Health News Roundup: Suspected fentanyl chemical suppliers have received $38 million in crypto -Chainalysis; Indian labs to give 'top priority' to tests on cough syrup exports - regulator and more

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. Sarepta says FDA may limit gene therapy nod to smaller population, shares fall Sarepta Therapeutics Inc said the U.S. drug regulator could initially approve its gene therapy for a muscle wasting disorder for a smaller patient group after the agency deferred an accelerated approval decision, sending its shares down 7%.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Suspected fentanyl chemical suppliers have received $38 million in crypto -Chainalysis

Suspected sellers of chemicals used to manufacture the deadly drug fentanyl have received tens of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency since 2018, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. Regulators around the world have warned that crypto assets are used to finance illegal activity. Crypto transactions related to illicit activity hit a record $20 billion in 2022, Chainalysis said in January.

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.

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.

Sarepta says FDA may limit gene therapy nod to smaller population, shares fall

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc said the U.S. drug regulator could initially approve its gene therapy for a muscle wasting disorder for a smaller patient group after the agency deferred an accelerated approval decision, sending its shares down 7%. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deferred the highly anticipated approval decision for the company's gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to June 22 from May 29 as it needs more time to complete the review. Sarepta said on Wednesday the FDA has indicated it could initially grant an accelerated approval for the therapy, called SRP-9001, for use in DMD patients aged 4 and 5. The drug was tested in DMD patients who could walk, with the mean age of about 7 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.

Factbox-U.S. state abortion legislation to watch in 2023

State legislatures are wrestling with how much to restrict or expand abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Here is a snapshot of pending and passed legislation seeking to restrict or protect access in 2023.

Denmark wants to lower abortion age without parental consent to 15

Denmark wants to lower the age of abortion without parental consent to 15 years from 18 currently, in line with the country's age of consent, minister for gender equality Marie Bjerre said on Wednesday. The majority government announced its decision to support the proposal on the day marking the 50th anniversary of a law granting women the right to chose abortion.

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, baby formula makers face FTC probe for potential collusion

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is probing whether Abbott Laboratories and other companies that make baby formula colluded in bidding on state contracts, according to a document posted on the agency's website. The FTC is looking into whether the companies "engaged in collusion or coordination with any other market participant regarding the bidding," according to the document.