CDC officials have confirmed 62 cases of the rare neurological condition acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in children across 22 states this year, NPR reported. According to the article, cases of AFM, which can cause muscle weakness and paralysis in some cases, have surged over the past year and prompted concern from health officials. At least 65 cases are still under investigation by the CDC and they have not identified a common cause linking the illnesses, the article reported.
The Minnesota attorney general is suing 3 major pharmaceutical companies for “deceptive and misleading” price increases for insulin to treat diabetes, The Hill reported. According to the article, the lawsuit alleges that there is a deceptive difference between the sticker price of these insulins and the actual price that insurers pay after pharmacy benefit managers get discounts. The lawsuit was filed against Sanofi-Aventis, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly, the article reported.
A new study has found that most elderly patients taking multiple medications would be willing to reduce their daily pill regimen to reduce risk of adverse effects, Reuters reported. According to the article, approximately half of adults 65 years and older are taking 5 or more medications, which can become dangerous in certain combinations and contribute to adverse effects. The study found that 9 out of 10 patients are willing to stop taking 1 or more medications if their physician recommended it and two-thirds of older adults would like to cut back on the total number of medications they take, the article reported.