KFF Health News
Bayer Ordered to Pay $1.56 Billion in Latest US Trial Loss Over Roundup Weedkiller
A Missouri jury ordered Bayer (BAYGn.DE) to pay $1.56 billion to four plaintiffs who claimed the company’s Roundup weedkiller caused injuries including cancer, a verdict that could intensify investor pressure on the German drugs and agricultural chemicals company to change its legal strategy. The Cole County, Missouri jury found on Friday that Bayer’s Monsanto business was liable for claims of negligence, design defects and failing to warn plaintiffs of the potential dangers of using Roundup, according to court documents. (Hals, 11/19)
Bayer Woes Pile Up As Blood Thinner Drug Trial Fails
Germany’s Bayer (BAYGn.DE) has aborted a large late-stage trial testing a new anti-clotting drug due to lack of efficacy, dealing a fresh blow to the embattled drugmaker and throwing its most promising development project in doubt. Its shares slid 16.4% at 0903 GMT on Monday to their lowest in 12 years, with separate news overnight the company had been ordered to pay $1.56 billion in the latest U.S. lawsuit over its commonly-used Roundup weedkiller also hitting sentiment. (Burger, 11/20)
CVS Pharmacists Face Long Hours, Staff Shortages
CVS Health Corp.’s plans to transform into a 21st century health care organization is running smack into a twin reality: There are not enough pharmacists in the pipeline, and the ones the company employs are reaching a breaking point. CVS pharmacists recently staged a three-day walkout along with colleagues at Walgreens and Rite Aid, a sign of intensifying unease about working conditions. Pharmacists across the country have reported widespread staffing shortages, safety problems, and overloaded work schedules. (Lee, 11/19)
UnitedHealth’s Artificial Intelligence Denies Claims In Error, Lawsuit Says
For years, vital decisions about who got medical care coverage took place in back offices at health insurance companies. Now, some of those life-altering decisions are being made by artificial intelligence programs. At least that’s the contention of the two families who sued UnitedHealth Group this week, saying the insurance giant used emerging technology to deny or shorten rehabilitation stays for two elderly men in the months before they died. (Alltucker, 11/19)
Tenet Healthcare To Sell 3 S.C. Hospitals To Novant In $2.4B Deal
Tenet Healthcare has agreed to sell three South Carolina hospitals and related facilities to Novant Health in a $2.4 billion cash deal, the health systems said Friday. The deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, involves Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, Hilton Head Hospital on Hilton Head Island and East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, plus affiliated physician practices and operations. (Hudson, 11/17)