A Medical Dispatch for Well Beings
Volume 5, Number 2 | March 2023
Dear Private Medical Members,
The field of medicine is undergoing a slow, but active transformation – and I am excited to be in the thick of it. Private Medical has been innovating and testing new diagnostics, apps, services, and wearables for more than 20 years. The pace of change is accelerating and, rest assured, we are looking at everything.
In tech-world they say, “move fast and break things.” But here in healthcare, we say, “move slow and don’t harm people.” Unlike the medical podcast jockeys — who often are not actually taking care of people — the medical teams at Private Medical are diligently and thoughtfully evaluating the science, the scientists, and the results. If we care about one thing, it’s safety and efficacy. Our goal is to filter the hype and the noise — which is only getting louder. We are in the bottom of the first inning when it comes to longevity science and we are clear-eyed when it comes to “fascinating claims.”
The Private Medical Innovation Council is always in search of great science. We meet regularly to interview scientists and interrogate science as part of a stringent due-diligence process (more on that below). As we continue on our journey to understand what is real and what is not ready for prime time, we will share our findings and our perspectives.
In this issue, we also explore how to be a better consumer when it comes to your health. We speak with David Light, founder and CEO of Valisure, the independent lab known for finding carcinogens in drugs like Zantac and everyday products like hand sanitizer and antiperspirants. He illuminates the regulation, testing, and supply chain issues that can lead to chemicals in our pharmaceuticals. After that, we hear from Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, who is changing the way we think about attention by using his Eye-Sync technology to better understand and treat impairments stemming from concussion, ADHD, dementia, and other conditions.
Also in this issue, meet our newest San Francisco-based internist, Dr. Christina Pham.
The Truth About Drug and Product Safety Lies in Independent Testing
In every issue, we interview experts from the Private Medical community, exploring the latest insights and questions about our everyday health. This month, we speak with David Light, founder and CEO of Valisure. Started with the goal of investigating batch variability in pharmaceuticals, the independent lab has found carcinogens in brand name drugs like Zantac, aerosols like antiperspirants and dry shampoo, and other everyday products.
In this interview, he discusses how medications and products are made, how and if they are tested along the supply chain, and the role of the FDA. Furthermore, he will illuminate how to be a smarter consumer as it pertains to your health. Listen to his conversation with Private Medical’s Dr. Jordan Shlain and Dr. Hela Barhoush on the Inside Medicine podcast, or read an adaptation below.
The Future of Neuroscience Is Prediction Timing
A set of AR/VR goggles is changing the way we measure attention, learning, and performance.
Resources for Better Sleep, Reading Help, and Staying Human
Private Medical’s pediatricians weigh in on the future of tech for our developing kids.
The Latest on This Viral Season
Our infectious disease expert, Dr. Geemee Chung, updates us on avoiding norovirus, lingering respiratory illnesses, and the easier COVID winter.
