U.S. court voids drug rep’s conviction, cites free speech

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A divided federal appeals court on Monday threw out the conviction of a sales representative for promoting off-label use of a prescription drug, a ruling that could make it harder for the government to police how drugs are marketed and sold. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York found that the sales representative’s free speech rights under the First Amendment had been violated. …

Teens may buy less tobacco when displays are hidden: study

(Reuters) – Teens may be less likely to buy cigarettes at convenience stores if they aren’t sold in plain sight behind the counter, according to a U.S. study conducted using a virtual reality game. “We know the retail environment is a very important place for tobacco companies to advertise and market their products,” said lead author Annice Kim, from the independent research institute RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. “They’re prominently displayed at the point of sale, and it exposes all customers, including kids. …

Drug industry treading water on R&D productivity

LONDON (Reuters) – Drug companies are becoming more efficient in hunting for new treatments, though this has yet to be reflected in improved investment returns, according to a report on Tuesday. Low productivity in research labs is the biggest single challenge facing the global pharmaceutical industry, which is struggling to replenish its medicine chest after a wave of patient expiries that peaked this year. …

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