Health News Roundup: More Eisai/Biogen Alzheimer's drug approvals seen likely despite safety warning; Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk sues Florida pharmacies over copycat drugs and more

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Nearly half of US drinking water may contain toxic 'forever chemicals'

Nearly half of U.S. tap water samples contain toxic "forever chemicals," substances used in hundreds of household items from cleaning supplies to pizza boxes to which broad exposure can carry serious health risks, according to a new study. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study tested tap water samples from more than 700 residences, businesses and drinking-water treatment plants across the country for the presence of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals known as PFAS.

Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk sues Florida pharmacies over copycat drugs

Novo Nordisk on Thursday accused three Florida pharmacies of illegally selling products claiming to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in the Danish drugmaker's weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus. In three separate lawsuits in Florida federal court, Novo Nordisk sought orders barring TruLife Pharmacy, Brooksville Pharmaceuticals and WellHealth Inc from selling the products, and seeking unspecified money damages. The three defendants are compounding pharmacies, which make custom drug preparations for customers.

More Eisai/Biogen Alzheimer's drug approvals seen likely despite safety warning

With U.S. approval of Eisai's and Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Leqembi secured, Wall Street analysts said they expect other region's health regulators to follow suit even if they share similar concerns about a potentially severe side effect. Leqembi won standard approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, but the FDA placed its strongest "boxed" safety warning on the drug's label, flagging the risk of potentially dangerous brain swelling in it and similar drugs.

US FDA grants standard approval of Eisai/Biogen Alzheimer's drug

Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi won a coveted standard approval nod from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, the first Alzheimer's treatment to achieve that goal, clearing the way for wider insurance coverage of the drug. The FDA decision marks a new milestone for a fatal disease that has eluded drugmakers' efforts for decades. Trial data showed that the treatment slows progression of the brain-wasting disease by 27% for patients in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's.

Biotech firms target weight-loss drugs without Wegovy's side-effects

Weight-loss drug Wegovy helped Rebecca Vogt achieve a major goal - shedding the weight she had not managed to drop since giving birth. But, after a particularly brutal day in the bathroom suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea, she called it quits. "The nausea is just so awful with this medication," said Vogt, who had endured daily sickness for months.

US unit of India's Cipla recalls six batches of bronchospasm inhaler

Indian drugmaker Cipla said on Friday its U.S. unit was recalling six batches of albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol due to a "container defect". "The company is initiating a recall in the U.S. due to a market complaint for one single inhaler, where leakage was observed through the inhaler valve," the pharmaceutical company said in a statement.

Biden's junk fee crusade turns to short-term health insurance plans

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday announced new steps to crack down on short-term health insurance plans and surprise medical bills, stepping up his war against so-called junk fees to lower healthcare costs. This will include a proposed rule that closes loopholes companies use to offer misleading short-term insurance products, discriminate based on pre-existing conditions, offer little to no coverage and saddle consumers with thousands of dollars worth of medical expenses, Biden said.

US wants coalition of nations to engage China in curbing synthetic drugs

The U.S. wants other countries to engage China on limiting the flow of synthetic drugs, the State Department's top official on narcotics said on Thursday, as Washington complains of a lack of co-operation by Beijing in combating their illegal trade. On the eve of a U.S.-led conference on the issue, the official, Todd Robinson, said China needed to do more to disrupt illicit supply chains, but it was still unclear if it would join the meeting.

Novavax to receive $350 million from Canada for unused COVID shots

Novavax Inc said on Friday Canada will pay $349.6 million to settle the forfeiting of certain doses of its COVID-19 vaccine previously scheduled for delivery. The U.S. vaccine maker also reached a deal with the country's public works and government services department to amend the advance purchase contract after a sharp decline in global demand left a raft of COVID-19 doses unused.

Factbox-Companies in Alzheimer's race after US nod for Eisai/Biogen drug

Eisai Co Ltd and Biogen Inc's Leqembi emerged as the first Alzheimer's treatment to win the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's standard approval on Thursday, a milestone in drug development for a disease that has seen multiple failures in the past. The following is a list of companies that are currently developing treatments that aim to modify the memory-robbing disease:

(With inputs from agencies.)