Doctor Challenges Surgeon General Nominee's Claim About First Chronic Medication

A recent TikTok video by Dr. Rubin, MD, a pediatrician and allergist, challenges a statement made by Casey Means, the nominee for Surgeon General, concerning the first chronic medication. Means' statement, shown in the video, incorrectly claims the birth control pill holds this distinction. Dr. Rubin counters with historical evidence, citing the use of opium in ancient Egypt and Sumeria, willow bark (a precursor to aspirin) and digitalis (from foxglove) in the 1700s to treat heart failure. He highlights the significance of insulin's discovery in the 1920s. "The way that the current nominee for Surgeon General is speaking is very conspiratorial and also incorrect," Dr. Rubin states in the video. The video's correction of a prominent figure's statement makes it a valuable contribution to public health discourse and a suitable topic for a news report. The historical context provided by Dr. Rubin adds educational value, underscoring the importance of continuous medical advancements.