Trending Health News Roundup

The summary includes updates on pharmaceutical advancements, market forecasts, corporate lawsuits, and public health concerns. Companies like Novartis and Abbott have raised their profit forecasts due to successful sales of their key drugs. Issues with the import of medications and regulatory lawsuits are highlighted, along with a cautionary tale about bird flu and a boy's rare disease.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Novartis has raised its 2024 earnings guidance for the second time, thanks to increased prescriptions for heart failure treatment Entresto and arthritis drug Cosentyx. The Swiss drugmaker now expects full-year adjusted operating income to grow by a 'mid- to high teens' percentage, up from a previous 'low double-digit to mid-teens' percentage.

Abbott Laboratories has also increased its profit forecast for the year after its second-quarter earnings surpassed Wall Street estimates. This financial growth was attributed to robust sales of glucose monitors and heart devices, although its diagnostics and nutrition units did not meet expectations.

Healthcare provider Ardent Health saw a lackluster debut on the NYSE, with shares opening 6% below their IPO price. This reflects the cautious sentiment of investors amid ongoing rate cut uncertainties, giving Ardent a market valuation of $2.15 billion.

Drugmaker Ardelyx has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The suit challenges the inclusion of its kidney disease drug, Xphozah, in the Medicare payment bundle system, arguing it could severely limit patient access to essential medications.

Boehringer Ingelheim and GoodRx announced that a biosimilar version of Abbvie's arthritis drug Humira will be available at a 92% discount on the GoodRx website. Customers can purchase both high- and low-concentration versions of the drug for $550 per two-pack.

The Chinese medical regulator has suspended the import and sale of Daewoong Bio's antibiotic cefodizime sodium after the South Korean company declined an inspection request. This decision violates China's Drug Administration Law.

Johnson & Johnson exceeded Wall Street estimates for its second-quarter profit, driven by strong sales of drugs like Darzalex and Stelara. However, sales of Stelara could decline dramatically by 2025 due to impending competition from six biosimilar versions.

Abbott Laboratories is planning an aggressive marketing campaign for its new glucose monitor, Lingo, targeting non-diabetic consumers. CEO Robert Ford believes the device could become a multi-billion-dollar product.

Pol Dominguez, an 11-year-old boy with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, spends his summer indoors to avoid potentially deadly ultraviolet radiation. The rare disease prevents his body from repairing DNA damage caused by the sun.

As bird flu spreads, health experts are increasingly worried about the risks posed by the culling and disposal of infected poultry. Current methods may expose humans and livestock to the virus, highlighting the need for safer practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)