What We're Reading: Heartburn Medication Recall; Juul Labs CEO Steps Down; Amazon Launches Virtual Health Clinic

Novartis Expands Recall of Heartburn Medication

A week after recalling its heartburn medications in European countries and Canada in response to regulators disclosing the capsules may contain high levels of a carcinogen, the Sandoz unit of Novartis has expanded its recall of the medications containing ranitidine and is pulling the products from the United States. A spokesman for Novartis told STAT News that testing found N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) levels above those established by the FDA in batches of its capsules. The spokesman added that the drug maker has yet to receive any reports of adverse events related to the medicine. NDMA was also detected in a class of blood pressure pills last year.

Juul Labs CEO Steps Down, Company Says it Will Comply With Administration's Ban on Flavored Vapes

As Juul Labs announced that their chief executive offer (CEO) would step down, the company also announced that the company would not lobby the Trump administration on its impending ban of flavored vaping products. Even further, the company said it will suspend all broadcast, print, and digital advertising in the United States, reported Politico. Longtime Altria executive K.C. Crosthwaite will step in as CEO. Crosthwaite joined Altria when it was still Philip Morris in the 1990s and until recently, had headed its growth division.

Amazon Launches Virtual Medical Clinic for Employees

Amazon has launched Amazon Care, a virtual health clinical for in-home follow-ups for its employees in Seattle. The clinic offers both telemedicine and in-person services, with virtual offerings included an “in-app video with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse…for advice, answers, diagnosis, treatment or referrals.” According to CNBC, employees will have an option to see a provider via mobile app or website and they can text a nurse on any health optic. If an employee needs follow-up care, the clinic can arrange for an at-home visit with a nurse.