Reuters - Health Report

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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Pharma's Puerto Rico problems could mean drug shortages: FDA chief

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday the country may start to see a small number of drug shortages within two or three weeks due to delays in restoring manufacturing operations in Puerto Rico, where 10 percent of drugs prescribed in the United States are made.

Trump says he's likely to sign healthcare order this week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he likely will sign an order this week that is expected to allow Americans to buy stripped-down health insurance policies, a step some experts say would further undermine the Obamacare law that Trump opposes.

Philips sees profit hit from U.S. defibrillator blow

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Health technology company Philips is suspending the manufacture of some defibrillators in the United States and will make others under heightened scrutiny following criticisms from U.S. regulators, in a move it said would dent profits.

Trump names Eric Hargan as acting Health Secretary

(Reuters) - President Donald Trump has appointed Eric Hargan as acting Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the White House said on Tuesday.

Pfizer weighs $15 billion sale of consumer healthcare business

(Reuters) - Pfizer said on Tuesday it was considering the sale or spin-off of its consumer healthcare business, shaking up the industry and potentially putting a headache pill to lip balm operation worth some $15 billion up for grabs.

Child and teen obesity soars tenfold worldwide in 40 years: WHO report

GENEVA (Reuters) - The number of obese children and adolescents worldwide has jumped tenfold in the past 40 years and the rise is accelerating in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Asia, a major study said on Wednesday.

Lilly's breast cancer drug fails to help lung patients

(Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co said its recently approved breast cancer drug failed to meet a late-stage trial's main goal of improving overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Tests showing low egg reserves not linked to infertility

(Reuters Health) - Lab tests showing that women have low reserves of eggs in their ovaries may not necessarily mean they will struggle to get pregnant, a U.S. study suggests.

Can insulin pumps work better than injections for kids with diabetes?

(Reuters Health) - Children and teens with type 1 diabetes who use insulin pumps may have better-controlled blood sugar and fewer complications than youth who inject insulin, a new study suggests.

Many patients remain confused about medical hierarchy

(Reuters Health) - Patients continue to be confused about the roles and responsibilities different doctors play in their health care, new research confirms.