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Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, despite another round of gloomy clouds hovering over the Pharmalot campus. Our spirits remain sunny thanks
to a bit of wisdom passed along by the Morning Mayor: Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift. So while you tug on the proverbial ribbon, we will brew another cup of
stimulation and continue foraging for items of interest. Speaking of which, here are some tidbits. Enjoy your day and do keep us in mind when something interesting happens … THE U.K.’S
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE EXCELLENCE IS NOT RECOMMENDING NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE USE OF THE SPINRAZA TREATMENT FOR SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY SOLD BY BIOGEN (BIIB), EVEN AFTER THE
COMPANY OFFERED A DISCOUNT, Pharmaphorum tells us. The cost-effectiveness agency is talking with the drug maker about a “managed access” scheme to limit the financial risks to the NHS. Such
schemes are typically used for very rare drugs, but the SMA patient population is too large for Spinraza to be considered. There are between 1,200 and 2,500 children and adults in the U.K.
with SMA. NOVARTIS (NVS) RECRUITED A NEW CHIEF ETHICS OFFICER IN RESPONSE TO A SERIES OF BRIBERY SCANDALS AND CONTROVERSY OVER A $1.2 MILLION CONTRACT WITH A FORMER LAWYER FOR PRESIDENT
TRUMP. The drug maker hired Klaus Moosmayer, who spent more than a decade overseeing efforts at Siemens to build compliance procedures after bribery scandals. Novartis has paid settlements
or fines in corruption cases in China, South Korea, and the U.S. and was widely criticized for its contract with Michael Cohen, who was paid to gain influence with the White House, which the
company called a mistake. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in THIS ARTICLE IS EXCLUSIVE TO STAT+ SUBSCRIBERS UNLOCK THIS ARTICLE — PLUS IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, NEWSLETTERS,
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