Health News Roundup: Social media could harm youth mental health, U.S. Surgeon General warns; Switzerland to ban tobacco advertising aimed at young people and more

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it needs more time to complete the review of SRP-9001.The deferral followed a meeting of the regulator's external advisers less than two weeks ago, where the panel narrowly backed an accelerated approval for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy with 8-6 votes. Britain plugs nursing gaps with international staff amid WHO concern Britain recruited a record number of international nurses in the last financial year to plug hospital staffing shortages, with as many as 10% coming from so-called "red-list" countries where health staff should not be actively recruited.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Social media could harm youth mental health, U.S. Surgeon General warns

Social media can profoundly harm the mental health of youth, particularly adolescent girls, the U.S. Surgeon General warned in an advisory on Tuesday, and he called for safeguards from tech companies for children who are at critical stages of brain development. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said that while social media offers some benefits, there are "ample indicators that social media could also harm children's well-being."

Switzerland to ban tobacco advertising aimed at young people

Switzerland will ban advertising of tobacco products and e-cigarettes aimed at young people, the government said on Wednesday, implementing a decision passed in a referendum last year. The cabinet said it would strengthen its already planned restrictions to bar advertising in places and media where young people can see it.

Abortion pill maker seeks to keep challenge to W. Va. abortion ban alive

Lawyers for abortion pill maker GenBioPro Inc on Tuesday urged a West Virginia federal judge to allow them to proceed with their challenge to the state's near-total abortion ban, claiming it is invalid because it interferes with the federal government's approval of mifepristone. U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers at a hearing in Huntington, West Virginia at times seemed skeptical of claims by the state's lawyer, Jennifer Scragg Karr, that West Virginia has the power to regulate potentially dangerous drugs beyond what is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

FDA defers decision for Sarepta's gene therapy to June 22 from May 29

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc said the U.S. drug regulator deferred an accelerated approval decision for its gene therapy for a muscle wasting disorder to June 22 from May 29, sending its shares tumbling 16% before the bell. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it needs more time to complete the review of SRP-9001.The deferral followed a meeting of the regulator's external advisers less than two weeks ago, where the panel narrowly backed an accelerated approval for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy with 8-6 votes.

Britain plugs nursing gaps with international staff amid WHO concern

Britain recruited a record number of international nurses in the last financial year to plug hospital staffing shortages, with as many as 10% coming from so-called "red-list" countries where health staff should not be actively recruited. Britain has long hired from abroad to staff its state-run National Health Service (NHS), and its vote to leave the European Union in 2016 meant the number of EU staff has dropped sharply in recent years.

Obesity fighting success fuels Novo bet on gene-editing tech

Capitalising on strong demand for its obesity therapies, Novo Nordisk's growing appetite for deals has fuelled a bet on a U.S. gene-editing company called Life Edit Therapeutics. The Danish drugmaker's collaboration with Durham, North Carolina-based Life Edit Therapeutics - owned by ElevateBio, a cell and gene therapy company in Waltham - is focused on up to seven programs for rare genetic disorders as well as cardiometabolic diseases.

Rich nations must do more to fight pandemics -WHO draft treaty

Richer countries should be asked to better pull their weight in helping the world cope with pandemics, according to a new draft of a treaty being negotiated at the World Health Organization. Countries with more "capacities and resources" should bear a "commensurate degree" of responsibility for preparing for and responding to global health threats, the document, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, suggests.

Indian labs to give 'top priority' to tests on cough syrup exports - regulator

India's government laboratories should give "top priority" to testing cough syrup for export, the drug regulator said on Wednesday, after the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan were linked to the medicines. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's directive also said laboratories should issue test reports immediately, or as early as possible, after analysing samples from manufacturers.

South Carolina lawmakers pass six-week abortion ban, send to governor

South Carolina lawmakers on Tuesday passed a ban on most abortions after fetal cardiac activity begins, around six weeks.

The hotly contested bill, which Republican Governor Henry McMaster is expected to sign, passed mostly along party lines, with the notable exception of the state senate's five women members, who opposed it.

Abbott, other formula makers face FTC investigation for collusion - WSJ

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether baby-formula makers colluded on bids for attractive state contracts, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The FTC is looking into whether Abbott Laboratories and other formula manufacturers have "engaged in collusion or coordination with any other market participant regarding the bidding", the WSJ report said, citing documents posted to FTC's website.