Laurie McGinley

Washington, D.C.

Reporter covering health and medicine

Education: Syracuse University, BS in journalism

Laurie McGinley covers health and medicine for The Washington Post. She focuses on the Food and Drug Administration as well as cancer research and treatment. She was previously The Post's health, science and environment editor.
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Laurie McGinley

For Alzheimer’s patients, a new era of treatment brings hope and risk

A drug called Leqembi, which modestly slows progression of the disease, is expected soon to receive full approval from federal regulators.

July 7, 2023

FDA gives full approval to first drug to clearly, but modestly, slow Alzheimer’s

The medicine, called Leqembi, slowed decline by 27 percent over 18 months compared with placebo, a study showed. But side effects and cost are fueling controversy.

July 6, 2023

Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi backed by FDA advisers for full approval

Controversies surrounding the drug — involving safety concerns, the drug’s modest efficacy and its high cost — continue to swirl.

June 9, 2023

Medicare outlines plan to expand coverage for costly new Alzheimer’s drugs

The first drug potentially covered by the expanded plan, Leqembi, could be granted full approval from the Food and Drug Administration as soon as this summer.

June 1, 2023

    FDA considering first over-the-counter birth control pill

    Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration on May 10 unanimously endorsed making a contraceptive called Opill available for sale without a prescription.

    May 22, 2023

    Biden nominates National Cancer Institute director to lead NIH

    The NIH director position has been empty since Francis S. Collins stepped down in December 2021 after a 12-year tenure.

    May 15, 2023

    Who can donate blood? What to know about FDA’s new guidelines

    The Food and Drug Administration finalized guidelines for blood donations that do away with some long-standing disqualifications for gay and bisexual men.

    May 12, 2023

    FDA advisers back making birth control pill available over the counter

    The vote by the agency’s outside experts increased the likelihood that a contraceptive called Opill will be approved for sale without a prescription.

    May 10, 2023

    Birth control pills aren’t available over the counter in U.S. That could change.

    For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration is weighing whether to allow a daily contraceptive to be sold over the counter.

    May 4, 2023

    Lilly to seek FDA approval for Alzheimer’s drug that firm says slows decline

    The drug, donanemab, is the latest treatment to target amyloid beta, a protein that builds up in the brain and is a signature characteristic of Alzheimer’s.

    May 3, 2023