Eris Covid variant | Weight-loss drug pricing | Mifepristone heading to SCOTUS

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE FRI, AUG 18, 2023 EDITOR'S NOTE Think a friend or colleague should be getting this newsletter? Share this link with them to sign up.   A new omicron Covid subvariant is circulating as the U.S. is poised to roll out new vaccines this fall. The subvariant, named Eris, makes up about 17% of cases in the U.S.    The new jabs have been developed to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant, but they are still expected to protect against Eris, which has a similar genetic makeup.    Right now, Eris doesn't appear to cause more serious illness than other omicron subvariants.    In other health news, blockbuster weight-loss drugs are priced significantly higher in the U.S. compared to other countries, according to a new KFF study.    And a federal appeals court ruled that restrictions should be imposed on how the abortion pill mifepristone is used and distributed.    The ruling is on pause for now as the case is poised for the Supreme Court.   Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to me at spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com. Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter @spencekimball   Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter @spencekimball   New Covid vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax will likely protect against Eris variant The drugmakers designed their updated coronavirus shots to target the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which is slowly declining nationwide. - Annika Kim Constantino Moderna says new Covid vaccine was effective against Eris variant in early trial Moderna's vaccine and new shots from Pfizer and Novavax are slated to roll out within weeks, pending potential approvals from the Food and Drug Administration.  - Annika Kim Constantino Weight-loss drugs are priced substantially higher in the U.S. than in other countries, analysis says The KFF analysis comes as many U.S. health insurers balk at the extreme cost of weight-loss drugs and drop the medications from their plans. - Annika Kim Constantino Appeals court imposes restrictions on abortion pill, but drug will stay on the market for now The order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit is almost certain to be appealed to the Supreme Court. - Spencer Kimball Blue Shield of California taps Amazon, Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs for its pharmacy network The nonprofit health insurer, with 4.8 million members, expects the move to the low-cost pharmacies will provide $500 million in annual savings on drug costs. - Bertha Coombs Young people are at risk of harsh respiratory problems after 30 days of e-cigarette use, study says Researchers urged drug regulators to consider the study findings and work to minimize the negative impact of electronic cigarette use on young people. - Annika Kim Constantino Wegovy could prevent up to 1.5 million heart attacks, strokes over 10 years, study says The results complement the data Novo Nordisk released last week, which found Wegovy slashed the risk of serious heart problems and heart-related death by 20%.  - Annika Kim Constantino JOIN US REGISTER CONTRIBUTORS Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs Annika Kim Constantino @annikakimc   Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs Annika Kim Constantino @annikakimc   Unsubscribe Digital Products Manage Newsletters Feedback Terms of Service Privacy Policy Join the CNBC Panel © 2023 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal.   900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632   Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis.   Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS

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