Walgreens invests $330M in CareCentrix in post-acute care bet
Walgreens significantly invested in two companies to meet its long-term strategy, with one focused on primary care and the other on post-acute care.
Biden circling former FDA chief Califf to again lead agency: report
The Washington Post reported the administration was “closing in” on the choice, citing unnamed sources. Still, the White House declined to comment and he could face opposition from Senate Democrats.
Medtechs need strategy to prevent bias in AI-machine learning-based devices: FDA
The agency is mulling the types of information medtechs might include in labeling for such devices to support transparency. A Philips rep worried about the pitfalls of “information overload.”
FDA advisers unanimously back Moderna booster shot for many Americans
But the committee members remain opposed to broad use of boosters in healthy young adults, for whom the benefits of an additional shot are less clear.
NIH study finds mixing COVID-19 boosters increases immune response
Results suggested Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines may serve as a more potent booster for those who initially received Johnson & Johnson’s shot, although data are limited and preliminary.
Walgreens doubles stake in provider network VillageMD with $5.2B investment
Thursday’s investment hikes Walgreens’ stake in VillageMD from 30% to 63% as the pharmacy operator looks to increases its presence in the red-hot primary care market.
UnitedHealth, with profit up 29%, expects contested Change acquisition to close early 2022
The closing news is likely to anger hospital groups, which have raised concerns the deal could hurt health IT competition and give UnitedHealthcare an unfair advantage in contract negotiations. DOJ is investigating the deal.
FDA staff take neutral stance on Moderna, J&J boosters ahead of two-day meeting
Advisers are discussing an authorization of Moderna’s booster on Thursday, with a vote on recommendations to the FDA expected this afternoon.
New York Attorney General sends cease and desist to hospital allegedly using unlicensed temporary staffing agency amid strike
The letter asks the agency to stop providing services to Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital in Buffalo either for employment or security, and to make sure replacement workers do not interfere with the rights of picketers.
Abbott, Dexcom could benefit from CGM use jump among Type 2 diabetes patients: report
The population could drive the next wave of demand for devices to track and control diabetes, Jefferies analysts predict, following a recent CMS coverage change that rolled back restrictions to CGM access.