Reuters - Health Report

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Friday, June 23, 2017

Senate Republicans unveil Obamacare replacement bill, but fate uncertain

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled legislation that would replace Obamacare with a plan that scales back aid to the poor and kills a tax on the wealthy, but the bill's fate was quickly thrown into question as several senators voiced skepticism.

Novartis breast cancer drug Kisqali wins European panel nod

ZURICH (Reuters) - A European Medicines Agency (EMA) panel recommended on Friday approving Novartis's Kisqali drug, bolstering the Swiss drugmaker's bid to challenge rival Pfizer's Ibrance against tough-to-treat breast cancer.

United Nations stresses for support for Haiti cholera fight

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - The United Nations stressed on Thursday its support for eradicating cholera in Haiti, an epidemic it accidentally started, although the government said residents would be better served if aid funding was channeled through it.

South Africa reports outbreak of H5N8 bird flu, industry body says

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa reported an outbreak of a highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu at a farm in the Free State province, an agricultural industry body group, AgriSA, said on Friday.

U.S. bans fresh Brazil beef imports over safety concerns

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The United States halted imports of fresh Brazilian beef on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said, after a high percentage of shipments failed to pass safety checks.

Two U.S. studies differ over effects of marijuana on drivers

(Reuters) - Two U.S. studies on the effects of marijuana on drivers in states where it is allowed for recreational use came to different conclusions about whether it increases risks behind the wheel.

Parent of Burger King, Tim Hortons to curb antibiotics in chicken

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The parent of Burger King and Tim Hortons on Thursday vowed to cut the use of antibiotics in its chicken supply, joining other major fast-food chain operators in the battle against the rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs.

FDA approves more convenient form of Roche blood cancer drug

(Reuters) - U.S. health regulators on Thursday approved a new formulation of Roche's big-selling cancer drug Rituxan for three common types of blood cancers that allows for relatively quick administration via injection under the skin in place of a lengthy intravenous infusion, the company said.

GSK's new CEO aims to divest sports nutrition brand: sources

LONDON (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline Plc's new Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley is shaking up the British drugmaker's portfolio of smaller products with plans to divest its MaxiNutrition sports nutrition brand, two people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Mylan shareholders vote against executive pay, re-elect board

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Mylan NV shareholders voted against the generic drugmaker's executive pay policy but re-elected the board at its annual meeting on Thursday despite a shareholder campaign in the wake of a scandal over high prices for its EpiPen emergency allergy treatment.