@briankatcher.bsky.social
I’m a clinical pharmacist. My varied career led me to my fourth book project, a history of drug therapy and public health. Mark Twain is claimed to have said, “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.” It doesn’t predict, but it can inform.
F.D.A. Seeks More Oversight of Vaccine Trials and Approvals www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/h...
CDC committee members, some of whom are vaccine skeptics, are likely to recommend restricting the use of hepatitis B shots at birth or delaying them. The vaccine is credited by public health experts with nearly eliminating maternal transmission of the disease in the U.S.
Drug resistant tuberculosis is increasing. See my recent free Substack post for the history of Streptomycin, its clinical evaluation, and the ever-shifting political contexts in which tensions between drug therapy and public health have unfolded.
Former CDC Director Susan Monarez is a hero. We saw similar heroism in the 1940s. See my Substack post about heroism, including Edward G Robinson’s portrayal of the German Jewish scientist Paul Ehrlich. Here’s the official 1940 trailer:
youtu.be/F2IizeGvPT4?...
"On Tyranny" is a #1 NYT bestseller again. I wish the moment were different. But I’m glad the book is useful. And grateful for all the kind words about putting the 20 lessons to work.
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
