Reuters - Health Report

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Thursday, November 2, 2017

GSK gets boost for early cancer hopes with breakthrough status

LONDON (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline received a boost for its oncology research on Thursday when an experimental drug for blood cancer received a "breakthrough" designation from U.S. regulators.

Trump panel urges more treatment options to fight opioid crisis

(Reuters) - A panel convened by U.S. President Donald Trump to tackle the opioid crisis called on Wednesday for more treatment programs, tighter prescribing guidelines and additional drug courts to help reduce overdose deaths.

Obamacare 2018 enrollment clouded by uncertainty under Trump

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As Americans began signing up for Obamacare health insurance plans on Wednesday, experts expected reduced participation as a bitter political debate clouds the program's future.

Exclusive: Congressional committee questions operation of WHO cancer agency

LONDON, (Reuters) - Two influential U.S. Congressmen have asked the World Health Organization's cancer agency to get ready to testify about its work assessing if substances cause cancer, citing concerns about its "scientific integrity".

Puerto Rico seeks help as Medicaid crisis deepens after Maria

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Puerto Rico, still reeling from Hurricane Maria, is asking the Trump administration and U.S. lawmakers for help in staving off a Medicaid crisis that has put a quarter of the island’s residents at risk of losing medical care.

U.S. submits revised plea deal with Novelion's Aegerion to court

BOSTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday unveiled a revised a plea agreement with Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Inc that aimed to appease a federal judge who threatened to reject an earlier version that was part of a $36 million settlement.

Allergan assuages shareholder fears over losing Restasis patent

(Reuters) - Allergan Plc on Wednesday reassured shareholders that it would return to earnings growth in 2019 after losing a major patent ruling last month on its second-most important drug, dry-eye treatment Restasis.

AstraZeneca asthma drug tralokinumab disappoints again

LONDON (Reuters) - An experimental biotech drug for severe asthma from AstraZeneca has failed in further clinical tests, following an earlier setback in May and disappointing results with a similar drug at Roche.

U.S. states adding rules for feeding babies in daycare

(Reuters Health) - Most U.S. states have added new rules over the past decade designed to improve feeding practices for babies in daycare, a study suggests.

Drugmaker Novo Nordisk warns of U.S. legislation, cautious on 2018

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Drugmaker Novo Nordisk forecast only muted growth in 2018 and warned that draft legislation in some U.S. states to make pricing more transparent could impact business in its largest market.