Medical Economics Pulse, April 4, 2025: CMS Director Oz, autoinjector factory in South Carolina, rural independent practice declines

Hello and welcome to Medical Economics Pulse, a quick-hitting news podcast that keeps busy physicians in the know. We offer concise updates on the most important developments affecting your practice, your bottom line, and the broader health care landscape, delivered to you by our editorial team at Medical Economics.

It’s Friday April 4, 2025, and here are today’s headlines:

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former television host, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), succeeding Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. While some applaud his communication skills and medical background, others voice strong concern over his history of promoting non-evidence-based treatments and his alignment with controversial policy positions. Pharmacy stakeholders, like the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, see Oz’s appointment as an opportunity to push for reform of pharmacy benefit managers and chronic disease prevention, while critics warn of potential threats to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

On the innovation front, there’s a big move in South Carolina. SHL Medical has officially opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Charleston. The site will specialize in advanced drug delivery systems, including autoinjectors, a growing market driven by the surge in biologics. The new 360,000-square-foot facility, representing a $220 million investment, is designed to manufacture SHL Medical’s autoinjectors used in the treatment of endocrine and metabolic disorders — including GLP-1 therapies — as well as dermatology, musculoskeletal diseases, and other therapeutic areas. This facility also signals a reshoring trend — bringing manufacturing closer to U.S. health care markets, reducing supply chain delays, and potentially improving access and cost-efficiency.

Finally, the independent physician practice is quietly vanishing from the heart of rural America. According to a recent report from the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI), rural areas are seeing a steady decline in small, physician-owned practices. What’s driving this? Financial strain, staffing shortages, and increasing administrative burdens have forced many doctors to either retire early or join larger health systems. For communities already grappling with limited access to care, this shift widens the health care gap, particularly in primary care and preventive services. As this situation gets worse, the medical community may turn to advocacy and push for policies that preserve autonomy and access in these underserved areas.

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