Drug policy: The year in review, and the year ahead

Rachel Sachs
Last year was an unquestionably busy time for health care news of all kinds. Media and policy coverage rightly focused on the many attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but it was also an eventful year in news for those of us who focus on prescription drug policy. In this post, I review five of the biggest drug policy developments of the past year, and look ahead to five issues I expect to make headlines in 2018.

Trump lumps all immigrants together at America’s risk

The absurdity of condemning an entire group because of the actions of a single member seems self-evident. If a left-handed immigrant commits a crime, no one would propose banning all left-handed immigrants. The real question is whether there is a causal link between the commission of the crime and either the substantive criteria or the processes of the particular program. No such link exists.

Did ancient irrigation technology travel Silk Road?

An ancient irrigation system along the Tian Shan mountains of China allowed the cultivation of crops in one of the world's driest cllimates. Image courtesy of Yuqi Li, Washington University in St. Louis.
Using satellite imaging and drone reconnaissance, archaeologists from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered an ancient irrigation system that allowed a farming community in northwestern China to raise livestock and cultivate crops in one of the world’s driest desert climates.

Van Essen receives Glass Brain Award

David C. Van Essen, the Alumni Endowed Professor of Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the 2017 Glass Brain Award from the Organization of Human Brain Mapping. The award recognizes lifetime achievement in using neuroimaging to advance understanding of the brain.

Viruses exacerbate disease caused by Leishmania parasite

Washington University School of Medicine’s Stephen Beverley found that viruses hidden inside the parasite Leishmania worsen disease caused by the parasite. Now, an evolutionary survey of the viruses in related parasites suggests that Leishmania’s viruses may have helped it make the jump from infecting insects to infecting vertebrates.

Year in review: Washington University wins some, loses one

It has been another year of achievement at Washington University in St. Louis. Seniors Jasmine Brown and Camille Borders both were named Rhodes Scholars, graduate Lizzy Christ was named 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year and researchers discovered tomb of a Maya ruler, explored the link between sleep and Alzheimer’s and found that babies are master social statisticians in disguise. Here, The Record shares 2017’s most-read stories in The Source.