A summary of important health news from the past week.
Zika crisis: WHO seeks to allay fears over Rio Olympics
By: BBC News
After an open letter signed by 150 scientist came out last week urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move or postpone this year's events because of the Zika outbreak, officials at the World Health Organization (WHO) are responding by downplaying the outbreak and noting that risk assessment plans are in place. There are no contingency plans as of now.
FDA Considering Pricey Implant As Treatment For Opioid Addiction
By: Martha Bebinger
In response to recent opioid addiction rates, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking at an implant, called Probuphine, that slowly releases buprenorphine, which is currently available in other forms as a method of treatment. The primary benefit of the implants is that these will be more difficult to sell illegally. The implant consists of four small rods that are inserted into the skin.
Germ Resistant To Antibiotic Of Last Resort Appears In U.S.
By: Joe Neel
A 49-year old woman in Pennsylvania is struggling with a highly antibiotic resistant infection, which originated as an urinary tract infection. The E. coli-based infection has a gene that makes the bacteria resistant to antibiotics, including Colistin, a drug that is used as a last resort for resistant infections.
Medicare’s Drug-Pricing Experiment Stirs Opposition
By: Julie Appleby
Medicare is proposing to change how drugs are payed for by trying to manage spending in Part B. One feature of the proposal is to set benchmark payments for "therapeutically similar" drugs. This proposal has been criticized a government price setting.
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