NIH test to predict diabetic foot ulcer recurrence; a multimillion-dollar Medicare and charter jet Ponzi scheme; Pfizer rebuked again in U.K. for COVID-era tweets – Morning Medical Update

New test could help predict diabetic foot ulcer recurrence

A new National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study suggests that measuring trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) at wound sites can help predict whether diabetic foot ulcers will return — even if they appear healed. Patients with higher TEWL were 2.7 times more likely to experience recurrence, highlighting the need to assess full skin barrier recovery to prevent complications like infection or amputation.

South Carolina man indicted in multimillion-dollar Medicare and jet charter fraud

Patrick Britton-Harr, 41, has been charged in two federal indictments for allegedly defrauding Medicare of $15 million during the COVID-19 pandemic and running a Ponzi scheme through his private jet company, AeroVanti. Prosecutors say he billed Medicare for medically unnecessary lab tests through Provista Health, including for deceased patients, and later misused $15 million in member funds meant to purchase jets for personal luxury expenses. He faces multiple counts of health care fraud, money laundering and wire fraud.

Pfizer rebuked again in U.K. for COVID-era tweets

The U.K.’s pharmaceutical advertising watchdog has ruled that Pfizer violated industry rules by promoting unapproved COVID-19 vaccine claims in tweets dating back to November 2020. The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) found that Pfizer’s official account and a senior U.K. employee shared posts that misled the public and brought discredit to the industry — its second such violation tied to pandemic-era messaging. Despite assurances after a 2024 ruling to remove problematic content, the PMCPA said Pfizer failed to follow through. More here from Fierce Pharma.