Health News Roundup: New Zealand set to scrap world-first tobacco ban; Bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for first time, scientists say and more

Merck said, on Feb. 5, it received the letter under the Hatch-Waxman Act, through which a company can seek FDA approval to market a copycat before the expiration of patents related to the brand-name drug. South Korea nurses to take on more medical work due to doctor walkout South Korean nurses have been given legal protection to perform some medical procedures normally conducted by doctors, the health minister said on Tuesday, as authorities seek to ease the burden on hospital staff caused by a walkout of trainee doctors.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

New Zealand set to scrap world-first tobacco ban

New Zealand will repeal on Tuesday a world-first law banning tobacco sales for future generations, the government said, even while researchers and campaigners warned of the risk that people could die as a result. Set to take effect from July, the toughest anti-tobacco rules in the world would have banned sales to those born after Jan. 1, 2009, cut nicotine content in smoked tobacco products and reduced the number of tobacco retailers by more than 90%.

BioMarin Pharma gets DOJ subpoena on sponsored testing programs for two therapies

BioMarin Pharmaceutical has received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice seeking information about the company's sponsored testing programs related to two treatments, the therapy maker said in a filing on Monday. Shares of the firm fell 1.65% to $89.74.

Bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for first time, scientists say

A deadly type of bird flu has been confirmed on the mainland of Antarctica for the first time, scientists said, a potential risk for the southern region's huge penguin colonies. "This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday.

DEA issues letter to e-commerce companies over illegal pill-making machines

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued a letter on Monday to e-commerce companies regarding the pill presses that are being used to make fentanyl pills. The DEA has found pill presses, punches and other substances that can be used to make fake pills containing fentanyl are being offered for sale on various platforms.

Merck's Bridion faces generic threat from drugmaker Hikma

Merck has received a letter that Hikma Pharmaceuticals US unit has sought a pre-patent expiry approval from the US FDA to sell a generic version of its Bridion injection, the drugmaker said in filing on Monday. Merck said, on Feb. 5, it received the letter under the Hatch-Waxman Act, through which a company can seek FDA approval to market a copycat before the expiration of patents related to the brand-name drug.

South Korea nurses to take on more medical work due to doctor walkout

South Korean nurses have been given legal protection to perform some medical procedures normally conducted by doctors, the health minister said on Tuesday, as authorities seek to ease the burden on hospital staff caused by a walkout of trainee doctors. Nurses have complained about the legal risk and heavier workload they face after trainee doctors walked off the job last week to protest against a government plan to boost the number of medical school admissions to address a shortage of doctors.

What Alabama ruling means for patients with frozen embryos: one woman's story

Three of Kristia Rumbley's embryos created at a clinic became her 7-year-old twins and 2-year-old son, while three have sat in freezers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for eight years in case she and her husband decide to have another kid. After Alabama's supreme court ruled on Feb. 16 that embryos were children, leaving it unclear how to legally store, transport and use them, Rumbley, 44, is seeking legal and medical advice on sending her last two embryos out of state as soon as possible.

Roche evaluates options for its lung disease drug

Swiss drugmaker Roche said on Monday it is evaluating options for its lung disease drug Esbriet, which has seen declining sales due to competition from cheaper copycat versions. A company spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters that the move was "part of the normal process to review (its) portfolio of established products", adding that it will take several months before a final decision is made.

Florida lawmakers pause 'unborn child' bill in wake of Alabama ruling -report

Florida lawmakers have paused efforts to pass a bill that would have provided protections to an "unborn child" but possibly hurt the state's in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics, as happened this month in Alabama, the Washington Post reported on Monday. Florida state Senator Erin Grall told the Post that "Although I have worked diligently to respond to questions and concerns, I understand there is still work that needs to be done" on her bill. It's unclear if the bill will be revived in this legislative session, which ends in two weeks.

New Zealand to shut indigenous health authority amid Maori protests

New Zealand's Maori Health Authority will be shutdown by June 20, the health minister said on Tuesday, as the centre-right government winds back indigenous policies of previous governments. The Maori Health Authority, or Te Aka Whai Ora, was established in 2022 to improve health outcomes of Maori, which lag the broader population. Maori make up 17% of the country's population.

(With inputs from agencies.)