Americas

FDA approves new drug Rasonque to treat advanced pancreatic cancer
Americas, Health

FDA approves new drug Rasonque to treat advanced pancreatic cancer

The US FDA has approved Revolution Medicines' groundbreaking pancreatic cancer drug after it was shown to double the survival rate of patients with advanced disease in a large trial, offering new hope to those with the deadly cancer. The once-daily pill, to be called Rasonque, was approved for metastatic pancreatic cancer in patients who have received prior treatment or cannot receive combination chemotherapy. The drug is designed to block several forms of the RAS protein, which helps drive tumour growth in many pancreatic cancers. Revolution said the drug is now available in the United States at $39,800 for a 30-day supply. The company added that it would make assistance available as well. When Revolution announced the trial results in April for the drug, it set off a firestorm of demand....
Americas, Health

Trump pushes rethink of school vaccine mandates and MMR shots

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday pushing for a rethink of school vaccine mandates and repeating calls for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to be separated into three individual shots. Curbing vaccines has been a key priority for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who founded an anti-vaccine non-profit and has long promoted a disproven link between immunisation and autism. The federal government does not have direct control over several areas covered by the order. States, for example, have the authority to require vaccinations for students to attend school. On these points Trump's move is more of a suggestion than an order. "States and territories are advised to review" the Trump administration's recommendations on "immunisation requirements for con...