Male birth control pill is on the way, scientists say (Morning Read)

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Advances in male birth control. Scientists are testing types of a male birth control pill that use testosterone and progestin hormones to trigger the body to stop producing sperm. The goal, obviously, is to find a method of birth control for men that can be started and stopped easily and safely without the use of a physical sperm barrier like a condom.

Other forms of a male birth control pill being developed separately aim to interrupt the production or maturation of sperm. Other scientists are taking different approaches, such as temporarily stopping sperm production with an injection or with heat from an ultrasound.

New rules for research on humans. In an effort to weed out unnecessary regulations and avoid delays in the process of research, the Department of Health and Human Services released a proposal detailing sweeping changes to the process of overseeing research on humans. The proposal would allow for a single institution review board to oversee research at multiple sites, and make it less of a hassle to do surveys and other research that isn’t as dangerous as medical testing.

Express Scripts-Medco merger. Express Scripts plans to pay some $29.1 billion dollars to buy Medco Health Solutions and create the U.S.’s biggest pharmacy benefits manager. The National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores have already publicly bashed to merger, saying it would create a monopoly in the pharmacy benefits management market.

Drug shortage hits J&J. The Johnson & Johnson cancer drug Doxil, with global sales of about $500 million, is apparently in short supply. The company last week warned doctors not to begin any new treatment with the injectible drug since new supplies will not be shipped until late August.

Physician alignment a challenge for ACOs. A survey of physicians and healthcare administrators suggested that the biggest barrier to forming an accountable care organization is aligning the goals and strategies of physicians with those of healthcare facility leadership, cited by 40 percent of respondents. About 55 percent said their organizations were moving toward forming ACOs.