Bayer’s CEO said the company has been “massively affected” by Roundup lawsuits. CEO Werner Baumann said on a panel that the recent losses in court have taken a toll on the company’s share price and reputational scores. There are more than 10,000 pending cases related to Roundup. (Reuters)
Here’s a look at Maryland’s battle to pass a first-of-its-kind bill creating a state board to oversee expensive drugs. State legislators and small advocacy groups went up against the lobbying power of PhRMA to pass the bill at the 11th hour. The newly created board is able to cap payments for ultra-expensive prescription drugs. (STAT)
Rite-Aid will start to sell CBD products in Washington and Oregon. The pharmacy is following the lead of competitors CVS and Walgreens, which also began selling CBD products recently. Rite-Aid will also stop selling e-cigarettes in all stores. (CNBC)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has reintroduced his “Medicare for All” bill. Four of Sanders’ Democratic opponents have co-sponsored the bill. The bill would establish a nationwide single-payer system, doing away completely with private plans. (NPR)
Teen smoking is declining more slowly in rural areas. The rate of teen smoking is falling overall, but the odds of smoking is 50% higher for teens in rural areas compared to their counterparts in urban areas, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health. (Reuters)
