In this episode, Steven is joined by Dr. Zameer Pirani, an interventional pain specialist and co-founder of the Afiya Spine and Pain Institute in Canada. Dr. Pirani shares his path to pain medicine, from early training in Ireland to his experiences with anesthesia and chronic pain fellowships. He discusses how the opioid crisis, gaps in the health care system, and the stigma surrounding pain patients shaped his career and passion for multidisciplinary, patient-centered care. Dr. Pirani also shares his insights on the challenges of treating invisible illnesses, building trust with patients, and why true healing requires listening, empathy, and a team-based approach.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode, Steven is joined by Dr. Zameer Pirani, an interventional pain specialist and co-founder of the Afiya Spine and Pain Institute in Canada. Dr. Pirani shares his path to pain medicine, from early training in Ireland to his experiences with anesthesia and chronic pain fellowships. He discusses how the opioid crisis, gaps in the health care system, and the stigma surrounding pain patients shaped his career and passion for multidisciplinary, patient-centered care. Dr. Pirani also shares his insights on the challenges of treating invisible illnesses, building trust with patients, and why true healing requires listening, empathy, and a team-based approach. Contact Our Host
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: <a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a>
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>
Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

The Health Advocates

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

S8, Ep 27- Reimagining Pain Management: A Conversation with Dr. Zameer Pirani

For people living with osteoarthritis, news about potential new treatments often comes with more questions than answers. In this episode of The Health Advocates, we slow things down to explain what it really means when a company submits a New Drug Application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Steven Newmark is joined by Erich Horsley and Dr. Yusuf Yazici from Biosplice Therapeutics to walk through this important regulatory milestone and why it matters for patients. Together, they break down what an NDA is, what happens during FDA review, and what patients should and should not expect while a therapy is under evaluation. The conversation also explores the current osteoarthritis treatment landscape, why progress in this disease has been so challenging, and what researchers mean when they talk about disease-modifying approaches.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

For people living with osteoarthritis, news about potential new treatments often comes with more questions than answers. In this episode of The Health Advocates, we slow things down to explain what it really means when a company submits a New Drug Application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Steven Newmark is joined by Erich Horsley and Dr. Yusuf Yazici from Biosplice Therapeutics to walk through this important regulatory milestone and why it matters for patients. Together, they break down what an NDA is, what happens during FDA review, and what patients should and should not expect while a therapy is under evaluation. The conversation also explores the current osteoarthritis treatment landscape, why progress in this disease has been so challenging, and what researchers mean when they talk about disease-modifying approaches.
Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S9, Ep 7- What an NDA Means for Patients with Osteoarthritis

This week on The Health Advocates, we unpack a series of developments that signal a pivotal moment in U.S. health policy. The FDA has refused to review Moderna’s new mRNA-based flu vaccine, raising questions about regulatory standards and the future of vaccine innovation. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched TrumpRx, a new prescription drug discount platform that promises savings but faces scrutiny over its scope and real-world impact.

We also examine new polling showing declining confidence in flu, COVID-19, and MMR vaccines, and the growing legal battle over changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule. With public trust, regulatory rigor, and patient access all in play, this episode breaks down what these headlines mean for patients — and why clarity and credible science matter more than ever.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

This week on The Health Advocates, we unpack a series of developments that signal a pivotal moment in U.S. health policy. The FDA has refused to review Moderna&rsquo;s new mRNA-based flu vaccine, raising questions about regulatory standards and the future of vaccine innovation. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched TrumpRx, a new prescription drug discount platform that promises savings but faces scrutiny over its scope and real-world impact. We also examine new polling showing declining confidence in flu, COVID-19, and MMR vaccines, and the growing legal battle over changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule. With public trust, regulatory rigor, and patient access all in play, this episode breaks down what these headlines mean for patients &mdash; and why clarity and credible science matter more than ever.
Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S9, Ep 6- Vaccine Crossroads: FDA Scrutiny, TrumpRx, and the Fight Over Public Trust

Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a major government funding bill that includes a wide range of health care policies, from telehealth extensions and hospital-at-home programs to long-sought reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers. But alongside those wins, the legislation also raises serious questions about the future direction of federal health policy.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what the new spending package actually does for patients, what it leaves unresolved, and why some lawmakers and advocates are uneasy about increasing funding for federal health agencies under current leadership. The conversation explores how these decisions affect access to care, drug costs, public health programs, and trust in health institutions.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers a clear, practical look at how congressional budget decisions shape health care on the ground, and why continued engagement and oversight matter more than ever.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a major government funding bill that includes a wide range of health care policies, from telehealth extensions and hospital-at-home programs to long-sought reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers. But alongside those wins, the legislation also raises serious questions about the future direction of federal health policy.
In this episode of&nbsp;The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what the new spending package actually does for patients, what it leaves unresolved, and why some lawmakers and advocates are uneasy about increasing funding for federal health agencies under current leadership. The conversation explores how these decisions affect access to care, drug costs, public health programs, and trust in health institutions.
Whether you&rsquo;re a patient, caregiver, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers a clear, practical look at how congressional budget decisions shape health care on the ground, and why continued engagement and oversight matter more than ever.
Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S8, Ep 27- Reimagining Pain Management: A Conversation with Dr. Zameer Pirani

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