Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Water Insecurity Makes World 'Less Stable,' Harris Says
AP: Harris Calls Water Security A Foreign Policy Priority
Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday the U.S. is safer if people in other countries have sufficient water to drink, grow food and safely dispose of sewage, emphasizing that water access is a foreign policy priority. Harris said making sure that every country has enough water will prevent conflicts, improve health outcomes and boost local economies. Working towards those goals will make the world more stable and secure, according to a newly released White House plan to address issues facing global water supplies and quality. (Naishadham and Phillis, 6/1)
AP: Nightclub Needle Attacks Puzzle European Authorities
Across France, more than 300 people have reported being pricked out of the blue with needles at nightclubs or concerts in recent months. Doctors and multiple prosecutors are on the case, but no one knows who’s doing it or why, and whether the victims have been injected with drugs — or indeed any substance at all. Club owners and police are trying to raise awareness, and a rapper even interrupted his recent show to warn concert-goers about the risk of surprise needle attacks. (Deley, 6/2)
The Washington Post: Italy Lifts All Pandemic Entry Restrictions
Italy lifted its remaining pandemic-era entry restrictions Wednesday, making it easier for foreign tourists to visit as the busy summer-travel season ramps up. “As of June 1, 2022 a Green Pass or equivalent certificate is no longer needed to enter Italy,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in an announcement. Previously, travelers had to show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus, proof of recovery from the disease or a negative test result, to bypass a five-day quarantine. (Diller, 6/1)
Stat: Italian Authorities Fine Drugmaker For 'Excessive' Pricing Of Rare Disease Drug
Antitrust regulators in Italy have fined a drugmaker nearly $3.8 million for years of “excessive” price hikes on a rare disease medicine, the latest instance in which European authorities have cracked down on the pharmaceutical industry for harming consumers and taxpayers. At issue is a medicine known as CDCA that is used to treat people with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, or CTX, a rare genetic metabolic disease. A version was available for decades at a low cost. But the drug was bought by Leadiant Biosciences which, by 2014, began raising the price in several countries before withdrawing the medicine from the market entirely the following year. (Silverman, 6/1)
