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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper
@matthewherper.bsky.social
7K followers 700 following 450 posts
I write about medicine at STAT. This is biology's century. Every data point has a face.
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
usha.bsky.social
Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 1d
My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social
A flyer showing speakers and describing a panel discussion "Confronting Crisis" to be held 10.9.25 from 4:15-6:15 at 101 Rogers Street in Cambridge.
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 5d
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough, the State’s First Pertussis Death in 13 Years www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough Amid Rising Cases
A baby in Mississippi has died of whooping cough for the first time since 2012. The baby was less than two months old—too young for vaccination.
www.mississippifreepress.org
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 5d
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives

www.statnews.com/2025/10/02/f... via @statnews.com
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
Federal officials have approved another generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, a regulatory formality that quickly triggered pushback from anti-abortion groups and politicians aligned with...
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
mayakaufman.bsky.social
Maya Kaufman @mayakaufman.bsky.social · 6d
NEWS: The federal govt is sending NYC’s top disease control official to Arizona for a months-long stint at an Indian Health Service facility.

That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.

“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
rachelsachs.bsky.social
Rachel Sachs @rachelsachs.bsky.social · 7d
"[I]t all happened without it being clear to the outside world exactly what Pfizer had given up or what the United States has gained. (Much will depend on the details of the agreements laid out Tuesday.)" Pfizer described the agreement as "voluntary" and "confidential," exacerbating this challenge.
matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 7d
Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/w... via @statnews.com
Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal
The Trump administration’s posture toward the pharma industry has largely been driven by threats, and a tense negotiation over prices. On Tuesday, in the Oval Office, there was talk of friendship.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 7d
Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/w... via @statnews.com
Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal
The Trump administration’s posture toward the pharma industry has largely been driven by threats, and a tense negotiation over prices. On Tuesday, in the Oval Office, there was talk of friendship.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
rachelsachs.bsky.social
Rachel Sachs @rachelsachs.bsky.social · 8d
Now we have a fact sheet released by the White House. It does not provide clear answers to most of the Qs below. www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 8d
I'm sorry. It was not paywalled initially, but a paywall was put up and a decision was made to keep it. DM or email me and I'll send a PDF you can share.
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 8d
I mean, seriously?

Top FDA official spouts off about a drug on LinkedIn.

This is not normal.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/29/f... via @statnews.com
Top FDA drug regulator’s unusual criticism of a therapy gets Wall Street wagging
A top FDA drug regulator’s unusual criticism of a therapy on social media has Wall Street investors wagging.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 8d
Trump to roll out plan aimed at lowering prescription drug prices www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/t...
Trump to roll out plan aimed at lowering prescription drug prices
Pfizer will offer discounted prices on some of its drugs and avoid U.S. tariffs, in a deal with President Trump.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
megtirrell.bsky.social
Meg Tirrell @megtirrell.bsky.social · 12d
CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten today on RFK Jr’s approval ratings
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
rosebroderick.bsky.social
O. Rose Broderick @rosebroderick.bsky.social · 15d
My colleague @matthewherper.bsky.social with a great explainer on what the science does/doesn't show with tylenol and leucovorin.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/t...
What the evidence tells us about Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism
Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy increase the risk of autism? Can leucovorin help treat the condition? Here is what the evidence shows.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
jonathanwosen.bsky.social
Jonathan Wosen @jonathanwosen.bsky.social · 13d
Anthony Letai of Dana-Farber is the front-runner to lead National Cancer Institute, NIH's largest institute. Nice exclusive via @matthewherper.bsky.social and @angusrohan.bsky.social for @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2025/09/24/n...
Anthony Letai of Dana-Farber is front-runner to lead National Cancer Institute
A popular and respected scientist is reported to be in line to lead the nation's most important cancer research office.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 13d
Trump says Cuba has ‘virtually no autism.’ That’s news to Cuban doctors

www.cnn.com/2025/09/23/a...
Trump says Cuba has ‘virtually no autism.’ That’s news to Cuban doctors | CNN
Despite what you may have heard recently and contrary to what President Trump apparently believes, there is autism in Cuba.
www.cnn.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 14d
Great news!

