Health News Roundup: Catalent sees weight-loss drugs boom driving bookings until FY 2026; New York sues PepsiCo over plastics it says pollute, hurt health and more

Elizabeth Hanna said the ADA "sold the good name of the organization" to sponsors like Splenda maker Heartland Food Products Group, "in violation of its own guidelines and standards of care on nutrition," in a lawsuit filed in state court in Bergen County, New Jersey. US FDA staff flags concerns about Merck's chronic cough drug The U.S. health regulator's staff on Wednesday flagged concerns that data on Merck's chronic cough drug might not be enough to prove the treatment's meaningful benefit, documents released ahead of a meeting of independent experts showed.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Catalent sees weight-loss drugs boom driving bookings until FY 2026

Catalent said on Wednesday it expected a majority of its current and upcoming production capacity for pre-filled syringes until fiscal year 2026 to soon be booked out, driven by booming demand for newer weight-loss drugs. The contract drug manufacturer plays a vital role in the production of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's Wegovy by filling self-injection pens for the weight-loss drug.

Ex-director accuses American Diabetes Association of 'pay to play' with sweetener Splenda

A former director of nutrition for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) sued the non-profit organization on Wednesday, accusing it of firing her for objecting to what she called a "pay to play" scheme to promote the no-calorie sweetener Splenda. Elizabeth Hanna said the ADA "sold the good name of the organization" to sponsors like Splenda maker Heartland Food Products Group, "in violation of its own guidelines and standards of care on nutrition," in a lawsuit filed in state court in Bergen County, New Jersey.

US FDA staff flags concerns about Merck's chronic cough drug

The U.S. health regulator's staff on Wednesday flagged concerns that data on Merck's chronic cough drug might not be enough to prove the treatment's meaningful benefit, documents released ahead of a meeting of independent experts showed. The drugmaker's shares were marginally down in afternoon trade.

German watchdog considers Ozempic export ban amid Europe shortages

German regulator BfArM is considering banning Ozempic exports as Europe's health systems grapple with shortage of the diabetes drug, which is in high demand for its weight-loss benefits. Use of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic for weight loss has caused shortages across Europe, where Britain and Belgium have temporarily banned its use for weight loss to secure availability for diabetics.

Eli Lilly plans single-digit billion dollar new German plant -sources

U.S. pharma company Eli Lilly plans an investment in the single-digit billion dollar range in a new plant in western Germany, people familiar with the matter told Reuters after the company called a news conference for Friday. The project will be fully funded by the medicines giant, which has experienced surging demand for diabetes drug Mounjaro, now also being used off-label for weight loss. No details were available on what the plant would produce.

US warns trade groups, influencers to disclose social media advertising

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Wednesday it has warned two trade associations and 12 dieticians and online influencers about social media posts promoting the artificial sweetener aspartame or sugary products without disclosing that they had been paid. Online influencers are required to disclose on their posts when they are paid to promote products.

US FDA approves CorMedix's drug for bloodstream infections

The U.S. health regulator on Wednesday approved CorMedix's antimicrobial drug for reduction of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with kidney disease, allowing the company to launch its first commercial product. The company plans to ready the drug for commercialization by end of the first quarter of 2024, CorMedix CEO Joe Todisco told Reuters.

US FDA approves Bristol-Myers' lung cancer drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bristol-Myers Squibb's lung cancer drug that was acquired as part of the company's $4.1 billion buyout of Turning Point Therapeutics last year. The drug, to be sold under the brand name Augtyro, is set to compete in a crowded market for lung cancer treatments that includes Bristol Myers' other cancer treatment Opdivo and rival cancer drugs from Roche, Merck and AstraZeneca.

New York sues PepsiCo over plastics it says pollute, hurt health

New York state sued PepsiCo on Wednesday, accusing the beverage and snack food giant of polluting the environment and endangering public health through its single-use plastic bottles, caps and wrappers. The lawsuit filed in state court in upstate Erie County is among the first by a U.S. state to target a major plastics producer.

Amazon says unapproved eye drops being removed from its platform

Amazon said on Wednesday it was in the process of removing seven unapproved eye drops from its e-commerce platform following a warning letter from the U.S. health regulator earlier this week. The products in question have been investigated and are in the process of being removed, a company spokesperson said.