More Vertical Integration, Microplastics In The Brain, And AI Outperforms Doctors

Hey all,

I missed yesterday’s round up due to a medical appointment and Bowie’s school being delayed for a couple inches of snow. Yesterday’s study in Nature on microplastics caught my attention. It’ll be interesting to see in the next ten years what we learn about how destructive plastics are for our environment, including our bodies. Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroRX)

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(Drug Channels) Vertical Integration in Pharmaceutical Wholesaling

The three largest pharmaceutical wholesalers—Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson—are leveraging vertical integration to expand their influence beyond drug distribution, particularly in the buy-and-bill market for provider-administered drugs. This strategy has strengthened their control over downstream customers and allowed them to capitalize on private equity roll-ups to gain ownership stakes in practice management companies. These developments have significant implications for market access, particularly for biosimilars, as wholesalers increasingly shape the competitive landscape. Full Article + Video

(Nature Medicine) Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in Human Brains

A recent study has confirmed the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human brain, liver, and kidney tissues, with the highest accumulation observed in the brain. Using advanced analytical methods, researchers identified polyethylene as the predominant polymer, with increasing concentrations detected over time, particularly in brain samples from 2024 compared to 2016. Notably, individuals with dementia exhibited significantly higher MNP levels, especially in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells, raising concerns about potential neurological impacts. Full Article

(The New York Times) A.I. in Medicine Forces Rethinking the Doctor’s Role

 A recent MIT-Harvard study found that physicians often undervalue A.I.’s diagnostic input, leading to lower accuracy than when A.I. works independently. This suggests that simply integrating A.I. into medical practice doesn’t automatically improve outcomes, as doctors remain hesitant to fully trust it. Researchers propose a new division of labor where A.I. handles specific tasks—such as analyzing data or screening routine cases—while physicians focus on patient interaction and complex cases. Early studies, including trials in Denmark and Sweden, show that A.I. can improve cancer detection and reduce workload, but widespread adoption raises concerns about liability, regulation, and medical training. Full Article