Health News Roundup: FDA classifies recall of Boston Scientific device as 'most serious'; Vanda adopts 'poison pill' after rejecting Future Pak's offer and more

The vaccine's efficacy remained high at 82% at year 11 after initial vaccination, GSK said, citing data from a long-term follow-up, late-stage trial that tracked participants for up to about 11 years after they were first vaccinated with Shingrix. Explainer-Why are US pharmacy benefit managers under fire? Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are in the crosshairs of Republicans and Democrats in Congress but have so far dodged any new litigation or reforms that had been targeted for inclusion in last month's U.S. government budget deal.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

GSK says efficacy of its shingles vaccine remains high after years

British drugmaker GSK said on Wednesday long-term data showed that its blockbuster shingles vaccine, Shingrix, had 79.7% efficacy in participants aged 50 years and above, six to 11 years after vaccination. The vaccine's efficacy remained high at 82% at year 11 after initial vaccination, GSK said, citing data from a long-term follow-up, late-stage trial that tracked participants for up to about 11 years after they were first vaccinated with Shingrix.

Explainer-Why are US pharmacy benefit managers under fire?

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are in the crosshairs of Republicans and Democrats in Congress but have so far dodged any new litigation or reforms that had been targeted for inclusion in last month's U.S. government budget deal. Many lawmakers, drugmakers and government officials have pointed a finger at these industry middle men, suggesting they play a critical role in high prescription drug costs in the United States. The following is what you need to know about PBMs.

Most of Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound doses in limited supply, FDA says

Most doses of Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro and weight-loss drug Zepbound would be in limited supply through the second quarter of this year due to increased demand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website showed on Wednesday. Both drugs had limited availability for the 5 milligram (mg), 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg doses, the website noted. The 2.5 milligram doses for the treatments were listed as available.

Arizona Republicans blocking Democratic attempt to repeal 1864 abortion ban

Democrats in the Arizona House of Representatives tried repeatedly on Wednesday to repeal an 1864 ban on abortion that is poised to become state law once again, but were blocked each time by Republicans in the closely divided legislature. In four votes, the chamber deadlocked 30-30 on a motion that would allow a repeal bill to come to the floor, with one Republican joining the 29 Democrats. The chamber went into recess after the fourth vote and was due to reconvene later in the day to possibly try again, leaving the final outcome in suspense.

Vanda adopts 'poison pill' after rejecting Future Pak's offer

Vanda Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday rejected a takeover proposal from Future Pak and adopted a shareholder rights plan to reduce the likelihood of a hostile takeover. Shares of Washington, DC-based drugmaker jumped 37.78% to $5.58 but were still trading below the offer price of $7.25 to $7.75 per share in cash.

Lilly's weight-loss drug reduces sleep apnea severity in late-stage trials

Eli Lilly said on Wednesday its weight-loss drug helped reduce episodes of irregular breathing associated with a common sleep-related disorder in two late-stage trials, paving the way for expanding use of the drug. The drug cut the frequency of irregular breathing episodes by as much as 63% across the two studies.

Italian ruling coalition plan would curb abortion rights, critics say

A proposal by Italy's right-wing ruling coalition that would allow groups who "support motherhood" into abortion clinics will make it easier for anti-abortionists to harass women and limit their rights, critics of the move said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party attached an amendment this week to allow such groups into publicly-run family clinics to a bill focused on the country's post-COVID recovery plan.

Sage Therapeutics scraps plans for Parkinson's drug after mid-stage failure

Sage Therapeutics said on Wednesday it would stop working on its experimental drug for Parkinson's disease after the treatment failed a mid-stage study, sending the company's shares to a record low in morning trading. The failure is the latest setback for Sage Therapeutics after it and partner Biogen's pill, Zurzuvae, won U.S. approval for treating postpartum depression, but was rejected for clinical depression, which is a much larger market, forcing the company to cut about 40% of its workforce.

FDA classifies recall of Boston Scientific device as 'most serious'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday classified a recall of Boston Scientific's device used to block blood flow during excessive bleeding or hemorrhaging as "most serious". An investigation showed that Boston's device, Obsidio Embolic, when used with a specific technique posed a higher risk of bowel ischemia during procedures to stop gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, the agency said.

Abbott's device sales drive profit beat, but shares fall as forecast disappoints

Abbott Laboratories beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit on Wednesday on robust sales of its medical devices, but the company's stock fell 3% in morning trading, signaling disappointment over its annual forecast. Investor expectations around the performance of medical device makers have been heightened since last November after a resurgence in demand, as people, especially older adults, opted for medical procedures deferred during the pandemic.

(With inputs from agencies.)