Uninsured Americans may have to pay for COVID-19 testing at certain labs due to federal funding running dry. The Senate’s $10 billion bipartisan pandemic aid bill doesn’t include the Biden administration’s request for $1.5 billion to cover testing and treatment for people without health insurance. (CNBC Weekly)
Bluebird Bio’s gene therapy Zynteglo, which has a proposed price of $2.1 million per treatment course, could still be cost-effective, according to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. The therapy is set to be reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration in June. (Endpoints News)
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Bausch Health over the marketing of skin condition medications. The inquiry is seeking information about the promotion of plaque psoriasis drugs Bryhali, Siliq and Duobrii for uses not approved by regulators. (STAT)
Halozyme Therapeutics announced that it will buy Antares Pharma for nearly $1 billion. The acquisition will allow Halozyme to expand into drug delivery and specialty medicines. (The Wall Street Journal)
STD cases soared during the pandemic, with gonorrhea and syphilis cases reaching record highs during the first year of COVID-19, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Despite high case counts, however, fewer federal funds are being directed to sexual health clinics. (Politico)
