Health News Roundup: US pharmacy benefit lobby group ramps up spending as lawmakers close in; France's Sanofi boosts rare disease business with about $2.2 billion Inhibrx deal and more

The companies said the deal will give Sanofi access to Inhibrx's INBRX-101, currently in the second of three phases of clinical trials, while its other experimental drugs will be spun off into a separate company, with Sanofi retaining an 8% stake. US pharmacy benefit lobby group ramps up spending as lawmakers close in As U.S. pharmacy benefit companies face scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators, the main group representing them in Washington has nearly doubled its lobbying spend to over $15 million in 2023, a Reuters review of congressional disclosures shows.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Gene therapy restores hearing in five of six deaf children in trial

An experimental gene therapy being developed by a Chinese company restored hearing in children with congenital deafness, researchers working on a clinical trial reported on Wednesday, adding to growing evidence of the efficacy of such treatments. Five of six young children with profound deafness experienced hearing recovery and improvements in speech recognition six months after treatment with the therapy from Refreshgene Therapeutics, according to the report published in The Lancet.

South America dengue spike prompts vaccination drive as bug spray runs out

South America is seeing a surge in cases of the mosquito-borne disease dengue during the southern hemisphere summer, prompting Brazil to roll out a novel vaccine campaign, while in Argentina many stores have run out of bug spray. With 2023 already having set a record for dengue cases in the region, Argentina has seen a sharp spike in the disease that's endemic in much of Latin America. While often asymptomatic, dengue can be fatal.

Exclusive-Suspected fake Ozempic linked to three US cases of hypoglycemia

Three people sought medical treatment for dangerously low blood sugar in the U.S. last year after taking suspected fake versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic, America's Poison Centers told Reuters. One person also experienced hypoglycemia in 2023 after injecting a compounded version of Ozempic, said the organization, which represents 55 regional poison centers across the country and works with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify public health risks.

US FDA still reviewing Liquidia's inhaled blood pressure drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is still reviewing Liquidia's drug to treat a progressive blood vessel disorder related to a lung condition, the company said on Thursday. The FDA was expected to make its decision by Wednesday, but it is still reviewing Liquidia's marketing application for possible approval, although it has not asked for any additional clinical data to support the application.

South Korea warns against social media trend of eating fried toothpicks

A health warning from South Korea's food ministry has urged people not to eat fried toothpicks made of starch in a shape resembling curly fries, after the practice went viral in social media posts. Video clips showing people consuming the deep-fried starch toothpicks with seasoning such as powdered cheese have racked up thousands of likes and shares on TikTok and Instagram.

France's Sanofi boosts rare disease business with about $2.2 billion Inhibrx deal

French healthcare company Sanofi has agreed to buy U.S. biotech firm Inhibrx in a deal valued at up to $2.2 billion, bolstering its drug development portfolio with an experimental treatment for a rare genetic disease. The companies said the deal will give Sanofi access to Inhibrx's INBRX-101, currently in the second of three phases of clinical trials, while its other experimental drugs will be spun off into a separate company, with Sanofi retaining an 8% stake.

US pharmacy benefit lobby group ramps up spending as lawmakers close in

As U.S. pharmacy benefit companies face scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators, the main group representing them in Washington has nearly doubled its lobbying spend to over $15 million in 2023, a Reuters review of congressional disclosures shows. That puts them behind only the $27 million spent by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the usual No. 1 and main lobby group for drugmakers that has tried to deflect criticism for high drug prices by blaming the industry's middlemen, the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

US signs up record 21.3 million people for 2024 Obamacare plans

A record 21.3 million Americans have so far enrolled for coverage under Obamacare health insurance for 2024, a 31% jump over the year earlier, and the highest since its inception, the U.S. government said on Wednesday. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was signed in 2010 and was former U.S. President Barack Obama's signature piece of domestic legislation which helps low and middle-income Americans who do not have access to affordable health insurance coverage through an employer.

Insurer Humana sounds warning over 2025 profit, shares tumble

Health insurer Humana said on Thursday that its 2025 profit forecast was no longer achievable after an increase in medical care among older adults led to a sharply lower outlook for this year, sending its shares plunging 16%. Medical costs for health insurers have surged in recent quarters as people, especially older adults, returned to hospitals to undergo procedures like joint replacements which they had delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lilly's Mounjaro dose in limited availability in US through next month

A dose of Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro has limited availability through February 2024, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website, due to an increase in demand.

The health regulator's website showed the 12.5 milligram dose of the injection will be available in limited amounts, while other doses of Mounjaro are available.