This week's expert commentary, collected by MedPage Today, covers a wide range of medical issues without a single unifying theme. The quotes nevertheless highlight persistent public health concerns, regulatory actions, and emerging therapeutic advances.
Several remarks focus on public health threats. Jeffrey Klausner of Herpes Cure Advocacy responded to news that the FDA warned Amazon for selling unapproved herpes treatments, saying the public should not be subject to "quack medicines." Jeanne Marrazzo, former NIAID director, called the federal response to the measles outbreak "extremely underwhelming and frankly shameful." Separately, Joshua Lieberman of the University of Washington noted that a rare fungal infection is appearing outside typical high-risk groups.
Other quotes point to both progress and gaps in care. Mohamed Khattab discussed a small study of radiosurgical capsulotomy for treatment-resistant depression, calling it potentially life-saving. Richard Rosen commented on optogenetic therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, noting that currently "we have nothing to offer" such patients. On the policy side, American Nurses Association president Jennifer Mensik Kennedy said there should be more nurses in office, referencing 18 nurses running for Congress.
The remaining comments address hospital safety and pediatric asthma. Sanjay Saint noted hospitals are increasingly avoiding unnecessary catheter placement, while Brian Jenssen urged clinicians to ask about vaping in addition to smoking when assessing children with asthma. Together, the quotes reflect a field balancing caution, innovation, and advocacy.