Ninth Circuit Reverses FCA Case Against AbbVie for 340B Pricing Fraud

The Ninth Circuit reversed the district court in United States ex rel. Adventist Health System of West v. AbbVie Inc., holding that the False Claims Act provides an independent mechanism for relators to pursue claims alleging fraudulent drug pricing in violation of the 340B Program, even though Section 340B itself contains no private right of action. The court rejected manufacturers' arguments that FCA claims require a prior HRSA violation. The ruling exposes pharmaceutical manufacturers to significant FCA liability for 340B pricing practices.

FDA Updates Patient Preference Information Guidance for Medical Devices

FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research issued final guidance on Incorporating Voluntary Patient Preference Information over the Total Product Life Cycle, superseding the August 2016 guidance. The 2026 guidance clarifies scope across the device lifecycle and substantially enhances methodological specificity for PPI studies. The guidance now expressly recognizes PPI relevance to 510(k) submissions and postmarket enforcement decisions.

Colorado Conversion Therapy Ban Unconstitutional - First Amendment

The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Chiles v. Salazar that Colorado's 2019 law prohibiting licensed mental health counselors from performing conversion therapy on minors is unconstitutional. The Court held the statute violated a counselor's First Amendment rights by directly regulating the content and viewpoint of speech during counseling sessions. Colorado's argument that the law regulated professional conduct with only incidental speech effects was rejected.

FPI Debt Investment Limits and Credit Default Swaps

The Reserve Bank of India has issued A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 05 setting FPI investment limits for FY 2026-27 (April 2026 to March 2027). The percentage limits for G-Secs (6%), SGSs (2%), and corporate bonds (15%) of outstanding stocks remain unchanged under the General Route. A key policy change requires all Voluntary Retention Route investments to now be subject to General Route limits. Total debt limits have been revised to ₹15,51,646 crore for the first half and ₹16,32,640 crore for the second half, with an additional ₹3,30,464 crore CDS limit.

CONNECT THE DOTS - Trademark Opposition

Tootsie Roll Industries, LLC filed a trademark opposition against DPGC Group LLC regarding the mark 'CONNECT THE DOTS' with the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. A motion to suspend proceedings with consent is pending while settlement negotiations continue. The opposition proceeding is TTAB91299872.

DR. SITI Trademark Opposition - Doctor Siti Inc. vs Xianglong Meng

USPTO TTAB Opposition No. TTAB91300879 involving the DR. SITI trademark between Plaintiff Doctor Siti Inc. and Defendant Xianglong Meng. Plaintiff filed a motion to suspend proceedings with consent pending settlement negotiations. The opposition, filed August 7, 2025, remains ongoing as parties pursue settlement.

NORTEL trademark cancellation denied

The USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board denied Cancellation No. 92090198, filed by 2371436 Ontario Inc. against Nortel Networks Limited regarding the NORTEL trademark. The Board issued a final decision denying the cancellation without prejudice on April 3, 2026. The petition was filed on November 23, 2025.

Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Raymond NH

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office released findings from the autopsy of Matthew J. Masse, age 38, determining his cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chin/head with manner of death ruled suicide. The investigation into the officer-involved use of deadly force remains ongoing, with the identity of officers involved pending completion of formal interviews in the coming weeks.

Free Scam Prevention Training for Older Adults

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office announced free scam prevention training sessions for older adults during Financial Literacy Month in April 2026. Three community presentations will be held in Rochester and Manchester, covering impostor scams, payment methods used by fraudsters, identity fraud, and reporting procedures. Sessions are open to older adults, caregivers, family members, and community members with no enrollment required.

Idaho Power 2032 All-Source RFP Approval

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued a Notice of Parties establishing the procedural participants in Case No. IPC-E-26-03, involving Idaho Power Company's application for approval of its 2032 All-Source Request for Proposals. The notice identifies Idaho Power, Commission Staff, IIPA, NIPPC, Boise City, and Micron as parties, and specifies service requirements per IDAPA 31.01.01 rules.