The following is a summary of current health news.
Regeneron quarterly profits declined due to sales of covid antibodies
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals reported a 13% drop in first-quarter profits on Wednesday as sales of its COVID-19 antibody cocktail were affected by a decision by the U.S. health regulator to limit its use. The company did not record any sales of pills in the United States during the expected quarter. Regeneron warned about this in February after the US Food and Drug Administration amended the drug's approval due to a lack of effectiveness against the Omicron coronavirus alternative.
Abortion-rights protesters rally in US, draft encouraged by Supreme Court opinion
Protesters rallied in cities across the United States on Tuesday under the slogan “Stop Our Bodies,” demanding the protection of abortion rights after a draft Supreme Court opinion was leaked that would overturn the 1973 Rowe v. Wade ruling. Thousands turned out for the abortion-rights rally in New York City, one of the largest protests by Americans waking up for political and social upheaval, just months before voters went to the polls in the midterm congressional elections.
Fresenius warns of the great impact of the war in Ukraine after losing Q1 profits
German healthcare group Fresenius's first-quarter profit surpassed market expectations on Wednesday, driven by an increase in its generic infusion drug unit in emerging markets. However, the group warned that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could increase inflation and supply chain disruption this year.
With the spread of the virus in China, Beijing has taken steps to prevent covid
Beijing has closed many metro stations and bus routes and extended COVID-19 bans to several public venues on Wednesday, focusing on efforts to avert Shanghai's fate, where millions have been under severe lockdown for more than a month. The central city of Zhengzhou had earlier announced restrictions, with dozens of large populations joining the center under some form of lockdown because China wanted to eradicate a virus that was believed to have first appeared in Wuhan in late 2019.
Opioid Distributors Reach 518 Million Settlement With Washington State
Washington has reached a 518 million settlement with drug distributors McKesson Corporation, AmeriSourcebergen Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc., ending months of litigation over alleged companies' role in fueling the state's opioid epidemic. McKesson will pay $ 197 million, while AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal will each contribute $ 160.5 million to the settlement.
Moderna saw higher COVID vaccine sales in the second half of 2022
Moderna Inc on Wednesday reported প্রথম 6 billion in first-quarter revenue from its COVID-19 vaccine, beating past estimates and saying it expects vaccine sales to be higher than the first half of the year. Shares of the company rose 6.8% to 6 156.46 before the opening hour. As a growing number of people worldwide take a full immunization course, the results have eased some concerns about vaccine sales this year.
CVS Health raises its annual profit outlook after the first quarter beat; Share growth
CVS Health Corp beat estimates for its first-quarter results on Wednesday, aided by strong performance in its retail store operations and insurance units, encouraging the company to raise its annual consistent profit forecast, boosting its shares by about 2%.
Pharmacy chains such as CVS have benefited from the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and tests during epidemics. However, in February, the company said it expects a big drop in COVID-19 vaccines and testing conducted in its stores this year.
Oklahoma governor signs abortion ban after six weeks of pregnancy, effective immediately
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Steit signed a bill Tuesday banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, immediately declaring almost all abortions in the state illegal. The law, passed by the Republican-led legislature, relies on individual citizens to sue the provider or anyone who “assists or aids” abortion six weeks after it is implemented. It was created in imitation of a Texas law that has prevented legal challenges since it came into force in that state in September.
VP Harris Rowe v. Wade called the Supreme Court threat an “attack on freedom.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday that the possible Supreme Court decision to overturn Rowe v. Wade represents an attack on women and attacks Republicans for “disarming” the issue, giving the White House the first hint of how it could use the war on abortion. The right to mobilize voters in the upcoming midterm elections. “If the court overturns Rowe v. Wade, it would be a direct attack on freedom,” Harris, a Democrat, told attendees at an event hosted by Emily's List, an organization that works to elect abortion-rights Democrats to office.
(Including input from the agency.)
