Drugmaker Gilead alleges a ring of drug suppliers and distributors sold over 85,000 counterfeit bottles of its HIV medication to pharmacies over the past two years, according to a lawsuit unsealed Tuesday.
Why it matters: Suppliers bought many of the illicit drugs from homeless or addicted HIV patients and resold them with fake documents, often at cheaper prices, a Gilead spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.
The 2022 Grammy Awards have been rescheduled to take place on April 3 in Las Vegas, after they were postponed due to surging COVID-19 cases, event organizers announced Tuesday.
Why it matters: This was the second year music's biggest award night has been pushed back. The event was originally scheduled for Jan. 31.
There's no evidence that healthy children and adolescents need COVID-19 boosters shots, World Health Organization chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said at a press briefing Tuesday.
Why it matters: Swaminathan said a WHO advisory group will gather this week to discuss how nations should distribute booster shots. The organization has long called for wealthy countries with large vaccine supplies to forgo booster shots as a global vaccine disparity persists.
The website where Americans can request free, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests from the government launched Tuesday and is now accepting orders.
Driving the news: The website went live in its beta phase and is operating at a limited capacity a day before its official launch. Every home in the U.S. is eligible for up to four COVID tests, according to the website.
Health insurers could face increased scrutiny and potential enforcement actions regarding their coverage of birth control, following recent guidance from the Biden administration.
Why it matters: The ACA requires birth control coverage with no cost-sharing, but some advocates and Democrats in Congress have said insurers are running afoul of the law with restrictions.
More than 41,000 Americans underwent an organ transplant in 2021, a new record and a 6% increase from 2020, when the pandemic caused a slight slowdown of the life-saving procedures.
Why it matters: There are more transplant patients than ever, and they are particularly vulnerable to the worst effects of COVID because of their compromised immune systems — although vaccines provide important protection.
Children's vaccination rates remain stubbornly low in the U.S., particularly in rural parts of the country. Rates also vary drastically by state, KHN reports.
Why it matters: Children rarely get severe COVID cases, but it happens. Vaccinations are also a crucial tool for keeping schools open as Omicron rips through the country, experts say.
More than 28.5 million seniors and people with disabilities were enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan as of Jan. 1, an 8.8% increase from the same time in 2021, according to new federal data analyzed by Axios.
Why it matters: Enrollment in the controversial MA program continues to grow, and based on prior full-year trends, enrollment in 2022 likely will surpass the federal government's prediction of 29.5 million people.
Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that the messaging around the COVID-19 pandemic and changing guidance should have been clearer.
State of play: Walensky is being coached by media experts and is planning to have more press briefings by herself in order to ensure that CDC is seen as an independent, scientific entity, rather than as a political one, the Journal reports.
Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.
State of play: Joint Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said in a statement that Milley — who is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot — is experiencing "very minor symptoms" and is "working remotely and isolating himself."
The Greek government on Monday said that anyone 60 and older will be required to get a vaccine or face a fine.
State of play: Older people who are not inoculated will pay fines starting at around $57 in January followed by a monthly fine of approximately $114 after that if they choose to remain unvaccinated, AP reports.
The world's 10 wealthiest men have increased their fortunes from $700 billion to $1.5 trillion since early 2020, per a report published Wednesday.
Why it matters: "The incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off because of COVID-19," according to the report, published by anti-poverty charity Oxfam ahead of the World Economic Forum's pandemic-delayed Davos Agenda, which begins Monday.
France's National Assembly voted 215-58 on Sunday in favor of pandemic legislation that includes a vaccine pass barring unvaccinated people from venues including restaurants and sports arenas, per Euronews.
