Trending News Today: FDA Warns of Aortic Aneurysm Risk with Certain Antibiotics

Officials with the FDA warned that the benefits of fluoroquinolone antibiotics do not outweigh the risks, CNN reported. According to the article, the agency found that the antibiotics can cause an increased risk of aortic aneurysm based on reports of patient problems and studies published between 2015 and 2018. Patients most at risk are the elderly, those with high blood pressure, those who have a history of blockage of the aorta or other blood vessels, and those who have genetic conditions, the article noted.

On Thursday, Cigna closed its $54-billion deal to purchase Express Scripts, according to Reuters. The deal, which has already passed antitrust scrutiny, puts Cigna in direct competition with merged companies Aetna and CVS, as well as UnitedHealthGroup and Optum, the article reported. Cigna said it will start offering new products next year to its corporate health insurance companies, including access to Express Scripts’ specialty pharmacy.

The FDA approved a new protocol for a post-marketing study of Bayer AG’s Essure birth control device while the agency seeks more information on the device’s safety, Reuters reported. According to the article, women have claimed in lawsuits that the device’s metal parts could become dislodged and migrate to other parts of the body. In July, Bayer announced it would phase out the birth control product in the United States due to declining sales, the article reported.