Dr. Niran Al-Agba

Mylan May Have Been “The Shot Heard Round the World”

U.S. Healthcare needs a revolution; ‘the shot heard round the world’ frequently refers to the opening shots of the American Revolution in 1775. The Big Pharma lobby is holding the American people hostage with their exorbitant ransom demands. Last summer, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, led by CEO Heather Bresch, overplayed their hand. Mylan came under fire for a 400% price increase in the EpiPen two-pack. This device is considered life-saving for children and adults with anaphylactic reactions to various food, insect, or environmental insults. Ms. Bresch insisted the significant price increase ($600-$700 for a medication which costs pennies) was justified due to the more ergonomic appearance of the delivery device and improved safety profile.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:23:39+00:00January 27, 2017|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: Affordable Care, Corporatization, Corruption, Epi Pen, Health Policy, Mylan, Transparency|

The Greatest Blessing

I often wonder who has been the greatest blessing to whom. A physician bears witness to the direct impact we have on the lives of other human beings. What a rare treasure to behold! As physicians, our journey is riddled with successes and failures. Yet, my love and dedication to this noble and rewarding profession is instantaneously revitalized when a young person wanders into my office and reminds me of a time when we overcame such insurmountable odds together.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T01:51:40+00:00January 17, 2017|Categories: Patient|Tags: Child Death, DIC, Mononucleosis, Patient Physician Relationship|

Let’s Make Vaccines Great Again!

How far should a medical director of a large scientific institution be allowed to veer off the path of mainstream medical science? A medical doctor employed at a large, prestigious medical institution has an obligation to his patients, his colleagues, and the general public at large.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T01:48:51+00:00January 11, 2017|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: Anti-Vax, Immunizations, Vaccination|

Mumps, Cheek Bumps, and Testicle Lumps

So what does this mean exactly? Most likely the mumps portion of the MMR vaccine is less effective in the Marshallese population in particular due to some genetic difference in their immune response. It is also possible this virus is “drifting” by changing a protein here or there or an H or N molecule as similar to the influenza virus. So all in all, there are likely small changes in the natural mumps virus altering the landscape for everyone; however those with Marshallese background are naturally more susceptible.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T01:42:27+00:00January 4, 2017|Categories: Patient|Tags: Immunizations, Measles, MMR, Mumps, Rubella, Vaccinations|

Does Life Expectancy Matter?

Health policy experts, IT executives, and politicians jumped on the ACA, HITECH, and MACRA bandwagon while clinging tightly to their misguided belief that more electronic records, ACO’s, care coordinators, administrators, pay for performance schemes, and other fads or gimmicks would improve health outcomes; it turns out one of the most fundamental measures of healthcare quality, our life expectancy, is no better than before.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T01:38:47+00:00December 20, 2016|Categories: Patient, Policy|Tags: Government Medicine, Health Policy, Life Expectancy, Metrics|

Nixing the Louse

Apparently, someone had purchased Nix, used it at home, put the nearly empty bottles back inside the box, and glued the top shut (in hindsight, there was a lot of glue inside the box top.) Sadly, I returned to the store, explained what had happened, purchased another two bottle package, and headed home for some “louse and me” time. Hopefully, you are laughing because I was not last night heading back to the store.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T01:30:46+00:00December 6, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Education, Head Lice, Parenting, Schools|

Sometimes We Are Heroes and Sometimes We Are Villains.

Every year when this child comes in for an annual check-up, I think back to the moments when I seemed like both hero and villain. This fragile infant recovered and has grown into a young man. It is important that physicians be intelligent, caring, empathetic, and work hard, but sometimes timing can make all the difference. While I do hope my future holds more days as a hero than a villain, this young man is a constant reminder for me to be grateful to those parents who place their precious children in my loving hands.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T00:55:34+00:00November 29, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Immunizations, Parenting, Patient Advocacy, Patient Physician Relationship, Pertussis, Vaccine|

How This Physician Grieves

As of Sept. 15, 85 children from 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have died due to infection with the flu during the 2015-2016 season. Piper Lowery, who was (continue reading →)

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T00:40:52+00:00November 8, 2016|Categories: Patient, Physician|Tags: Child Death, Grief, Influenza, Mental health|

What are the Barriers to Healthcare?

Photo credit: Katelyn Anderson Recently, Matthew Holt published a blog post from Jess Jacobs, on the Worst Healthcare Experience of her life. His notion to redouble efforts toward changing our (continue reading →)

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T23:24:10+00:00October 25, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Patient Advocacy, Patient Physician Relationship|

Surprises When Talking to Patients in Public

When meeting parents for the first time, a pediatrician often takes a thorough history. This includes the delivery of the child, illnesses and surgeries since birth, and a cursory history about health (continue reading →)

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T23:18:11+00:00October 21, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Humor, Patient Physician Relationship|