsky.social.
Not great news, to say the least, for public health, innovation, or any of us.
Great, insightful quotes from @reshmagar.bsky.social, @nathancortez.bsky.social & @rachelsachs.bsky.social.
Not great news, to say the least, for public health, innovation, or any of us.
Reposted by Patti Zettler
For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
October 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Reposted by Patti Zettler
Extracting Drugs from Nature Is Hard www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/... @jonathanjarry.bsky.social
"The fact that a natural molecule has some anticancer activity when added to cells in a plastic dish does not mean it will be safe & effective when given to a patient"
Reality: most fail in human studies.
"The fact that a natural molecule has some anticancer activity when added to cells in a plastic dish does not mean it will be safe & effective when given to a patient"
Reality: most fail in human studies.
Extracting Drugs from Nature Is Hard
A video on Facebook with nearly one million views informs me that the avocado tree is a pharmacy in disguise. “Its leaves help regulate blood sugar,” the narrator says, “its seeds target cancer cells,...
www.mcgill.ca
October 11, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Extracting Drugs from Nature Is Hard www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/... @jonathanjarry.bsky.social
"The fact that a natural molecule has some anticancer activity when added to cells in a plastic dish does not mean it will be safe & effective when given to a patient"
Reality: most fail in human studies.
"The fact that a natural molecule has some anticancer activity when added to cells in a plastic dish does not mean it will be safe & effective when given to a patient"
Reality: most fail in human studies.
Terrible and terrifying news for all of us.
NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
October 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Terrible and terrifying news for all of us.