Drug Safety

‘Do Your Own Research’ Has Been Hijacked

In medicine, “do your own research” sounds empowering, but too often, it becomes a shortcut to misinformation, fear, and false certainty

Apr 1, 2026

It’s Easier Than Ever To Get A Prescription Online. That Might Be A Problem

Online teleprescribing platforms promise fast access to medication. Critics say the model can bypass safeguards and leave patients in the dark about risks

Mar 26, 2026

Should Drug Companies Be Advertising to Consumers?

Aging means “becoming a target” of the industry, one expert said. After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans

Mar 2, 2026

Statin Side Effects May Be Overstated, But Data Transparency Questions Remain

A large Lancet review finds little evidence for most risks, but some researchers say limited access to the data raises questions

Feb 19, 2026

What I Wish More People Knew About ‘Safe’ Over-the-Counter Headache Medications

OTC painkillers are widely seen as safe. But frequent, unsupervised use can sometimes make chronic pain harder to treat

Jan 22, 2026

Living With Pain: The Human Cost of Inconsistent Generic Opioids

In response to a MedShadow investigation, patients describe how inconsistent opioid quality can turn daily life upside down, and why many are afraid to report it

Jan 13, 2026

Benadryl Has Been Trusted for Decades. Many Doctors Say It Shouldn’t Be

Diphenhydramine is linked to severe and sometimes fatal side effects, yet remains widely sold over the counter. Physicians argue that safer alternatives exist, and question why the drug is still so easy to buy

Jan 6, 2026

Inside the FDA’s Quiet Move to Weaken Drug Approval Standards

Comments from the Commissioner signal that the agency is preparing to reduce clinical trial requirements. Independent experts say the change may increase the risk of ineffective or unsafe drugs reaching the market

Dec 17, 2025

Hormone Therapy Just Lost Its Black Box Warning. Now the FDA Owes Women Clarity

The FDA must pair the removal of the Black Box warning with clear, visible prescribing guidance. Without it, women are left unprotected

Nov 18, 2025

What’s Really Inside Your OTC Drugs? We Don’t Actually Know, And Here’s Why

Most over-the-counter medications were never tested for bioavailability or bioequivalence, leaving key questions unanswered about how well they work

Nov 19, 2025

What to Know About Lynkuet, the New Hot Flash Drug

The FDA approved a second non-hormonal hot-flash drug in October. Here’s what the clinical trials can tell us about it

Dec 2, 2025

When the Neighborhood Pharmacy Closes, ‘Everything Changes’

From San Francisco to small town Colorado, pharmacy closures are leaving residents without easy access to care, and communities without one of their most trusted health lifelines

Nov 10, 2025

Zyn and Nicotine: What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You

Marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, Zyn and other oral nicotine pouches are hooking a new generation of users, and may be causing side effects not yet fully understood

Oct 16, 2025

Will Taking Tylenol During Pregnancy Harm Your Baby? The Evidence Is Complicated

A government warning has raised new questions, but the evidence is mixed and misunderstood

Sep 25, 2025

What Happens When a Drug Is Recalled?

The FDA’s drug recall system is meant to protect consumers, but inspection blind spots, manufacturing lapses, and slow communication can leave dangerous medications in circulation for months

Aug 27, 2025

The FDA’s Drug Adverse Event Database Is Now Updated in Real Time: Here’s How to Use It

Updates to the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) will be more frequent, but they don’t tell the whole story

Aug 25, 2025

When Insurance Makes You Try Cheaper Drugs First

The policy, known as step therapy, requires some patients to try lower-cost medications before insurers approve the treatment their doctor prescribed

Jul 21, 2025

Why Pharmacies Are Disappearing, And What We Lose When They Do

Pharmacists are vital to the safety of our medications and health system. But with rising staff burnout and pharmacy closures, the profession is in crisis

Jun 24, 2025

Medical Journals Have Flaws, But Government Oversight Isn’t the Fix

Peer review isn’t perfect, but it was designed to guard against government overreach, something Kennedy’s plan threatens to undo

Jun 13, 2025

Unannounced Inspections of Drug Manufacturers Could Improve Drug Safety — If It Actually Happens

In May, President Trump issued an executive order directing the FDA to conduct more surprise inspections of overseas drug manufacturing labs — a practice already underway but long hampered by logistical and diplomatic challenges

Jun 10, 2025