Here are six articles Becker's Hospital Review published in the last week, highlighting the FDA's crackdown on 'high-risk' alternative medicines, Teva Pharmaceuticals' layoff plan, and a first-of-its kind gene therapy to treat an inherited form of blindness, among other topics.
1. FDA cracks down on homeopathic drugs
The FDA proposed a new regulation approach Monday to crack down on the growing number of homeopathic remedies that show no clinical benefit.
2. France officials fine J&J $30M for allegedly restricting access to generic versions of its pain patch
The French competition authority fined Johnson & Johnson 25 million euros ($29.62 million) for allegedly stalling generic copies of its pain medication Durogestic from entering the market.
3. Teva Pharmaceuticals to cut more than 25% of workforce, consolidate US sites
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which is grappling with $35 billion of debt, plans to cut 14,000 jobs worldwide and consolidate six of its seven U.S. sites into one location.
4. Bloodworks Northwest in dire need of blood donors after Amtrak derails onto highway
Bloodworks Northwest issued an urgent request for blood donors Monday after an Amtrak train derailed outside of Tacoma, Wash. onto a highway.
5. Medical device industry wants ACA tax lifted before 2018
The medical device industry is calling on Congress to pass a delay of the ACA's medical device tax sooner rather than later.
6. FDA approves novel gene therapy to treat an inherited form of blindness
The FDA approved Luxturna, a first-of-its-kind gene therapy, to treat a rare form of inherited vision loss that can result in complete blindness.