Health News Roundup: E-cigarette use by US high school students falls in 2023 -survey; Indiana attorney general reprimanded over abortion doctor remarks and more

Huge demand for new treatments such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has prompted questions about the implications for a range of industries, including brewers, and sparked share sell offs in companies involved in everything from food to healthcare. Novo Nordisk, Lilly see insatiable demand for weight-loss drugs Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly both expect juggernaut sales for their diabetes and weight-loss drugs to extend into coming years - limited only by their availability.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Bird flu infects Arkansas poultry as US cases rise

Arkansas, a major U.S. chicken producer, has reported its first outbreak of lethal avian flu in a commercial poultry flock in a year, as the nation sees an uptick in cases. The outbreak is set to expand export restrictions on U.S. poultry in major producing states as buyers limit purchases from infected areas.

E-cigarette use by US high school students falls in 2023 -survey

E-cigarette use among U.S. high school students dropped significantly this year to 10% from 14%, according to a government survey on Thursday, even as the potentially addictive nicotine devices remained the most used tobacco product among teens and children. The 2023 school-based survey, conducted between March and June, was the first clear sign of a drop in the use of vapes and other e-cigarettes by students, typically aged 14-18 years old, since the COVID-19 pandemic when year-over-year comparisons were difficult.

Indiana attorney general reprimanded over abortion doctor remarks

A divided Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday publicly reprimanded Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita for statements he made about a doctor in the state who performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The court found that Rokita violated professional conduct rules for lawyers when he described Dr. Caitlin Bernard in a July 2022 Fox News interview as an "abortion activist acting as a doctor" who had failed to report past child abuse cases.

Why brewers aren't worried about Wegovy users drinking less beer

Global brewers AB InBev and Carlsberg this week played down concerns among some investors that demand for weight-loss drugs may lead to a sharp drop in beer drinking. Huge demand for new treatments such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has prompted questions about the implications for a range of industries, including brewers, and sparked share sell offs in companies involved in everything from food to healthcare.

Novo Nordisk, Lilly see insatiable demand for weight-loss drugs

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly both expect juggernaut sales for their diabetes and weight-loss drugs to extend into coming years - limited only by their availability. The two companies have been the primary beneficiaries of the global boom in obesity drugs, ballooning their market values and reshaping expectations not just in the healthcare industry, but also for sellers of sugary snacks, nutritional aids and packaged foods.

Moderna reins in 2023 COVID vaccine forecast, shares tumble

Moderna on Thursday said its 2023 sales would only hit the low end of its $6 billion to $8 billion forecast, reflecting weaker demand for COVID-19 vaccines, and its shares slumped 8%. The vaccine maker also pushed back to 2025 the launch of its flu shot, which it had previously said it expected to be available in 2024.

Cardinal lifts FY profit outlook again on strong sales of specialty drugs

Drug distributor Cardinal Health on Friday raised its full-year earnings forecast for the second time in nearly three months, betting on strong demand for specialty medicines. Cardinal's shares rose about 4% in premarket trading after the company also reported quarterly profit above Wall Street estimates like its rivals Cencora and McKesson.

Stryker tightens profit forecast on steady demand for its medical devices

Stryker Corp on Thursday raised the lower end of its full-year profit forecast as the medtech company sees steady demand for its medical and surgical devices from a post-pandemic pick-up in volumes of surgical procedures at hospitals. The joint-implant maker raised the lower end of its profit forecast to $10.35 from 10.25 per share, while keeping the top-end of the range unchanged at $10.45.

Lilly's blockbuster Mounjaro boosts third quarter results, supply issues persist

Surging demand for Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro, which is also being used off-label for weight loss, led to a surprise third-quarter profit, but the drugmaker on Thursday said it expects supply constraints for some time as it adds manufacturing capacity. Lilly shares have rallied over 60% this year, making it the world's most valuable healthcare company, as investors have bet on Mounjaro's success. Shares were up another 5% in early trading on Thursday.

The Jordan Company seeks to buy medical equipment maker Tidi -sources

Buyout firm The Jordan Company has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire medical equipment maker Tidi Products from Roundtable Healthcare Partners for at least $900 million, people familiar with the matter said. There is no certainty the discussions will lead to the sale of the Neenah, Wisconsin-based company, the sources said, requesting anonymity to discuss confidential matters.