Pharmaceuticals
FDA rejects Teva's Huntington's disease drug | Wall Street JournalThe FDA rejected the Israeli-based drug maker's application for a medicine intended to treat symptoms of Huntington's disease. In a letter, the FDA asked Teva to examine the effects on the metabolism for a drug included called deutetrabenazine. Teva said they would respond to the letter by the end of the fall.
Billionaire invests big stake in Allergan | Wall Street Journal
Carl Icahn, a billionaire shareholder, announced he invested a large stake in Allergan, an Ireland-based pharmaceutical company. Icahn didn't disclose the sum but said he is confident in CEO Brent Saunder's leadership. The company's stock has decreased by 25% this year in the wake of its collapsed sale to Pfizer Inc.
Physicians
Radiology board plans to drop 10-year recertification exam | MedscapeThe American Board of Radiology announced that it plans to pilot a program in 2018 that would replace the 10-year exam required for radiologists to remain board certified. The pilot will be an online assessment tailored to radiologists' specific expertise and will allow them to complete it in batches instead of all at once.
Safety, quality and clinical practice
CarePoint Health cuts ER wait times with check-in system | NJ.comCarePoint Health in New Jersey has implemented an emergency care check-in system that lets patients schedule non-threatening emergency care online at their home. The service is intended to decrease ER wait times. More than 1,000 patients have used the online service.
White House removes FDA's plan to restrict flavored e-cigs | Reuters
The White House Office of Management and Budget deleted a 90-day grace period for flavored tobacco products in a FDA final rule that extends electronic cigarettes as tobacco products in early August. A White House spokeswoman said the office does not comment on changes made during the review process.
