EU Regulatory Updates and Major Health Developments

Recent health news highlights include the EU regulator's approval of GSK's RSV vaccine for adults aged 50-59, the rejection of Eisai and Biogen's Alzheimer's drug, Dutch state aid for medical isotopes production, an opioid settlement involving Indivior, US FDA warnings on drug dosages, US anti-vax propaganda in the Philippines, the closure of two hospitals by Steward Health, the end of a Newcastle disease outbreak in Brazil, and a $495 million Abbott infant formula verdict.

The European Union health regulator has recommended the expanded use of GSK's RSV vaccine for adults aged 50-59. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use's recommendation awaits formal approval from the European Commission.

In Europe, the drugs regulator rejected Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi for early Alzheimer's disease, citing risks of serious brain swelling. The decision complicates the landscape for new neurological treatments.

The Netherlands secured EU approval for $2.2 billion in state aid to build a reactor producing medical isotopes for cancer treatments. Meanwhile, Indivior reached an $86 million settlement with 16 US states over its role in the opioid crisis.

The US FDA warned of dosage risks with compounded versions of Novo's weight-loss drugs. In other news, the US Defense Department admitted to spreading anti-China vaccine propaganda in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steward Health Care announced the closure of two Massachusetts hospitals due to bankruptcy. In Brazil, the government declared an end to a Newcastle disease outbreak, paving the way to resume poultry exports. Lastly, Abbott Laboratories was ordered to pay $495 million in damages over its specialized infant formula.