Bhinneka News Online: Reuters Health Report: May 4, 2017

Thursday, 4 May 2017

Reuters Health Report: May 4, 2017

Click to View in Browser

Thursday, May 4, 2017

WHO to help bring cheap biosimilar cancer drugs to poor

LONDON (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) is to launch a pilot project this year to assess cheap copies of expensive biotech cancer drugs in a bid to make such medicines more widely available in poorer countries.

Trump gains traction on healthcare bill, vote set for Thursday

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's effort to roll back Obamacare gained momentum on Wednesday as Republican leaders scheduled a vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday on newly revised legislation.

U.S. prescription drug spending as high as $610 billion by 2021: report

(Reuters) - Spending on prescription medicines in the United States will increase 4-7 percent through 2021, reaching $580 billion to $610 billion, according to a report released by QuintilesIMS Holding on Thursday that lowered its prior long-term forecast.

Novartis, Roche back French gene therapy start-up Vivet

(Reuters) - French gene therapy start-up Vivet Therapeutics said on Thursday it had raised 37.5 million euros ($41 million) in an initial financing round, with backing from the venture arms of Swiss drugmakers Novartis and Roche.

Novartis exercises option with Conatus for NASH product

ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis is exercising its option with ConatusPharmaceuticals for an exclusive license for the global development and commercialization of emricasan for treating liver disease NASH, the Swiss drugmaker said.

Aetna adds Virginia to list of Obamacare exits for 2018

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Health insurer Aetna Inc said on Wednesday it will not sell Obamacare individual insurance plans in Virginia next year, a move it attributed to "growing uncertainty" in the market and $200 million in expected losses on the business this year.

Tennessee, Iowa close to banning abortions after 20 weeks

NASHVILLE, Tenn (Reuters) - Two U.S. states drew closer on Wednesday to legislating tougher restrictions on abortion with both Iowa and Tennessee seeking governors' signatures that would ban the procedure after 20 weeks.

Bayer, J&J win first trial over Xarelto bleeding risks

(Reuters) - A federal jury has cleared Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson of liability in the first trial to flow out of thousands of lawsuits blaming injuries on the blood thinner Xarelto, the drugmakers said on Wednesday.

AstraZeneca boosts early respiratory medicine with Pieris deal

LONDON (Reuters) - AstraZeneca boosted its early-stage respiratory medicine pipeline on Wednesday by signing a deal with Pieris Pharmaceuticals to develop novel inhaled drugs that could fight asthma in new ways.

Imperial Brands could launch heated tobacco product in months if needed

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Imperial Brands, the fourth-largest international tobacco company, remains committed to its pursuit of e-cigarettes as the best alternative to smoking, but could pivot quickly with a heated tobacco product within months if proved wrong, a senior executive said on Wednesday.