1. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) said she is investigating Alkermes’ marketing of opioid-addiction medication Vivitrol, claiming the drugmaker spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to convince policymakers to support federal funding for the drug. (Bloomberg)
2. The FDA approved two Roche cancer drugs: Zelboraf for the treatment of rare blood cancer Erdheim-Chester Disease and Alecensa for a rare form of non-small cell lung cancer. (Reuters)
3. CVS Health will launch next-day delivery of prescription drugs nationwide and same-day shipping in some U.S. cities next year. The move comes amid rumors that Amazon will enter the pharmacy business. (Axios)
4. A Phase-II trial of Takeda Pharmaceutical’s experimental dengue vaccine TAK-003 protected patients against the virus by boosting antibodies. Results from its Phase-III study of 20,000 participants will roll out in 2018. If approved, it would compete with Sanofi’s Dengvaxia, the first FDA-approved dengue vaccine. (Endpoints News)
5. The U.K. risks disruption in drug supply and rising prices — which could lead to greater staff shortages in the National Health Service — if it does not reach a deal with the European Union before Brexit happens, according to a report. (Reuters)
Correction: An earlier version of the roundup misinterpreted Takeda’s update today. The drugmaker announced positive Phase-II results for TAK-003. Its Phase-III enrollment launched in April.
