News from other sources...

Information technology

ONC launching patient matching algorithm challenge | Health Data Management

To encourage the development of new patient-matching algorithms and measure the industry's performance, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will launch its Patient Matching Algorithm Challenge in June.

Government

Democratic senators question Trump over dismissal of surgeon general | STAT News

Democrats sent a letter to President Donald Trump today asking for more information about the dismissal of Dr. Vivek Murthy from the post of U.S. Surgeon General, saying that the dismissal "raises serious concerns."

Safety, quality and clinical practice

Black Americans are living longer, C.D.C. reports​ | The New York Times

The gap in life expectancy between white and black Americans is closing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, with blacks who live to 65 expected to live longer than whites who make it to the same age. But black Americans under 65 are still more likely than whites to die from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

FDA delays enforcement of stricter standards for e-cigarette, cigar industry | The Washington Post.

Last year, a rule was finalized that would allow the FDA to regulate all tobacco products—including e-cigs. The Trump administration has just postponed enforcement of the rule, and, as such, e-cig and cigar manufacturers will not have to submit ingredient information until August 8.

Medical devices and equipment

Medtronic bags FDA nod for stent tipped to halt falling sales | Fierce Biotech

More than two years after Medtronic brought its Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stent to European markets, the FDA granted the device maker approval for sale in the U.S.

Could wireless signals help diagnose diseases? | Medical Design and Outsourcing

A new device developed by MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory hangs on the wall of a person's house to measure his or her walking speed, tracking changes over time to provude insight into the person's health

Pharmaceuticals

AstraZeneca pays $45M, commits to $2B to team with Pieris | Fierce Biotech

AstraZeneca paid $45 million to partner with Pieris Pharmaceuticals to develop respiratory drugs, including potential asthma treatment PRS-060, which will be brought into phase 1 clinical trials in 2017.