News from NYU Langone Health

FDA panel recommends controversial treatments

NBC Nightly News

An FDA advisory committee is considering whether seven of the most popular peptides should be allowed to be made by specialized pharmacies, increasing access. According to Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, endocrinologist and clinical professor in the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at NYU Langone Health, although there is some animal data, there is no human data on the peptides they are studying today.

7/23/2026

FDA panel reviewing some peptides to consider loosening regulations for unapproved therapies

CBS News

FDA advisory panel voted to broaden access to at least one peptide during a two-day meeting discussing whether compounding pharmacies can fill prescriptions for some unapproved peptides. The meeting comes during a surge of interest in the unapproved therapies. Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, endocrinologist and clinical professor in the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at NYU Langone Health, told "CBS Mornings" that BPC-157 has only been tested in about 30 humans, as compared to the hundreds of thousands of patients GLP-1s were tested on. "Anecdotes are not evidence," Pessah-Pollack said Thursday, ahead of the panel.

7/23/2026

FDA Health Advisors Meet to Discuss Easing Restrictions on Peptides

WNYW-TV (New York, NY)

FDA health advisors are meeting to discuss easing restrictions on peptides. Although the substances have long been favored by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., they are not supported by FDA scientists. Purvi S. Parikh, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains that peptides are essentially amino acids that can tell the body to perform different functions. They can help with healing injuries or reducing insulin and inflammation, and some peptides are already being used and are well studied and FDA-approved.

7/23/2026

26 specialties’ top residency programs for research output, reputation: Doximity

Becker's Hospital Review

Doximity has released its residency program ratings, which score programs on both reputation and research output. The integrated plastic surgery program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine was ranked No. 1 in the nation for reputation. Other New York City institutions also received top rankings, including Hospital for Special Surgery for reputation in orthopaedic surgery and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for research output in radiation oncology. The ratings are based on physician surveys for reputation and alumni publications, grant funding, and clinical trial participation for research.

7/23/2026

Cardiologists Share 4 Foods That Seem Healthy But May Be Harming Your Heart

Verywell Health

Several foods that appear healthy may actually harm heart health, according to Nieca Goldberg, MD, cardiologist and clinical associate professor in NYU Langone's Department of Medicine. She warns that frozen yogurt can be as high in sugar as ice cream, and many granola bars contain as much sugar as candy bars. Dr. Goldberg also explains that coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol, and advises using heart-healthy fats like olive oil instead. The article also includes commentary from Alan Rozanski, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, on the risks of processed meats.

7/23/2026

Everything You Need to Know About Leg Veins—and How to Make Them Vanish

Marie Claire

An article on leg veins explains their causes and treatments, featuring expert commentary from Christine Chung, MD, a clinical associate professor and and a vascular surgeon at NYU Langone’s Vein Center. Dr. Chung states that veins in the legs have one-way valves that can weaken over time, causing blood to pool. She notes that spider veins are often a cosmetic issue, while larger varicose veins can cause aching and swelling. Dr. Chung explains that a sedentary lifestyle is a factor, as leg muscles are less active in pumping blood. For treatment, she suggests options like radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser therapy.

Also reporting was: MSN

7/23/2026

South America’s Drug Supply Is Rapidly Becoming More Synthetic

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A study in Harm Reduction Journal warns that South America's drug supply is rapidly becoming more synthetic, with a rise in opioids, ketamine, and Tusi ('pink cocaine'). According to lead author Ignacio Bórquez, PhD, of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, this is a significant shift from the region's traditional drug markets. The research, analyzing data from Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, shows a dramatic increase in synthetic drug seizures and use. Bórquez highlights that the continent's harm reduction infrastructure is underdeveloped for this new threat, suggesting a need for services like drug checking and naloxone accessibility.

7/23/2026