1. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted 15-12 to approve former Eli Lilly executive Alex Azar as the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. (Politico)
2. The FDA and the Department of Defense’s Office of Health Affairs launched a program that allows priority DoD development programs to receive breakthrough designation. (Endpoints News)
3. Walmart said it will offer a free opioid disposal solution at all its pharmacies. Developed by DisposeRX, the solution converts medication into a non-divertible and biodegradable gel. (USA Today)
4. A federal judge indicated he would approve a $290 million settlement among Pershing Square Capital Management, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, and Allergen shareholders. The shareholders alleged that Pershing Square and Valeant profited from their failed bid to buy Allergan. (WSJ)
5. Aetna agreed to pay $17 million to settle claims that it revealed the confidential information of customers taking HIV medications. The disclosure came in mail sent to about 12,000 people in more than 20 states. (Modern Healthcare)
