Reuters - Health Report

Click to View in Browser

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Veiled marketing: Anti-smoking groups slam Indonesia's Big Tobacco

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Anti-smoking groups in Indonesia have slammed Big Tobacco for promoting sales by giving retailers cash rewards, shopping vouchers and even money to renovate, urging authorities to enforce advertising curbs to safeguard public health.

FDA approves leukemia treatment developed by Celgene, Agios

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday approved Celgene Corp and Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc's oral treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with a rare genetic mutation.

Anthem to cut back Obamacare plan offerings in California

(Reuters) - U.S. health insurer Anthem Inc is pulling back from 16 of 19 pricing regions in California where it offered Obamacare options this year, state officials said on Tuesday.

Senate plans September hearings on health insurance market

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. Senate health committee on Tuesday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to drop his threat to cut government subsidy payments to insurers that make Obamacare plans affordable and allow the payments through September.

Pfizer delays major M&A as it awaits U.S. tax reform clarity

(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc's chief executive said on Tuesday he would prefer to wait for clarity on U.S. tax reform before engaging in any big deals in order to get a better understanding of any potential acquisition target's value.

League considering working with NFLPA on marijuana study

(The Sports Xchange) - The NFL has reached out to the NFL Players' Association in hopes of joining its study of using marijuana as a potential pain management tool for the league's ailing players, according to The Washington Post.

AstraZeneca gets breakthrough status for blood cancer drug

LONDON (Reuters) - AstraZeneca said on Tuesday that U.S. regulators had awarded its blood cancer drug acalabrutinib "breakthrough" status for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer.

Community Health revenue falls about 10 percent on weak patient volumes

(Reuters) - Community Health Systems Inc on Tuesday reported a 9.7 percent fall in quarterly revenue as the hospital operator struggles with weak patient volumes.

Daiichi Sankyo settles U.S. lawsuits over blood pressure drug Benicar

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Daiichi Sankyo on Tuesday said it has agreed to pay up to $300 million to settle some 2,300 U.S. cases accusing the Japanese drugmaker of failing to warn that its blood pressure medication Benicar can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Drug enforcement chief criticizes Trump in email to agents

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's acting director criticized President Donald Trump for telling law enforcement officers not to be "too nice" to suspects, urging DEA agents to show "respect and compassion" and saying he felt compelled to speak out when "something is wrong."