Healthcare & Life Sciences

Top Ten Imported Veterinary Medicines Quarterly Report Q1 2026

The UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate published its quarterly statistical report on certificates issued under the Special Import System for Q1 2026. Artuvetrin Therapy led with 3,256 certificates (27% of total), followed by Arthramid Vet with 1,346 certificates (11%). The top ten products collectively account for 58% of all certificates issued during the period. This is an informational report with no regulatory obligations or compliance requirements.

Renewed Women's Health Strategy Published by DHSC and NHS England

DHSC and NHS England have published the renewed Women's Health Strategy, announcing plans to improve women's healthcare experiences across England. Key initiatives include a trial linking women's feedback to provider funding, a single referral point to reduce waiting lists for conditions like endometriosis, and new standards for pain relief during gynaecological procedures. The strategy aims to address systemic issues where women's symptoms have been dismissed or inadequately treated.

MHRA Annual Accountability Review Minutes 2015 to 2025

The Department of Health and Social Care has published transparency data listing MHRA annual accountability review minutes from 2014-15 through 2024-25. The page was updated on 15 April 2026 to add the 2024-25 review minutes from 29 October 2025. No new compliance obligations are created by this administrative listing.

Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England

The DHSC has published the Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England, a 10-year plan outlining how the government will improve women's health and healthcare. The strategy aligns with the 10 Year Health Plan for England and aims to ensure women have voice, choice and power in their health and healthcare. The strategy was published on 15 April 2026.

Clinical Trial Setup Time Falls to 122 Days

DHSC announces that average setup time for commercial interventional clinical trials in the UK has fallen to 122 days, down from 169 days for the same period last year. The £137 million investment in health research reforms has streamlined processes and reduced bureaucracy. This progress advances the Prime Minister's commitment to get UK clinical trials up and running within 150 days by March 2026.

Donna Ockenden Appointed Chair of Independent Sussex Maternity Review

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has announced the appointment of Donna Ockenden as Chair of an independent review into Sussex maternity and neonatal services. Ockenden, known for leading the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust review, was confirmed following direct engagement between the Health Secretary and bereaved families who campaigned for an independent review. The review is part of a government initiative to improve maternity safety across the NHS.

Diphtheria Cases Among Asylum Seekers England 2022 to 2026

UKHSA publishes statistical data tables showing confirmed toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae cases among asylum seekers in England from 2022 to 2026. The publication is updated quarterly, with the most recent update adding January to March 2026 data. The next scheduled update is 2 July 2026.

Part 2A Health Protection Orders Transparency Data 2017-2025

UKHSA published anonymised transparency data summaries of statutory Part 2A health protection orders for financial years 2017-2018 through 2024-2025. Part 2A orders are statutory instruments used to protect public health through measures such as restricting movement, detaining individuals, and closing premises. The transparency data includes ODS format spreadsheet files for each financial year. No new compliance obligations are created for external parties.

NOIDs Causative Agents: Weekly Reports for 2026

UKHSA publishes weekly lab reports on notifiable diseases and causative agents for 2026. The data covers weeks 1 through 15 (January through April 2026) with separate HTML reports for each week. The list of reportable organisms has been expanded to include additional notifiable organisms under updated requirements. Affected parties should monitor these weekly publications as the reporting requirements may have been updated to include new organisms that laboratories must notify UKHSA about.

HIV Annual Data 2025: Testing, PrEP, New Diagnoses and Care Outcomes

UKHSA published annual HIV surveillance data for 2025 covering HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, new diagnoses, AIDS, deaths, and care outcomes across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Data tables include demographic breakdowns, geographic region analysis, and key population statistics from 2015 to 2024. A slide set for presentational use is also available.

HIV and AIDS Reporting System: NHS Quarterly Data Collection Guidance

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) updated its guidance on HIV surveillance systems, describing three reporting mechanisms: HARS (quarterly disaggregate data from NHS-funded HIV outpatient providers in England), HANDD (new diagnoses and deaths from laboratories and sexual health services), and CHARS (clinical data on children with HIV). Data from Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales is submitted annually and linked to create a UK-wide HIV database.

