Reuters - Health Report

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Friday, September 1, 2017

Advertising budget for Obamacare to be cut 90 percent: U.S. health agency

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said on Thursday it plans to spend $10 million on advertising for the upcoming Obamacare open enrollment period that starts in November, a sharp cut from the $100 million spent last year.

Arizona accuses drugmaker Insys of fraudulent opioid marketing

(Reuters) - Arizona sued Insys Therapeutics Inc on Thursday, accusing the drugmaker of engaging in a fraudulent marketing scheme aimed at increasing sales of a fentanyl-based cancer pain medicine called Subsys.

Amazon hit with lawsuit over eclipse glasses

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amazon.com has been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit by a couple who claims defective eclipse glasses purchased through the online retailer damaged their eyes.

AstraZeneca aims to offset drug setback at big cancer congress

LONDON (Reuters) - After last month's big clinical trial setback in lung cancer, AstraZeneca will seek to rebuild its oncology reputation next week when it unveils full details of two key clinical trials tackling the disease in different ways.

Most physical therapists face sexual harassment from patients

(Reuters Health) - Inappropriate patient sexual behavior remains a common experience for physical therapists during their careers, according to a recent U.S. study.

Quick ‘mindfulness’ fix may help curb drinking

(Reuters Health) - Heavy drinkers may be able to cut back after brief mindfulness training exercises that involve helping them focus on what’s happening in the present moment, a small experiment in the UK suggests.

Profit on $475,000 Novartis cancer drug could be a while coming

ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis's new gene-modifying cancer therapy's $475,000-per-patient sticker price has drawn fire from advocate groups calling for cheaper drugs, but analysts said the Swiss drugmaker could initially struggle to break even.

Britain 'going backwards' on rights of disabled, says U.N. committee

GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. Committee on the rights of disabled people said on Thursday it had more concerns about Britain - due to funding cuts, restricted rights and an uncertain post-Brexit future - than any other country in its 10-year history.

Novartis gene therapy approval signals new cancer treatment era

(Reuters) - Novartis AG on Wednesday won highly anticipated U.S. approval for the first of a new type of potent gene-modifying immunotherapy for leukemia, a $475,000 treatment that marks the start of a potential new treatment paradigm for some cancers.

Japan's Daiichi Sankyo denies 2016 takeover bid by AstraZeneca

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo denied on Thursday it received a takeover bid last year from Britain's AstraZeneca, following speculation that sent its share price soaring as much as 13 percent and triggered a trade suspension.