— Health news and commentary from around the Web gathered by MedPage Today staff
by
Kristen Monaco, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today
January 26, 2024
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King Charles III has been admitted to a hospital in London to undergo a procedure for his enlarged prostate. (AP)
Alabama executed a convicted murderer using nitrogen gas on Thursday, marking the first time this method has been used. (AP)
When it comes to viral spread, it apparently doesn’t matter if you close the toilet lid before flushing. (American Journal of Infection Control)
A Nevada woman filed a lawsuit claiming a surgical sponge had been left inside her abdomen following a C-section 18 years ago. (NBC News)
In another lawsuit, a former nurse at Mass General Brigham alleged wrongfully termination by the health system after refusing a COVID booster. (CBS News)
A Scottish study found extremely high levels of protection against cervical cancer with the HPV vaccine, including zero cases among females vaccinated before the age of 14. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute)
The FDA announced a consumer-level recall of one lot of dextroamphetamine (Zenzedi) tablets, a drug indicated for ADHD and narcolepsy, after a pharmacist reported finding an antihistamine in the bottle instead of dextroamphetamine.
The manufacturer of the recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches failed to test the product for heavy metals, the FDA found. (CBS News)
Meanwhile, cervical cancer diagnoses and mortality are increasing among U.S. women living in low-income areas, new data in the International Journal of Cancer show.
In FDA approval news, dupilumab (Dupixent) nabbed an expanded label for eosinophilic esophagitis to now include treatment of kids ages 1 year and up of a certain weight.
Liberta RC implant, the smallest rechargeable deep brain stimulation system, was approved for people with movement disorders, said maker Abbott.
The FDA also cleared Bone Health Technologies’ Osteoboost as the first non-pharmacological device-based prescription treatment for postmenopausal women with osteopenia, the company announced.
And finally, extended-release bupivacaine and meloxicam (Zynrelef) solution is now approved for postoperative pain following an expanded number of soft-tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures, said Heron Therapeutics.
The Minnesota Legislature started debate on whether or not to allow physician-assisted suicide. (AP)
Washington state reached a $149.5 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over its role in the opioid crisis. (AP)
A $600 charge for “surgical trays” after what’s supposed to be a free routine colonoscopy? (KFF Health News)
Mid-life women with greater exposure to toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, and mercury may have fewer eggs. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)
A 25-year-old dancer with a severe peanut allergy died of anaphylactic shock after eating cookies that didn’t list peanuts on the ingredient label. (People)
Only 13 Guinea worm disease cases were detected in 2023, a huge drop from the estimated 3.5 million global cases in 1986. (AP)
Could gene-editing wipe out mosquitoes that carry dengue, malaria, and other diseases? (NPR)
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Kristen Monaco is a senior staff writer, focusing on endocrinology, psychiatry, and nephrology news. Based out of the New York City office, she’s worked at the company since 2015.