UK committee criticizes delays in banning high-risk cosmetic procedures, and a wearable for personalized UV monitoring launches.
The Pfizer Bicillin L-A shortage left a Gila County, Arizona, woman with delayed syphilis treatment during pregnancy, increasing risks for maternal and infant health outcomes. These supply chain disruptions, alongside regulatory delays for cosmetic procedure bans, present significant operational challenges for healthcare providers and femtech developers. Policy and product development must contend with both treatment access and patient safety concerns. Five takes inside, plus a quick-hits roundup.
Pfizer's worsening Bicillin shortage prevented an Arizona woman from receiving timely syphilis treatment during pregnancy. The FDA approved Sanofi’s diabetes drug Tzield. The Trump administration proposed closing a Medicare negotiation loophole.
Read the full story →A national shortage of Bicillin L-A began in July 2025. In late March, a woman in Gila County, Arizona, diagnosed with syphilis during pregnancy, required an injection of Bicillin L-A to prevent complications. Public health officials submitted an emergency request for Bicillin L-A, Pfizer's sole offering, on Friday, March 27, but the medication had not arrived by April 7, resulting in a missed opportunity to prevent congenital syphilis. This highlights significant risks for pregnant patients with syphilis and the need for reliable access to critical treatments.
Read the full story →The90 launched The90 Gem, a $299 pendant-style wearable, to help women monitor real-time UVA and UVB exposure. This device provides personalized guidance, differing from conventional UV index data. The Skinny Confidential founder Lauryn Bosstick advises The90, illustrating the broadening scope of women's health wearables beyond fertility and hormonal health to include skin health and environmental exposure.
Read the full story →The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) published a letter from Health Minister Karin Smyth after the government missed an April 18 deadline to respond to the WEC’s report. The Department of Health and Social Care plans to consult on draft regulations in June, intending to issue a formal government response after publishing their consultation. This delay allows risky procedures like liquid BBLs to continue, impacting patients who seek non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Femtech operators should monitor the upcoming consultation for potential changes in regulatory frameworks for cosmetic procedures.
Read the full story →A retrospective cohort study of 387 postmenopausal women found women taking menopausal hormone therapy had about 69% lower risk of low bone mineral density in the spine and hip compared with non-users. This association remained after accounting for age, time since menopause, vitamin D levels, smoking, and other health conditions. This research implies a protective role for Menopausal Hormone Therapy in bone health for femtech operators.
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