Health News Roundup: FDA warns CVS, others against selling unapproved eye products; India's Kerala state reports two deaths from Nipah virus and more

The decision follows the recommendation of an independent data and safety monitoring board after it observed deterioration in liver function in four patients during a quarterly safety review. US CDC panel urges broad use of updated COVID-19 vaccines A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel on Tuesday called for a broad use of the updated COVID-19 vaccines approved by the government - covering ages 6 months and up - paving the way for a broad use of the shots in a vaccination campaign due to begin within days.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Timeline for supply limits on Novo Nordisk weight-loss drug unclear, US FDA says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it was not clear when supply of lower doses of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy would normalize, backtracking from its earlier estimates to resume supply of the popular weight-loss drug this month. The FDA, in its drug shortage list, listed the 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg doses of the drug with limited availability and that the duration of shortage was "to be decided", while the larger doses of 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg were still available. Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgense said last month the company's limits on U.S. supplies of starter doses of Wegovy will last into next year even as the Danish drugmaker spends billions boosting output to keep up with soaring demand.

FDA warns CVS, others against selling unapproved eye products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned eight companies, including pharmacy giants CVS Health Corp and Walgreens Boots Alliance, against manufacturing or marketing unapproved eye products. The eye products addressed in the FDA's letters to these companies are illegally marketed to treat conditions like conjunctivitis, cataract and glaucoma, the agency said, adding that such drugs pose an increased risk to users as they can bypass some of the body's natural defenses.

US FDA panel says popular decongestant used in cold medicines ineffective

An outside panel of experts to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday refused to back the effectiveness of oral over-the-counter (OTC) medicines made with phenylephrine, an ingredient widely used in cold and cough syrups. The panel unanimously voted against the effectiveness of orally administered phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant, adding that no more trials were required to prove otherwise.

Israel's health ministry recommends some wear masks indoors amid rise in COVID cases

Israel's health ministry on Tuesday advised people with compromised immune systems to wear masks in crowded indoor spaces as it marks an increase in COVID-19 hospitalisations ahead of the Jewish holidays. In a statement, the ministry said there was a "moderate rise" in hospitalisations due to a number of COVID variants found both in Israel and around the world.

India's Kerala state reports two deaths from Nipah virus

India has recorded two deaths from the rare Nipah virus in the state of Kerala, an official from the National Institute of Virology said on Tuesday. One person died this month while another death occurred on Aug. 30, said the official, who declined to be named.

Eiger to discontinue hepatitis drug study over safety concerns

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Inc said on Tuesday it would discontinue a late-stage study testing its experimental drug to treat the most severe form of viral hepatitis, due to safety concerns. The decision follows the recommendation of an independent data and safety monitoring board after it observed deterioration in liver function in four patients during a quarterly safety review.

US CDC panel urges broad use of updated COVID-19 vaccines

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel on Tuesday called for a broad use of the updated COVID-19 vaccines approved by the government - covering ages 6 months and up - paving the way for a broad use of the shots in a vaccination campaign due to begin within days. In making the recommendation on a vote of 13-1 to CDC Director Mandy Cohen, the advisers embraced a wide use of the shots rather than aiming at specific populations at higher risk. They met a day after U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized updated COVID vaccines made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech as well as by Moderna. Novavax said the FDA was still reviewing its shot.

COVID vaccine manufacturers set list price between $120-$130 per dose

U.S. COVID vaccine manufacturers set list prices for their shots between $120 and $130 per dose, company executives said at an advisory panel meeting of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech set the list price at $120 per dose, while Moderna said the list price for its shot is $129 per dose, for their respective COVID vaccines.

Majority of US dog owners hesitant about canine vaccines, study finds

The anti-vaccination movement that flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic appears to also apply to dog owners, increasing the risk of disease for dogs, their owners and their vets, according to a new study. The study of Canine Vaccination Hesitancy (CVH) by Boston University's School of Public Health was released on Aug. 26. It found 37% of owners consider dog vaccines to be unsafe, 22% of dog owners view them as ineffective, and 30% deem them unnecessary.

US CDC panel recommends broad use of updated COVID-19 vaccines

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel on Tuesday called for a broad use of the updated COVID-19 vaccines approved by the government - covering ages 6 months and up - paving the way for a broad use of the shots in a vaccination campaign due to begin within days. In making the recommendation to CDC Director Mandy Cohen, the advisers embraced a wide use of the shots rather than aiming at specific populations at higher risk. They met a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized updated COVID vaccines made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech as well as by Moderna. Novavax said the FDA was still reviewing its shot.

(With inputs from agencies.)