E-cigarette makers receive warnings over social posts. The Food and Drug Administration warned the companies about using social media influencers to promote their products, reminding them that influencers’ posts need to “comply with all applicable advertising requirements.” (Reuters)
Sanofi names Novartis executive as CEO. Paul Hudson will succeed Olivier Brandicourt, who is retiring in September. Hudson was previously CEO of Novartis’ pharmaceuticals division. (MM&M)
Marijuana use among Baby Boomers rose tenfold over a decade. The number of seniors using cannabis as a health treatment reached 3.7% in 2017, compared to 0.3% in 2007, according to a study. Among adults between 60 and 64, 9.4% reported using marijuana in the past year, up from 1.9% in 2007. (CNBC)
Vertex to spend $2 billion to get into gene therapy. The company is expanding its partnership with CRISPR and is buying gene-editing biotech Exonics Therapeutics. Vertex, which also appointed a head of genetic therapies, will establish a site focused on gene therapy research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. (BioPharma Dive)
AIDS groups criticize Express Scripts for excluding HIV drugs. The pharmacy benefit manager excluded seven HIV drugs from insurance coverage for anyone starting treatment over the past few months. AIDS groups argued that could impede access and harm patients. (STAT)
