FDA report details agency fumbles during infant formula investigation that hampered response
Brenda Goodman, CNN
A perfect storm of “systemic vulnerabilities” at the US Food and Drug Administration unfolded as the agency investigated contaminated baby formula and slowed its response to the worsening formula shortage, an internal review shows.
CVS, Walmart reach $147.5 mln opioid settlement with West Virginia
Dietrich Knauth, Reuters
CVS Health Corp (CVS.N) and Walmart Inc (WMT.N) have agreed to pay $147.5 million to settle West Virginia’s claims over their alleged roles in the state’s opioid crisis, state attorney general Patrick Morrisey said Tuesday.
Cancer death rates continue to fall, driven by new treatments and improved screening
Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News
Significant strides in cancer treatments, diagnostic tools and prevention strategies continue to drive down cancer death rates, according to a report published Wednesday by the American Association for Cancer Research.
New bill aims to curtail surprise medical bills for sexual assault survivors
Aria Bendix, NBC News
The new bill was introduced by Reps. Linda T. Sánchez, D-Calif.; Gwen Moore, D-Wis.; and Carol Miller, R-W.Va. It would give the departments of Labor, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services the authority to designate types of providers beyond SANEs who’d be eligible to give forensic exams that would be fully covered by private insurance, starting in 2025. The lawmakers’ hope is that survivors with private insurance would not get billed for an exam, regardless of where it’s performed.
FDA User Fee Lapse Would ‘Devastate’ Public Health, Califf Says
Jeannie Baumann et al., Bloomberg Law
The head of the FDA says he’s optimistic Congress will reauthorize the agency’s user fees as time dwindles for lawmakers to reach an agreement.
Anti-Trans Health Care Laws Are the Latest Republican Target
Kelsey Butler and Andre Tartar, Bloomberg
In the last year, there’s been a sharp rise in the number of state bills going after transgender-related health care, a Bloomberg analysis finds.
Cooking chicken in NyQuil is dangerous, FDA says, citing video on TikTok
Minyvonne Burke, NBC News
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an update advising consumers that cooking chicken in NyQuil is dangerous and potentially harmful.
When to Get Your Flu Shot and Other Advice for This Flu Season
Alex Janin, The Wall Street Journal
A surge in cases in Australia, where winter is just wrapping up, may portend a similar rise in the coming season here as temperatures start to cool. A widespread reduction in Covid-19 precautions also points to the possibility of a more substantial flu season this year compared with the past two, which were relatively mild.
Poxviruses, outbreaks, and Ebola: A Q&A with a retiring CDC expert on bad bugs
Helen Branswell, Stat News
To outside eyes, the timing of Inger Damon’s departure could be seen as odd or unfortunate, given that after years of relative obscurity, poxviruses are at the center of the world’s infectious diseases radar, thanks to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. Though the growth of case numbers had slowed, there was no sign the crisis was under control. Many challenges remain ahead.
A new study asks: Are we harming blood donors by taking blood?
Brittany Trang, Stat News
One question has plagued the field of blood donation for as long as there have been transfusions: Are we harming blood donors by taking blood from them?
Drinking certain teas is linked with lower diabetes risk
Kristen Rogers, CNN
Drinking at least four cups of any of these teas per day has been linked with a 17% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over an average period of 10 years, according to research published Saturday. The research, which hasn’t yet been published in a scientific journal, will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting in Stockholm this week.
Coors, Mondelez, and other big food companies want to sell CBD-filled food and drinks. The FDA is staunchly opposed
Nicholas Florko, Stat News
Major food makers are ready to cash in on selling CBD-filled foods and drinks. But the Food and Drug Administration isn’t having it.