FDA’s ‘Operation Stork Speed’ to strengthen infant formula, supply; recognizing reduced drug use as a meaningful treatment goal; NIH’s diagnostic criteria for TSW, distinct from eczema – Morning Medical Update

FDA launches ‘Operation Stork Speed’ to strengthen infant formula safety and supply

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the leadership of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has announced “Operation Stork Speed,” an initiative aimed at ensuring the safety, reliability, and nutritional adequacy of infant formula in the U.S. Key actions include increasing testing for contaminants, reviewing infant formula nutrient requirements for the first time since 1998, and enhancing transparency in labeling.

Recognizing reduced drug use as a meaningful treatment goal

A blog post published on both the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website and in the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Weekly, highlights the need to consider reduced drug use as a valid treatment outcome, alongside abstinence. Research demonstrates that cutting back on substance use can improve health, lower overdose risks, and enhance recovery efforts. Expanding FDA approval criteria to include use reduction as a clinical endpoint could drive new treatment options and reduce stigma around relapse.

NIH defines diagnostic criteria for topical steroid withdrawal — distinct from eczema

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) as distinct from eczema, linking it to excess nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) levels in the body. Published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study suggests NAD⁺ blockers like metformin and berberine may help treat TSW symptoms. These findings provide the first clear diagnostic criteria for TSW, aiding in better recognition and treatment. More research is needed to confirm the role of NAD⁺ in all cases.