Trump gives nod to Republican tax-credit proposal on Obamacare

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump backed the use of tax credits to help people purchase health insurance in a speech to Congress on Tuesday, the first time he signaled support for a key component of House Republican proposals to replace Obamacare.

Obamacare plans' drug spending rose faster than other plans in 2016: Express Scripts

(Reuters) - Spending on prescription drugs for health plans created under the Affordable Care Act increased last year at a rate more than three times that of other commercial plans and most government-run plans managed by Express Scripts Holding Co.

FDA approves Lexicon Pharma's carcinoid syndrome diarrhea drug

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it had approved Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc's oral drug to treat carcinoid syndrome diarrhea, a condition that develops in patients with gastrointestinal tumors.

For nursing home residents, activities associated with thriving

(Reuters Health) - Nursing home residents who have a range of activity options may be more likely to thrive than their peers who don't have as many choices of things to do, a Swedish study suggests.

FDA warns Pfizer over contaminated drugs at Kansas plant

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Pfizer Inc's process for manufacturing sterile injectable drugs at a plant in McPherson, Kansas was "out of control" and put patients at risk, according to a warning letter made public on Tuesday.

Few people know about overlapping surgery

(Reuters Health) - Most people aren't aware that surgeons are sometimes involved in multiple operations happening at the same time, and many patients might object to the practice if they knew about it, a recent U.S. study suggests.

Breast cancer costs low-income women more jobs

(Reuters Health) - Poor women undergoing breast cancer treatment are four times more likely to lose their jobs than their high-income peers, a new study suggests.

Obese couples may take longer to conceive

(Reuters Health) - - Couples who are obese may take longer to achieve pregnancy than partners who aren't as overweight, a recent U.S. study suggests.

Tenet CEO welcomes delays in Republican changes to Obamacare

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The delays in Republican plans to overhaul Obamacare are helpful to hospital operator Tenet Healthcare Corp, the company's chief executive officer said on Tuesday, as the timeline shifts further out for any changes to government healthcare payments.

UK rejects Merck's Keytruda as initial treatment for lung cancer

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's healthcare watchdog NICE, which assesses the cost-effectiveness of medical treatments, has stopped short of recommending the use by the National Health Service (NHS) of Merck & Co Inc's immunotherapy drug Keytruda in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients, after giving the go-ahead in December for patients who had prior treatment.

U.S. House speaker vows Republican unity on healthcare overhaul

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House and Congress are working together to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Tuesday, adding there are "no rival plans."

Longer survival seen with Amgen's Kyprolis vs Velcade in myeloma study

(Reuters) - Patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with Amgen Inc's Kyprolis lived more than seven months longer than those who received Takeda Pharmaceutical Co's Velcade, according to data from a late-stage study released by Amgen on Tuesday.

FDA to expedite review of Teva drug for movement disorder

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said on Tuesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted "priority review" for its SD-809 drug to treat tardive dyskinesia with a target date for approval by Aug. 30.