Reuters - Health Report

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Thursday, November 16, 2017

'We're praying' - Officials say India will not act on smog this year

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - As pollution level climbed to 12 times above the recommended limit this week in India's capital, government officials said they knew what was needed to control the smoky haze, but nothing would be done, at least this year.

Nearly 1.5 million people signed up for Obamacare plans so far: officials

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 800,000 people signed up for Obamacare individual health insurance plans in the second week of open enrollment, U.S. government health officials said on Wednesday, bringing the total number of sign-ups to nearly 1.5 million so far.

Monsanto, U.S. farm groups sue California over glyphosate warnings

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Monsanto Co and U.S. farm groups sued California on Wednesday to stop the state from requiring cancer warnings on products containing the widely used weed killer glyphosate, which the company sells to farmers to apply to its genetically engineered crops.

Europe approves GlaxoSmithKline's new triple lung drug

LONDON (Reuters) - Europe has approved GlaxoSmithKline's new three-in-one inhaler for chronic lung disease, which the group hopes will help it keep its lead in respiratory medicine despite falling sales of older drug Advair.

FDA clears nerve stimulator for opioid withdrawal symptoms

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday cleared for use an electrical nerve stimulator designed to reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Astellas faces U.S. probe over patient assistance charity support

BOSTON (Reuters) - Astellas Pharma Inc has become the latest company to reveal it has become the subject of a U.S. probe into drugmakers' financial support of charities offering assistance to Medicare patients seeking help to cover out-of-pocket drug costs.

Pfizer, Novartis agree UK price cuts for new breast cancer drugs

LONDON (Reuters) - Pfizer and Novartis have agreed price cuts for their rival breast cancer drugs Ibrance and Kisqali to ensure they can be used routinely within Britain's state-funded health service.

Philippines reallows contraceptive devices after certifying them safe

MANILA (Reuters) - The Roman Catholic-majority Philippines will reallow the use of contraceptive implants after certifying 51 drugs and devices safe and not the cause of abortions, the health department announced on Thursday.

Cardiac arrest study in young athletes raises heart screening questions

(Reuters Health) - Screening exams to identify young athletes at risk for cardiac arrest might not be worthwhile, a new study suggests.

Heart failure patients’ odds of hospitalization tied to diabetes

(Reuters Health) - Heart failure patients may be less likely to be hospitalized or die prematurely if they don’t also have diabetes – but even if they do have it, they may still minimize their risk by controlling their blood sugar, a recent study suggests.