Pfizer raises full-year revenue guidance by $1.5B: The drugmaker’s Q3 earnings represent a near-term win, but one quarter of strong performance won’t appease its activist investor for long.

Haleon debuts AI-powered screening tool for advertising: Marketers are failing to connect with diverse audiences. They’ll need to focus on AI-driven personalization to create resonant content.

Patients prefer AI-generated messages in their EHR: We unpack the results of new research that highlights AI’s ability to show empathy in patient communications.

Senators probe Pfizer, Eli Lilly about their D2C telehealth platforms: But we don’t expect a slowdown in Big Pharma’s push into direct-to-consumer sales. Here’s why.

Some health systems scale back telehealth offerings: But trimming virtual care too much may cause patients to flee to competing healthcare providers.

Novo asks FDA to ban compounders from making GLP-1 copies: The drugmaker argues Ozempic’s key ingredient is too complex to make safely, even during shortages. With patient access to affordable GLP-1s on the line, the FDA has a difficult decision to make.

AI dominates HLTH conference: We explore the most significant AI news from the event and examine why some health systems feel a sense of urgency to invest in AI.

Biden-Harris administration proposes expansions to the Affordable Care Act: Its timely proposal to cover over-the-counter contraception for free is a shrewd political play to sway undecided voters.

Blue Shield of California, Salesforce partner to streamline the prior authorization process: But denial rates are soaring. So, things aren’t going to get materially better since insurers are often better off denying expensive treatments.

Walmart rolls out same-day delivery for Rx, general items: The new service threatens struggling retail pharmacy chains, but we think Walmart’s main motivation is to capture customers for its membership program.

Adults over 50 don’t trust online sources of health info: Health and pharma marketers must re-establish credibility with older patients who are skeptical of what they see online.

CVS Health replaces CEO Karen Lynch: With its insurance arm, Aetna, failing to meet investors’ expectations, CVS’ decision to appoint a longtime pharmacy benefit manager exec as CEO could be just what the doctor ordered to start turning its financial fortunes around.

Bad actors flood the GLP-1 weight loss drug market: Until the cost of branded GLP-1s drops, illegal online pharmacies advertising falsified versions of the drugs will keep lingering.

Could in-store health clinics drive grocery sales? A new report seems to think so. But the broader challenges of the retail clinic business model will likely be too difficult to overcome.

How high healthcare costs affect consumer behavior: We detail what US healthcare and pharma marketers need to know to attract consumers and build trust in their brands.

Virtual mental health platforms launch AI companions: But some AI tools have a reputation for unpredictable responses.

Abridge reels in another $250M: The AI medical scribe market is heating up, but a market correction is likely forthcoming. Here’s why.

Healthcare stakeholders will increase digital health investments: But health tech vendors must deliver on key performance metrics such as clinical outcomes, cost savings, and user satisfaction to ensure they catch investment dollars.

Walgreens to close 1,200 stores over the next 3 years: The retail pharmacy chain will be hyper-focused on its surviving stores turning a profit. Between a decline in the customer experience and more convenient options emerging, that won’t be easy.

Consumers and doctors agree that pharma ads help patients: But marketers must still create ad campaigns that better represent patients’ real-life experiences.