Trending News Today: Ebola Outbreak Grows as Health Officials Begin Vaccination Campaign

On Monday, a massive vaccination campaign began in Congo in an effort to stop an Ebola virus outbreak that has spread for more than a month, The Hill reported. According to the article, the World Health Organization and Gavi, a nongovernmental organization that delivers vaccines, said that more than 7500 doses of a new vaccine have been deployed. At least 46 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of the virus have been identified in the region, the article reported.

Officials with the FDA approved Dova Pharmaceuticals’ drug to treat low blood platelet count in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) who are scheduled to undergo a medical procedure, Reuters reported. The drug to treat thrombocytopenia belongs to a class of treatments called thrombopoietin receptor agonists, which stimulate platelet production, according to the article. It is the first such treatment to be approved by the FDA for CLD patients.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said he is in talks with drug companies about a deal to pass a drug-pricing bill, known as the Creates Act, in exchange for separate action that the companies want, The Hill reported. According to the article, the Creates Act cracks down on the tactics used by drug companies to delay the introduction of cheaper generic medications. Grassley said that he is in talks with the manufacturers about using the savings from passing the bill to fund other priorities that drug companies want, the article reported.