About Covid-19
Paxlovid Cuts Odds for Hospitalization After Omicron Infection by 45% “The protection was lower than the 90% reduction in hospitalization found in Paxlovid's clinical trials, which took place during the Delta wave of COVID, said lead researcher Dr. Scott Dryden-Peterson, an infectious disease specialist with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
But even when facing the more infectious Omicron variant, Paxlovid still matches the effectiveness found when using Tamiflu to prevent influenza hospitalizations, Dryden-Peterson said.”
About health insurance
Which states see most of their wages spent on health insurance? And how does this compare to other costs of living factors? At the top is West Virginia- 20.85% of wages spent on health insurance. The actual cost was also the highest among the top 10. The article is worth a quick read.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Implementation This document, just published by CMS, explains “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I” and “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II,”
About pharma
Walgreens stock falls after decision to keep Boots, No7 Beauty businesses after lack of adequate buyout interest “Shares of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. fell 1.7% ion premarket trading Tuesday, after the drugstore chain said it decided to keep its U.K.-based health and beauty retailer Boots and No7 Beauty Company businesses... Walgreens said that while the decision followed discussions with a range of prospective buyers expressing ‘significant interest’ in the businesses, the financial markets suffered ‘unexpected and dramatic change’ since the review process began. ‘As a result of market instability severely impacting financing availability, no third party has been able to make an offer that adequately reflects the high potential value of Boots and No7 Beauty Company,’ Walgreens stated.”
Oklahoma Settles With Three Opioid Distributors at Over $250 Million The latest in the ongoing litigation saga: “Opioid distributors McKesson, Cardinal and AmerisourceBergen have agreed to pay a $250 million settlement to the state of Oklahoma over their alleged roles in the opioid epidemic.”
About the public’s health
Tens of thousands of monkeypox vaccines rushed to clinics A good update on his disease.
About health technology
Judge rules Apple Watch infringed AliveCor's ECG patent, setting up potential U.S. import ban “An administrative judge at the International Trade Commission (ITC) sided with AliveCor in its case against Apple, ruling that the tech giant has infringed the company's patented electrocardiogram technology.
If affirmed by the full ITC, the administrative law judge's finding of a violation could lead to the issuance of a limited exclusion order barring the import of infringing Apple Watches.
The commission is expected to issue a final decision by Oct. 26.”