The state House of Representatives unanimously approved a comprehensive bill that aims to shed light on the murky prescription drug industry, which state officials say is a necessary first step to lowering expensive drug costs.
FDA
Posted inHealth, Politics
FDA nominee Gottlieb says he’d challenge Trump on vaccines
WASHINGTON — Scott Gottlieb, a Westport doctor, calmly defused tough questions from Democrats during the confirmation hearing Wednesday on his nomination to head the Food and Drug Administration, promising to safeguard the agency’s rigorous review of drug and medical devices.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Westporter Gottlieb to face Senate scrutiny of his bid to head FDA
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Murphy will introduce Scott Gottlieb, a Westport resident and candidate to head the Food and Drug Administration, to fellow members of the Senate panel that’s key to his confirmation – but that won’t keep the nominee from having a bit of a rough ride among Democrats.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Senate approves Murphy mental health bill
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy had a significant win Wednesday as the Senate gave final approval to a bill that included his legislation to overhaul the mental health system. “For all the downsides about this job, this is one of those moments that keeps you coming back,” he said.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Congress lambastes company CEO over EpiPen price hike
WASINGTION — There was a bipartisan bashing of Mylan CEO Heather Bresch Wednesday over her company’s huge price increases on EpiPen, the auto-injector that delivers a drug that counters the effects of a potentially fatal allergic reaction.
Posted inEducation, Health, Politics
Blumenthal calls for EpiPen antitrust probe
WASHINGTON – Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether EpiPen manufacturer Mylan broke anti-trust laws when it gave away or sold its product at discounted prices to schools.
Posted inPolitics
Senate moves to quash CT’s GMO food labeling law
WASHINGTON — In a key procedural vote, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to pre-empt Connectcut’s genetically modified food labeling law, replacing it with a national food safety standard advocates say would be much weaker and not apply to many foods.
Posted inMoney
CT lawmakers seek FDA crackdown on false ‘maple-flavored’ labeling
WASHINGTON – It’s a sticky situation, but Rep. Joe Courtney and other Connecticut lawmakers are backing the state’s maple sugar producers who say they – and consumers – are being hurt by those who mislabel their products as containing maple.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Herbicide finding intensifies battle over GMO labeling
More than two years after passing the nation’s first law requiring labels on most foods containing genetically engineered components, there are still no labels for Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs – in Connecticut or anywhere else in the U.S. But GMO labeling advocates now have some new ammunition for a counter-offensive.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT not immune to big food poisoning cases
WASHINGTON – While the most recent big incident of food poisoning involves Chipotle Mexican Grill in Oregon and Washington state, Connecticut has not been spared from multi-state cases of food contamination, and federal officials say the threat of big food outbreaks is on the rise.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut must find balance on medical marijuana issue
I recently came across an op-ed in the Hartford Courant written by Dr. Yifrah Kaminer on July 5. He outlined his concerns and opinions about Connecticut’s medical marijuana program — including his opposition to a proposal to spend $60,000 to educate physicians and patients about medical marijuana. As a board certified pediatrician who has been practicing for 38 years, I felt compelled to respond.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Should Connecticut ban e-cigs from public places?
Can an electronic cigarette help you quit smoking? Is it safer than a regular cigarette, or are those claims simply smoke and mirrors? The Connecticut legislature is considering a bill prohibiting the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, vapor products, and similar devices in the same places smoking is prohibited. Here are excerpts from what a number of witnesses, both pro and con, told the Public Health Committee about HB 6283 in written testimony for a recent public hearing.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT lawmakers join war on heroin, painkillers
Washington – Washington has turned its attention to the epidemic of heroin addiction and overdose deaths – including more than 250 in Connecticut last year, but there’s a limit to what the federal government and Congress can do, especially in times of tight budget constraints.