The Trump administration may overhaul Medicare rules related to preventing self-dealing and financial kickbacks. The administration now sees these rules as an obstacle to better and more efficient care for patients. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar added that the goal is for hospitals, doctors and service providers to collaborate on value-based arrangements to improve patient care. (AP News)
Alibaba plans to stop selling e-cigarette components in the U.S. The Chinese e-commerce firm already had a policy to not sell complete e-cigarette products. This change comes after Kroger and Walgreens announced their decisions to stop selling e-cigarettes in their stores earlier this week. (Reuters)
The 2019 MM&M Awards take place tonight in NYC. Can’t make it to the event? Make sure to register on the site to find out who takes home all the trophies LIVE from the event. Also, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for more updates. (MM&M)
Bill Gates has donated $700 million to battle disease from HIV to tuberculosis. One effort he has contributed to is Merck’s implant that could prevent HIV. Currently in development, this experimental technology is the size of a matchstick and gets placed under the skin of a patient’s arm. Another is GlaxoSmithKline’s tuberculosis vaccine. (Bloomberg)
Acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner Ned Sharpless inspected two international mail centers for illicit vaping products, fentanyl and other drugs. Sharpless visited John F. Kennedy International Airport and Secaucus, New Jersey, to investigate efforts to cut down on illegal activity. (CNBC)
