Reuters - Health Report

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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

U.S. lets more healthcare workers prescribe opioid addiction treatment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said on Tuesday it had changed a regulation to allow more healthcare professionals to prescribe a medication used to treat opioid addiction, opening up access in rural America where there are few doctors.

Aetna is fined by New York for leaking members' HIV status

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Aetna Inc will pay a $1.15 million civil fine and improve its privacy practices to settle charges that it leaked the HIV-positive status of 2,460 New York members in a mailing where it used envelopes with large transparent windows.

J&J takes $13.6 billion charge related to new U.S. tax law

(Reuters) - Healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday took a $13.6-billion charge related to the new U.S. tax law and plans to bring back billions of dollars from overseas immediately.

Puma Biotechnology sinks after Europe unlikely to OK breast cancer drug

(Reuters) - Puma Biotechnology Inc said on Tuesday a European regulatory panel indicated it was unlikely to provide a positive opinion on the company's breast cancer drug, sending its shares down 30 percent.

Drug companies told to do more to tackle 'superbug' crisis

LONDON (Reuters) - Drugmakers' response to the threat posed by "superbugs" remains patchy even after years of warnings, according to the first analysis of individual companies' efforts to tackle the antibiotic resistance crisis.

U.S. appeals court upholds ruling invalidating J&J patent on Remicade

(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld a ruling that invalidated a crucial Johnson & Johnson patent on its blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade, limiting J&J’s ability to seek damages from Pfizer Inc over its launch of a lower-cost version of the drug.

New York City sues drug companies over opioid epidemic

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City on Tuesday sued eight companies that make or distribute prescription opioids, blaming them for fuelling a deadly epidemic afflicting the most populous U.S. city.

Air pollution tied to preterm births in China

(Reuters Health) - Chinese mothers who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver preterm infants than women who live where the air is cleaner, a recent study suggests.

Middle age sleep problems tied to cognitive decline down the line

(Reuters Health) - People who suffer from sleep disturbances in midlife or as they age may be more likely to develop cognitive impairment than people who usually get plenty of uninterrupted rest, new research suggests.

Surgery patients can help prevent opioid abuse

(Reuters Health) - Simple brochures given to patients having surgery might ultimately help control the opioid epidemic, a study suggests.