Mektovi (Binimetinib) 15mg and 45mg Dosage Confusion Safety Alert

ANSM issued a drug safety alert regarding Mektovi (binimetinib), an anticancer medication, following 7 reported medication errors from confusion between the 15mg and 45mg tablet dosages. The errors, which began after the 45mg dosage became available in July 2025, resulted in overdoses causing hepatocyte cytolysis, intense fatigue, nausea, serous retinal detachment, and elevated lipase levels. The recommended dose is 90mg/day (either 3 tablets of 15mg or 1 tablet of 45mg twice daily).

Emend 125mg Shortage, Alternative Treatments Proposed

ANSM published guidance on April 15, 2026 regarding the shortage of Emend 125mg (aprepitant) oral suspension manufactured by MSD. The drug, used in chemotherapy for children and infants aged 6 months to under 12 years, became unavailable at the end of March 2026 due to production problems. ANSM has arranged alternative supplies including Ivemend 150mg imports and authorized pharmacists to dispense magistral preparations without new prescriptions.

CMS LEAD ACO 10-Year Program Launching Jan 2027

CMS is launching the Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model on January 1, 2027, replacing the ACO REACH Model. The 10-year voluntary program (2027-2036) offers two risk tracks: Global Risk Option (100% shared savings/losses with 1.75-3% benchmark discount) and Professional Risk Option (50% shared savings/losses). New payment flexibilities include capitated payments, advanced monthly payments, and a Non-Primary Care Capitation mechanism enabling specialist sub-capitation.

FDA Approves Extended EYLEA HD Dosing Interval for Wet AMD and DME

The FDA approved an extension of the maximum dosing interval for Regeneron's EYLEA HD (aflibercept) from 16 weeks to 20 weeks for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). The approval is based on 96-week data from the PULSAR and PHOTON pivotal trials, which demonstrated that the majority of patients maintained visual and anatomic improvements with extended dosing intervals. The new regimen allows patients to be treated as infrequently as 2 to 3 times per year.

Congressional Investigations Quarterly: Healthcare Affordability, Drug Prices, Insurance in Q1 2026

Morrison & Foerster LLP published its Congressional Investigations Quarterly covering Q1 2026. The report examines congressional investigations into healthcare affordability, focusing on health insurance company CEO testimony on premium costs, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices and prescription drug pricing, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and vision care market consolidation. Additional investigations cover algorithmic pricing by technology platforms and college tuition pricing.

340B Drug Pricing Litigation Update Covers 50+ Cases

McDermott Plus published a weekly roundup of 340B drug pricing litigation covering more than 50 cases in federal and state courts for April 7–13, 2026. Key developments include the Fifth Circuit affirming denial of preliminary injunctions in Mississippi contract pharmacy cases, the Sixth Circuit staying a Tennessee case pending similar proceedings, a new drug manufacturer complaint challenging government audit enforcement and patient-definition determinations, and a trade association filing challenging a Washington state contract pharmacy law.

FCA Recoveries, HHS Cuts, OCR Investigations in Healthcare

Spilman Thomas & Battle's healthcare law newsletter covers record False Claims Act recoveries of $6.8 billion in fiscal year 2025, proposed HHS budget cuts, HHS Office for Civil Rights investigations of 13 states, Virginia medical malpractice developments, North Carolina hospital fee scrutiny, hospital bad debt increases, and FDA warnings to telehealth companies regarding GLP-1 product claims. The newsletter also reviews West Virginia legislative impacts on healthcare.

'We're Open for Business': OCR Enforcing Part 2 SUD Records; NPP Updates Required

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has assumed enforcement authority over 42 CFR Part 2 (confidentiality of substance use disorder records) from the Department of Justice, effective Feb. 16, 2026. OCR Director Paula Stannard stated the agency is 'open for business' for Part 2 violations. Both covered entities (CEs) and Part 2 providers were required to update privacy notices by the compliance date, with Part 2 providers adopting HIPAA-like standards and CEs updating their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPPs) to address Part 2 records.

