Reuters - Health Report

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Thursday, May 25, 2017

Deadly brain infection in German MS patient prompts Roche investigation

ZURICH (Reuters) - A person in Germany treated with Roche Holding AG’s new multiple sclerosis drug Ocrevus has been diagnosed with an often-deadly brain infection after switching from another medication earlier this year, the Swiss drugmaker said on Wednesday.

Under U.S. Republican bill, 23 million would lose health coverage: watchdog

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would cause 23 million people to lose healthcare coverage by 2026 while de-stabilizing health insurance markets in some states and making it hard for sick people to buy insurance, a budget watchdog agency said on Wednesday.

Exclusive: McConnell frets about healthcare, hopeful on tax overhaul

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday he does not yet know how Republicans will amass the votes needed to pass legislation now being crafted to dismantle Obamacare, but expressed some optimism on another top priority, overhauling the tax code.

GW to file cannabis drug as journal confirms epilepsy success

LONDON (Reuters) - GW Pharmaceuticals is set to file its cannabis-derived drug with U.S. regulators imminently, following publication of detailed data on its success in fighting severe childhood epilepsy.

Foot mat may help predict who will get a common diabetes complication

An experimental foot-temperature monitoring system might one day be able to detect when diabetic patients are developing foot ulcers, a common complication that can lead to infections and amputations, a small study suggests.

Chocolate tied to decreased risk of irregular heart rhythm

Eating a small amount of chocolate every week or so may decrease the risk of a common and serious type of irregular heart rhythm, according to a new study of people in Denmark.

Adolescent ADHD linked to teen parenthood

Adolescents who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are much more likely than peers without ADHD to become teenaged parents, according to a large Danish study.

Exclusive: McConnell expects bipartisan support for bill reauthorizing FDA user fees

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell told Reuters on Wednesday he expects bipartisan support for approval of a bill authorizing taxpayer and industry funding for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Former Heritage Pharma executives settle with states

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two former executives of Heritage Pharmaceuticals who pleaded guilty to fixing drug prices in January have agreed to settle with 41 states and territories involved in the probe, the Connecticut attorney general's office said on Wednesday.

New WHO head seeks U.S. bipartisan support for global health

GENEVA (Reuters) - The new head of the World Health Organization (WHO) voiced hope on Wednesday that bipartisan support would prevail in the U.S. Congress to fund global health initiatives, despite deep budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration.