Healthcare Sector Hit by Cyberattacks and Controversy Over Vaccine Deals
Boston Scientific's global operations have been affected by a recent cyberattack, which was detected on August 25 and is still being investigated. The medical device maker has activated incident-response procedures and is working with third-party cybersecurity specialists to contain the threat.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the Ebola outbreak in Uganda is over, but cases are still rising in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. In other health news, the US FDA has approved Johnson & Johnson's drug for a rare blood disorder, and cases of cyclosporiasis in the US have climbed to 17,180.
US lawmakers have questioned Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s explanation for how he disposed of his financial stake in litigation involving Merck's Gardasil vaccine. China's Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group has reported a near 36% rise in first-half profit driven by strong growth in sales of innovative medicines and higher investment income.