CMS FY 2027 IPPS Proposed Rule: 2.4% Payment Increase

CMS issued the FY 2027 IPPS proposed rule on April 10, 2026, proposing a 2.4% increase in operating payment rates for general acute care hospitals participating in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and meaningful EHR users, reflecting a 3.2% market basket increase less a 0.8% productivity adjustment. The proposed rule would nationalize the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model, require hospitals billing Medicare Part A and Part B to use CJR-X or TEAM for joint replacement episodes, eliminate the breakthrough device designation alternate pathway for new technology add-on payments, and make various MS-DRG changes.

CMS Targets Hospice Providers With Prepayment Reviews in Six States

CMS Medicare Administrative Contractors have been conducting expanded prepayment reviews (EPRs) of existing hospice providers since September 2024 in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. As of December 2025, hospices in Georgia and Ohio have also been added to the review program. Husch Blackwell attorneys discuss how hospices can differentiate EPRs from other audit types, what to expect throughout the process, and strategies to overcome claim denials.

BDSI Loses Motion to Enforce Belbuca Injunction

The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware denied BioDelivery Sciences International's July 2025 motion to enforce a 2022 final judgment and injunction against Alvogen regarding generic Belbuca (buprenorphine buccal film). The court found that Alvogen's new ANDA product was a reformulation with a more basic backing layer pH than the original ANDA product, and therefore not substantially identical to the enjoined product.

Benefits Brief: Responding to a HIPAA Breach of 25 Million Individuals - Conduent Incident

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP published guidance on the Conduent Business Services cybersecurity breach affecting approximately 25 million individuals, including over 15.4 million Texas residents, between October 21, 2024 and January 13, 2025. The article analyzes HIPAA obligations for covered entities and business associates when a third-party vendor experiences a breach of protected health information.

Missouri Expands Verified Dispensary Initiative with Billboards Radio Advertising

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced an expansion of its Verified Dispensary public outreach initiative, adding highway billboards at 218 locations and radio advertisements on 85 stations reaching approximately 1.5 million residents with over 5 million impressions. The campaign provides tools to help Missourians identify state-licensed cannabis dispensaries and includes an updated dispensary locator map.

Oregon City Measles Exposure Location at Legacy GoHealth

Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas County public health officials identified a measles exposure location at Legacy GoHealth in Oregon City. Individuals present at the clinic between 9:09 a.m. and 12:22 p.m. on April 10, 2026, or between 1:12 p.m. and 3:48 p.m. on April 11, 2026, should contact their healthcare provider. OHA warns against relying on news outlets for exposure information and directs the public to its official measles website for accurate listings.

Centennial Middle School Measles Exposure Date Added

Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County public health officials have added an additional measles exposure date to Centennial Middle School in southeast Portland. The new exposure period is April 3, 2026, between 9:20 a.m. and 6 p.m. The complete exposure list includes April 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Officials urge anyone present during these times to contact their healthcare provider to determine measles immunity status.

Syphilis Rates Drop 18.6%, Congenital Syphilis Down 32.4% in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health announced declines in sexually transmitted infection rates for 2025 compared to 2024. Syphilis rates dropped 18.6%, congenital syphilis fell 32.4%, chlamydia dropped 5.1%, and gonorrhea dropped 6.1%. NMDOH attributes the declines to expanded community outreach, increased testing and treatment, promotion of Doxy PEP post-exposure prevention medication, and partnerships with community, medical, and Tribal organizations.

Cyanobacteria Advisory Lifted at Scott Pond

The Rhode Island Department of Health has lifted the cyanobacteria advisory at Scott Pond. The advisory, which warned the public to avoid contact with the water due to potential harmful algal blooms, has been removed following testing that indicated cyanobacteria levels have returned to safe conditions.

