Reuters - Health Report

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Philippine lawyers sue Sanofi over dengue vaccine

MANILA (Reuters) - A Philippine government agency on Monday filed a lawsuit against French drugmaker Sanofi demanding compensation for the parents of a 10-year-old girl the agency said had died as a result of receiving its controversial anti-dengue vaccine.

Indonesia declares Papua health crisis under control

JAKARTA (Reuters) - A measles and malnutrition crisis that killed dozens of children in Indonesia's impoverished province of Papua over the past few months is under control, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

Pfizer's Xtandi delays prostate cancer spread in early stage disease

(Reuters) - Use of Xtandi in early stage prostate cancer on top of standard hormone therapy reduced the risk of disease spreading or death by 71 percent compared with hormone therapy alone, study results that could lead to significantly increased sales of the Pfizer Inc and Astellas Pharma Inc medicine.

M&M's maker publishes science policy in bid to boost transparency

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mars Inc, which makes M&M's candy and Wrigley's gum, on Monday published its policies on conducting and funding scientific studies for the first time, as it plans to break ties with an industry-backed organization.

Britain defends healthcare system after Trump Twitter attack

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump drew a fierce reaction from angry Britons, including health minister Jeremy Hunt, on Monday after criticizing Britain's publicly funded healthcare system as "going broke and not working".

Babies with opioid withdrawal might do better outside the ICU

(Reuters Health) - Newborns suffering from opioid withdrawal might have shorter hospital stays and less need for medications if they stay in a room with their mother instead of being sent to intensive care, a research review suggests.

Trans teens may not get care they need

(Reuters Health) - Transgender teens may be more likely to miss preventive health checkups and have untreated medical problems than their non-transgender peers, a U.S. study suggests.

UK experts urge smokers to switch to e-cigs for big health gains

LONDON (Reuters) - Vaping, or using e-cigarettes, poses only a fraction of the health risk of tobacco smoking and should be encouraged among smokers to reap substantial health benefits, British public health experts said on Tuesday.

Hot tea tied to higher cancer risk for smokers and drinkers

(Reuters Health) - Drinking scalding hot tea is associated with an increased risk of esophageal tumors in people who also smoke and drink alcohol, two habits that already make many cancers more likely, a Chinese study suggests.

Swallowed button batteries a concern with 'fidget spinners'

(Reuters Health) - Swallowed button batteries from flashing "fidget spinners" can lead to severe injuries in young children, doctors warn.