Experimental gene therapy for Huntington’s markedly slowed disease progression in key trial www.statnews.com/2025/09/24/h... via @statnews.com
Experimental gene therapy for Huntington’s markedly slowed disease progression in key trial
An experimental gene therapy slowed the progression of Huntington’s disease by 75% after three years — study results likely to support the first approval of a genetic treatment for the condition.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 18d
Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”

In Q&A, Drew Weissman says vast literature shows Covid shots are safe, refutes claims from Retsef Levi
www.statnews.com/2025/09/20/d...
Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”
In a Q&A with STAT, Nobel winner Drew Weissman addressed concerns raised about Covid shots at a recent meeting of federal vaccine advisers.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
jasonukman.bsky.social
Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 20d
The head of ACIP, the CDC vaccine advisory panel, comes out swinging, in a big way.

Via @matthewherper.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/18/c...
Federal vaccine adviser says former CDC officials can’t be trusted unless they agree to ‘public debate’
The chair of a key vaccine committee that advises the CDC will strike a confrontational tone at meeting of the panel, according to a copy of his prepared remarks.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 20d
At the ACIP meeting, Kulldorff keeps going back to the story of the J&J vaccine. What he gets wrong is that I don't think a vaccine with that serious a side effect had a chance in that market.

Here is my story on that sad tale.
www.statnews.com/2021/12/17/t...
The tragedy of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine
Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine was going to be the shot for the world. Now, under the weight of a mountain of bad PR, one wonders if the world will want it.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 20d
HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/r... via @statnews.com
HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts
A meeting of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and anti-vaccine campaigner David Geier with leaders of the country’s most robust database that
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 21d
Ousted CDC director says Kennedy plans to change pediatric vaccine schedule www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/m... via @statnews.com
Ousted CDC director says Kennedy plans to change pediatric vaccine schedule
Ousted CDC director Susan Monarez told lawmakers that her boss, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told her he plans to change the childhood vaccine schedule this month.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 21d
CDC temporarily revokes remote work approvals for employees with disabilities www.statnews.com/2025/09/16/c...
CDC temporarily revokes remote work approvals for employees with disabilities
The CDC revoked permission for employees with disabilities to work from home, at least temporarily.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 22d
CDC has been ‘censored’ and ‘politicized’ under RFK Jr., former officials plan to say www.statnews.com/2025/09/16/c... via @statnews.com
CDC has been ‘censored’ and ‘politicized’ under RFK Jr., former officials plan to say
Two former top CDC officials plan to deliver fiery testimony about how RFK Jr. has undermined the agency.
www.statnews.com
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matthewherper.bsky.social
Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · 26d
A great column from @pharmalot on why the Trump admin's attack on direct-to-consumer drug ads may actually... work!!!????

www.statnews.com/2025/09/12/f...
Let the rulemaking begin: Why direct-to-consumer drug ads deserve a closer look
Direct-to-consumer drug ads deserve a closer look. Here's why.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
brittanytrang.com
Brittany Trang @brittanytrang.com · 28d
And if you're having trouble accessing this, try our new 10th anniversary subscription sale: 10 months of STAT+ for $10/mo:

marketing.statnews.com/stat-10th-st...
STAT's 10-year anniversary sale
Join us as we mark a decade of health, medicine, and science reporting and access award-winning journalism, discounted event tickets and merch, and more.
marketing.statnews.com
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Reposted by Matthew Herper
annaedney.bsky.social
Anna Edney @annaedney.bsky.social · 29d
This is an impressive list @statnews.com -- full of impactful journalism worth revisiting
www.statnews.com/2025/09/09/s...
10 times STAT coverage reverberated through health and medicine
In its first decade, STAT has led the way in charting seismic events in health and medicine. To mark our 10-year anniversary, take a look back at 10 of our most impactful stories.
www.statnews.com
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