Aerys Medical Bed Half-Rails Safety Recall by Winncare France

ANSM has published a safety alert regarding a field safety corrective action (FSCA No. R2610462) conducted by Winncare France for Aerys and Aerys Confort sliding medical bed half-rails. Users of the affected products have received direct correspondence from Winncare France. The alert is directed to pharmacies, community care facilities, retail establishments, and home health service providers.

Scientific Literature Reference Copyright Restricted

FDA published a document on regulations.gov (FDA-2026-P-3869-0004) regarding scientific literature references. The submission contains copyright-restricted content and is not fully accessible to the public. The document appears to be a regulatory submission or comment filed with FDA.

FDA Complaint FDA-2026-H-3943-0001

FDA received a complaint under docket FDA-2026-H-3943-0001 on April 15, 2025. The Center for Tobacco Products authored the complaint. The public comment period for this docket is now closed. No documents are available for viewing or download from the regulatory docket.

Scientific Reference Costenbader 2007, FDA-2026-P-3869

FDA has published a scientific reference document (Costenbader 2007) as part of docket FDA-2026-P-3869. The document was submitted as supporting scientific literature for a Pre-Market Notification submission. The actual content is restricted due to copyright and cannot be displayed.

Yang 2022 Scientific Literature Reference

A scientific literature reference authored by Yang (2022) was submitted to FDA docket FDA-2026-P-3869 as supporting documentation. The document was filed on April 3, 2025, and is accessible via regulations.gov. This appears to be part of a food additive petition or similar regulatory submission process requiring scientific literature support.

Scientific Literature Reference Rao 2017 FDA-2026-P-3869

A scientific literature reference (Rao 2017) has been submitted to FDA docket FDA-2026-P-3869. The document appears to be supporting scientific literature provided as part of comments or a submission to the FDA regulatory process. No regulatory requirements, deadlines, or penalties are established by this document submission.

Sanchez-Guerrero 1997 Scientific Literature Reference

FDA has received and filed a scientific literature reference (Sanchez-Guerrero 1997) in regulatory docket FDA-2026-P-3869. The document has been uploaded to the public docket and is accessible to interested parties. The content of the reference cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Scientific Literature Reference - Content Restricted

FDA received a submission on regulations.gov containing a scientific literature reference that is restricted due to copyright limitations. The specific content of the referenced literature is not accessible. The submission appears in FDA's docket system but the substantive regulatory material cannot be reviewed.

Citizen Petition to FDA by Kaylin Bower

A citizen petition was filed with the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) by Kaylin Bower on April 15, 2026. The petition docket is FDA-2026-P-4104-0001. The full contents of the petition are redacted due to personally identifiable information protections, limiting visibility into the specific regulatory relief requested.

Manhart 2013 Scientific Literature Submission FDA-2026-P-3869

FDA has received a docket submission to FDA-2026-P-3869 containing a citation to Manhart 2013 scientific literature. The full content of the submission is restricted due to copyright and is not publicly viewable in the docket.

Narula 2022 IBD Scientific Literature, FDA-2026-P-3869

Narula 2022 IBD Scientific Literature, FDA-2026-P-3869

Measles Case Identified in Weld County Resident

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Weld County Public Health have identified a measles case in an unvaccinated adult Weld County resident who is a close contact of previous cases. Potential exposure locations have been identified at two healthcare facilities in Larimer County. Public health officials are advising anyone who visited the listed locations at the specified times to monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

Texas Home Health Providers - HHSC-OIG Common Billing Errors and $95.7M Recovered

The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHSC-OIG) recovered more than $95.7 million from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Home health agencies ranked first among provider types in preliminary investigations at 21 percent of cases and third in full-scale investigations at 15 percent. Common billing errors identified include failure to perform required nursing assessments, documentation deficiencies, and billing irregularities such as billing for services when clients were at inpatient facilities or misrepresenting nurse credentials.

