DC
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HHS gives rural clinics $225M to ramp up Covid-19 testing
The announcement comes as researchers have noted that the pandemic has begun shifting from urban centers like New York to rural areas of the country. The U.S. continues to lead the world in SARS-CoV-2 infections, with more than 1.5 million cases as of Thursday.
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Health organizations responding to Covid-19 at risk from state-backed hackers, cybersecurity officials say
Drugmakers, medical research groups and healthcare companies and organizations are at risk of “password spraying” attacks by state-sponsored hackers, the officials said in a joint statement.
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Do you advise self-insured employers? You Can Help Us!
Take part in this survey and share some of the trends you are seeing among your clients across healthcare, including chronic conditions, behavioral health and navigation.
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Report: Trump organizes enterprise to shorten Covid-19 vaccine development by up to 8 months
Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the Trump administration is launching the effort, which it compared to the Manhattan Project, to shorten the length of time it would take to develop a vaccine for the disease.
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Trump’s favorite drug for Covid-19 smacked down in VA study, NIH guidance
A preprint retrospective analysis among 368 patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in the VA system found no benefit and a higher degree of death from hydroxychloroquine. A panel of experts also recommended against using the drug with azithromycin outside of trials due to potential toxicity.
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Here are the top companies leading the fight against coronavirus
More than 80,000 people worldwide have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In response, the U.S. government has partnered with several companies to develop drugs to treat the infection and vaccines to prevent it.
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MD Anderson oncologist Stephen Hahn confirmed as FDA commissioner
The Senate voted 72-18 Thursday to confirm Hahn, a radiation oncologist and chief medical executive at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
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Senators urge greater FTC scrutiny over large biopharma mergers
Nine senators sent a letter to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons urging greater scrutiny over like the one between BMS and Celgene, expressing concern over antitrust issues, innovation and drug pricing.
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Gene-editing firms sign on to statement of ethical principles, with emphasis on germline editing
The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine and 13 biotech companies released a statement outlining bioethical principles on genome editing, including opposition to modifications that can be passed to future generations.
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Senators urge action in Novartis gene therapy data manipulation scandal
Five Democratic senators – two running for president – wrote in a letter to the FDA’s acting commissioner that the scandal highlighted industry “privilege and greed.”
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Trayt Health Seeks to Increase Access to Diagnoses and Treatments
CEO Malekeh Amini explains how Trayt Health can bridge the gap for patients seeking neurological care.
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Regenerative medicine companies raised $4.8B in first half of 2019
On a quarterly basis, companies in areas like cell and gene therapy raised less in the second quarter than during the same period last year, but the number of clinical trials underway saw an uptick. European and Israeli firms also saw a boost in funding.
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Trump’s drug pricing blueprint hits a speed bump
The administration’s plan to lower drug costs met two major setbacks last week. Experts weighed in on what that could mean.
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Drugmakers sue to stop rule requiring list prices in consumer advertising
Amgen, Eli Lilly and Merck – plus the Association of National Advertisers – said in a complaint filed Friday that the law would mislead consumers, overstep the government’s authority and violate the First Amendment.
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HHS implements rule to require list prices in television drug ads
The changes will take place 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register. Industry trade group PhRMA have opposed the rule, saying it will lead to consumer confusion and sticker shock that could discourage medication use.
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Amgen, Astellas to pay government nearly $125M to resolve copay kickback allegations
The deal struck Thursday follows similar settlements between the Department of Justice and three other drugmakers. The department alleged that the companies started copay-assistance funds that violated anti-kickback laws.
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CMS proposes continuing new technology add-on payments for CAR-T cell therapies next year
The agency also proposed increasing the maximum new technology add-on payment from 50 percent to 65 percent for fiscal year 2020.