STAT+: MAHA eyes tolerance as alcohol-related harms emerge 

I spent my Sunday at the beach in 94 degree weather, which I guess means it’s summer. It’s also a good reminder to share this old explainer from Slate, about what drowning actually looks like. Stay cool and hydrated, everyone!

FDA layoffs imperiling Makary’s bid to end conflicts of interest

Before he took over the FDA, Marty Makary publicly stumped for frequent, transparent meetings of independent panels that advise the agency on controversial regulatory decisions. But his bid for “radical transparency” may be in jeopardy after recent cuts at the FDA have imperiled panel members’ ability to plan and run those meetings — and root out worrisome conflict of interests in potential committee members.

The trouble started in April, when HHS fired 3,500 workers at the FDA. Many members of the advisory committee staff, including the drug center’s conflict of interest team, have not been brought back. Meetings are being postponed and lawyers in the commissioner’s office are now handling conflict of interest screenings. One agency ethics official said, “He’s making these broad public statements but nothing has changed internally except for the lack of staff that would handle those issues.”

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