Healthcare Incentive Decisions Resurface in Audits and Diligence

This article examines how healthcare incentive compensation decisions resurface during audits, partner disputes, payer challenges, and transaction due diligence. It identifies documentation patterns that create risk for healthcare organizations, including discretionary payments without adequate records, one-off compensation adjustments that become permanent without review, and inconsistent explanations for incentive payments. The article advises that when documentation is thin or inconsistent, reviewers fill gaps with risk assumptions.

A&O Shearman Releases Second Life Sciences and Healthcare Insights Report

A&O Shearman has released the second edition of its Life Sciences and Healthcare Insights report. The publication covers six topics including shareholder activism trends, AI use in drug discovery, China's emergence as a pharma innovation hub, proposed EU MDR and IVDR reforms, the UPC's impact on European patent litigation, and EU environmental sustainability requirements for pharmaceutical companies. The report is informational and does not create compliance obligations.

FDA Public Meeting on Dietary Supplement Ingredients

FDA's Office of Dietary Supplement Programs held a public meeting on March 27, 2026, to discuss the evolving landscape of dietary supplement ingredients and how scientific and technological advances are shaping the industry. The meeting covered three sessions: the scope of 'dietary supplements' under DSHEA, emerging production technologies, and identification of proteins, enzymes, and microbials. FDA posed three feedback questions to stakeholders regarding novel ingredient types, production methodology changes, and characterization requirements.

Recent Court Decisions Favor Employers in Tobacco Surcharge Litigation

Warner Norcross + Judd summarizes three recent federal district court decisions (Plesha v. Ascension Health Alliance, E.D. Mo.; Greene v. Progressive Corp., N.D. Ohio; Noel v. PepsiCo, Inc., S.D.N.Y.) dismissing ERISA class action claims challenging employer tobacco surcharge wellness programs. Courts held that employers need not provide retroactive refunds of tobacco surcharges, that disclosure language substantially similar to DOL model notice satisfies requirements, and that tobacco surcharge design is a settlor function rather than a fiduciary duty. The analysis signals a trend generally favorable to employers while noting dozens of similar lawsuits remain pending nationwide.

Healthcare Providers Warned About Medical Tech Contract AI, Evergreen Risks

Buchalter published an advisory warning healthcare providers about two emerging contract risks: (1) evergreen renewal provisions that automatically extend agreements without opportunity to renegotiate AI-related terms, and (2) expansive vendor data rights that may permit use of provider data for AI model training and product development without clear disclosure. The advisory identifies risks including re-identification of de-identified data, vendor IP accrual from provider operations, and unclear liability for AI-generated clinical or billing outputs.

California Senior Living–2026 Legal, Regulatory, and Insurance Update Webinar

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP announces a webinar on April 29, 2026 for California senior living providers covering insurance market changes, claims trends affecting nursing homes and RCFEs, and legal developments influencing liability exposure. The webinar offers 1.0 hours of NAB and RCFE continuing education credits. This is an educational announcement with no regulatory changes or compliance mandates.

State Health Planning Board Confirms Public Hearing for Hospital Closure Certificate of Need Application

The New Jersey Department of Health's State Health Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for April 15, 2026, to accept public comments on a Certificate of Need application for the closure of Heights University Hospital in Jersey City. The hospital application and related materials are available at the Jersey City Public Library, New Jersey State Library, and the NJDOH website. Written comments may also be submitted until April 22, 2026, via email or mail.

Roche Oligonucleotides for Paternal UBE3A Expression

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3798307A1 for F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG covering oligonucleotides designed to induce paternal UBE3A expression. The invention relates to nucleic acid therapeutics targeting UBE3A gene expression, with applications in treating genetic disorders. The patent application was filed under IPC classification C12N 15/113 and designates all 39 contracting states across the European Patent Convention.

FDA Clarifies GLP-1 Compounding Policy for Pharmacy Compounders

FDA Clarifies GLP-1 Compounding Policy for Pharmacy Compounders