FRI, SEP 08, 2023

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Kroger on Friday became the latest retail pharmacy chain to announce a sweeping settlement over its role in the opioid epidemic in the U.S.

The company has agreed to pay $1.2 billion to U.S. states, local governments and Native American tribes over 11 years. Walgreens, CVS and Walmart all reached settlements last fall.

On the infectious disease front, Covid hospitalizations are spiking for the first time this year right as kids return to school. Though severe illness from Covid is rising, hospitalizations remain low compared to prior pandemic years.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former White House chief medical advisor, said the U.S. is unlikely to face another tsunami of illness thanks to a wall of immunity from vaccination and infection.

The U.S. is rolling out an updated vaccine in mid-September to help fight an expected fall Covid wave.

And the legal battle over the abortion pill took has taken another turn after months of complicated litigation. The drug company Danco Laboratories has asked the Supreme Court to decide the case challenging mifepristone's legality.

If the conservative high court agrees to review the case, it will be the first time the justices have deliberated over abortion since they overturned Roe v. Wade.

Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to me at spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com.

Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter

@spencekimball

Kroger will pay up to $1.2 billion to settle most nationwide opioid claims

The settlements would allow for "full resolution" of all opioid claims on behalf of U.S. states, local governments and Native American tribes, Kroger said.

- Annika Kim Constantino

Covid is surging again—you may want to mask up in these 3 scenarios, says infectious diseases doctor

Masking may not be a thing of the past anymore, especially if these three scenarios apply to you, says an infectious diseases physician.

- Renée Onque

Moderna, Pfizer say updated Covid vaccines were effective against highly mutated BA.2.86 variant in trials

Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax are slated to roll out new vaccines targeting XBB.1.5 within weeks, pending approvals from the FDA.

- Annika Kim Constantino

Abortion pill company asks Supreme Court to decide mifepristone case

Danco asked the court to reverse a lower court ruling that would impose restrictions, saying the case is of "indisputable importance" to women's health.

- Spencer Kimball

Blockbuster weight loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic are being tested to treat addiction and dementia

Scientists have begun investigating whether so-called miracle obesity drugs can be used to help treat conditions such as dementia and alcohol addiction.

- Karen Gilchrist

The FTC cleared Amgen's $27.8 billion Horizon buyout — here's what it means for other massive pharma deals

Some analysts and M&A experts say the settlement agreement doesn't mean that the FTC will stop baring its teeth at other large buyouts in the industry.

- Annika Kim Constantino