U.S. health secretary says agency can eliminate drug rebates
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said it was within his agency’s power to eliminate rebates on prescription drug purchases, a key element of the…
China sacks six senior officials at food and drug regulator over vaccine scandal
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China said on Saturday it has sacked six senior officials at its food and drug regulator after a safety scandal at vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology Co Ltd…
Pfizer bets on biotech flu vaccine in $425 million BioNTech alliance
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Pfizer has agreed to pay German biotech firm BioNTech up to $425 million in an alliance to develop more effective influenza jabs, the latest among several major…
Long-acting injection a shot in the arm for GSK’s HIV business
LONDON (Reuters) – A long-acting injection developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) and given once a month has proved as effective as standard daily pills for controlling the AIDS virus, lifting prospects…
Doctors may not explain pros, cons of lung cancer screening
(Reuters) – Many U.S. doctors don’t discuss the harms of lung cancer screening or the potential for overdiagnosis in conversations with current and former smokers about whether tests are necessary,…
Biogen’s pricey muscle drug Spinraza too costly for Britain
LONDON (Reuters) – Biogen’s muscle disease treatment Spinraza has been deemed too expensive for use on Britain’s state-run health service, even after a price discount offered by the U.S. drugmaker.…
Perrigo plans to separate prescription pharma business
(Reuters) – Perrigo Co Plc (PRGO.N) said on Thursday it would separate its generics prescription business, which has been a drag on results, to focus on consumer healthcare following a…
Health workers in Congo being vaccinated against Ebola: WHO
GENEVA (Reuters) – Vaccination of health workers against the deadly Ebola virus has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo to try to halt an outbreak in the volatile east…
Latest Congo Ebola outbreak is Zaire strain, vaccinations to start
GENEVA (Reuters) – An Ebola outbreak in Congo has been confirmed as the Zaire strain of the virus and vaccinations of health workers may start as early as Wednesday, the…
Ebola vaccinations in eastern Congo due to begin on Wednesday
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Vaccinations against a new outbreak of Ebola virus in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are due to begin on Wednesday, a senior official…