Reuters - Health Report

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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Slight drop in measles vaccinations could triple infections in U.S. kids

(Reuters Health) - Just a 5 percent decline in measles vaccination rates could triple the number of young children who get infected with the virus in the U.S., according to a study highlighting the risks of parents refusing to vaccinate their kids.

Dozens of U.S. clinics sell unproven stem cell therapies for heart failure

(Reuters Health) - Stem cell therapy isn’t approved to treat heart failure in the U.S., but dozens of clinics nationwide advertise the treatments anyway, often charging thousands of dollars for procedures that may not be safe or effective, a new study suggests.

Trump pleads with Republicans to roll back Obamacare

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump made a last-ditch plea to U.S. Senate Republicans on Monday to "do the right thing" and fulfill seven years of campaign promises to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.

U.S. jury finds AbbVie liable for misrepresentation in AndroGel verdict

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal jury in Chicago on Monday found AbbVie Inc fraudulently misrepresented the risks of its testosterone replacement drug AndroGel and ordered the drugmaker to pay $150 million in punitive damages.

Stopping cholesterol-lowering drugs could be deadly

(Reuters Health) - Stopping a cholesterol-lowering drug because of a muscle ache or stomach pain can be dangerous in the long run, suggests a new study.

Merck immunotherapy fails to improve survival in head and neck cancer

(Reuters) - Merck & Co said on Monday that its Keytruda immunotherapy failed to extend survival in previously treated patients with advanced head and neck cancer more than the standard combination therapy in a late-stage trial.

Dengue outbreak kills 300 in Sri Lanka, hospitals at limit

COLOMBO (Reuters) - An outbreak of dengue virus has killed around 300 people so far this year in Sri Lanka and hospitals are stretched to capacity, health officials said on Monday.

HIV fight advances with new drug cocktails, fresh vaccine hopes

LONDON (Reuters) - Three decades after approval of the first-ever AIDS treatment, HIV medicine is seeing a new wave of innovation with scientists reporting positive data on Monday for improved drug cocktails and a novel experimental vaccine.

Merck, Samsung Bioepis launch discounted U.S. Remicade alternative

NEW YORK/SEOUL (Reuters) - Merck & Co and South Korea's Samsung Bioepis Co Ltd said on Monday they have begun selling a less expensive alternative version of Johnson & Johnson's rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade in the United States, a move that should accelerate price declines for the big-selling medicine.

Damp, moldy homes tied to adult respiratory problems

(Reuters Health) - People living in homes with water damage, damp floors or visible mold are more likely to have chronic sinus problems and bronchitis, as well as allergies, asthma and other breathing disorders, according to a large study from Sweden.