Scientists are beginning to utilize human genome databases to examine the biological and evolutionary roots of mental illnesses, according to Nature.
The big question: How did mental illness arise and develop — and what causes it to persist? Psychiatric disorders can involve hundreds or thousands of genes and mutations, writes Sara Reardon. Vast repositories of human genetic information are now allowing researchers to make inferences about the development and spread of mental illness throughout history.
Forty-six state attorneys general are expanding their lawsuit against generic pharmaceutical companies, alleging the firms colluded to jack up the prices of 15 generic drugs. Two top company executives — Mylan President Rajiv Malik (the No. 2 executive) and Emcure Pharmaceuticals CEO Satish Mehta — also were named as defendants.
Why it matters: States are not only bringing more generic companies into the suit, but also are levying allegations against top drug company executives. This goes to the top brass of the $75 billion generic drug market. And it's now the second time in a week, following the indictment of John Kapoor, that legal officials are going after pharmaceutical executives.
If CVS makes a formal offer to buy Aetna, it will represent an attempt to stave off any future drug supply chain competition from Amazon and fight the growing incumbent power of UnitedHealth Group.
Between the lines: The CVS-Aetna merger is "more defensive than offensive," Leerink Partners analyst Ana Gupte told investors.
