-
Pottstown Nurses Secure Three-Year Contract
Nurses at Tower Health’s Pottstown Hospital in Pennsylvania have approved a new three-year labor contract. This agreement impacts nearly 300 nurses and was ratified on August 6. The contract results from negotiations between the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals and the hospital. It aims to address key concerns of the nursing staff,…
-
VA to Limit Abortion Access for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to restrict abortion access under its healthcare programs, reversing a 2022 policy. This change follows the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The 2022 policy allowed federal funds for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or health threats to the mother. The new rule will only…
-
Vertex Pain Drug Fails Phase 2 Trial
Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced that its non-opioid pain reliever, VX993, did not meet the primary endpoints in a Phase 2 clinical trial. The drug failed to show significant improvement over a placebo in managing pain. This setback highlights the challenges in developing effective non-opioid alternatives amid the ongoing opioid crisis. The failure of VX993 impacts Vertex’s…
-
Phishing Attack Breaches US Cancer Centers
A coordinated phishing attack has compromised sensitive patient data at multiple U.S. cancer centers affiliated with Integrated Oncology Network (ION). The breach, occurring between December 13 and 16, 2024, accessed employee email and SharePoint accounts, exposing protected health information such as names, diagnoses, and Social Security numbers. Over 130,000 individuals are affected, with major centers…
-
FDA Approves LENZ Eye Drop for Presbyopia
The FDA has approved LENZ Therapeutics’ VIZZ, an aceclidine ophthalmic solution, marking it as the first FDA-approved eye drop for presbyopia in adults. Presbyopia, a condition causing blurred vision due to aging, affects approximately 128 million people in the U.S. This approval represents a significant advancement in treatment options for this widespread condition. VIZZ, previously…
-
AI and Organoids Revolutionize Drug Testing
Congress and the FDA are advocating for a shift from animal testing to advanced technologies in drug research. Researchers at Children’s Mercy Hospital have developed lab-grown ‘hearts’ from stem cells, which can help personalize treatment and reduce trial and error. These organoids, along with ‘organ-on-a-chip’ technology, offer more accurate drug testing, potentially saving the industry…
