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Medical devices and equipment

U.S. judge cuts $500 million verdict over J&J hip implants | Reuters

A U.S. judge has slashed a $500 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson and its DePuy unit over allegedly defective metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip implants to approximately $151 million.

Pharmaceuticals

Sanders, other lawmakers urge FDA to approve generic Crestor | STAT

In a pointed letter, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and several other lawmakers urged the FDA to approve generic versions of the best-selling cholesterol pill, Crestor. They maintained that a successful legal challenge by AstraZeneca, which sued the agency last week to avoid competition, would be “disastrous” for consumer.

Drug maker warned over missing study about child opioids use | STAT

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals has failed to provide the FDA with a required study about the effect its powerful painkiller Xartemis XR might have on teenagers. As of June 24, the company missed its March 31 deadline for submitting a pediatric assessment.

Physicians

Alabama Medicaid cuts physicians payments | AL.com

The Alabama Medicaid Agency is reducing some payments to doctors to help address what the agency describes as a "budget crisis."

Safety, quality and clinical practice

Survey shows physicians don't use or share data often enough | Forbes

A new survey, conducted by Nielsen Strategic Health Perspectives, found that 50% of physicians say they provide their patients with a portal to see their laboratory and imaging results. About 27% let patients make an appointment online and 49% report being able to share medical records with other physicians.

Anti-HIV pill may not be reaching those at risk | Reuters

Only a small proportion of gay and bisexual men who could have taken a daily pill to reduce their risk of HIV actually did so, according to a study by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The study also found that young gay and bisexual men were less likely to take the medication than their counterparts.