The Republican attorney general of Texas has filed a lawsuit against a New York doctor who mailed abortion pills to a woman in the southern state.

Texas has some of the toughest laws restricting abortion in the country, and the case pits state laws regulating the procedure against each other.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the civil suit on Thursday against Margaret Carpenter, the New York-based founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine.

The attorney general’s office said Carpenter provided a 20-year-old Texas woman with “abortion-inducing drugs that ended the life of an unborn child and resulted in serious complications for the mother.”

“Texas laws prohibit a physician or medical supplier from providing any abortion-inducing drugs by courier, delivery, or mail service,” it said.

In addition, “no physician may treat patients or prescribe Texas residents medicine through telehealth services unless the doctor holds a valid Texas medical license.”

Carpenter is not a licensed physician in Texas.

Texas is seeking an injunction against Carpenter barring her from illegally practicing medicine in the state and from prescribing abortion pills to Texas residents.

He is also seeking a $100,000 fine for each violation.

“In Texas, we treasure the health and lives of mothers and babies, and this is why out-of-state doctors may not illegally and dangerously prescribe abortion-inducing drugs to Texas residents,” Paxton said.

Democratic-controlled New York has passed a so-called shield law which provides legal protection to New York doctors who send abortion pills to women in states where the procedure has been outlawed.

Eighteen Democratic-ruled states have enacted shield laws since the US Supreme Court struck down the nationwide right to abortion in 2022, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

In June of this year, the top court rejected a bid by anti-abortion groups to restrict mifepristone, the pill widely used to terminate pregnancies in the United States.

The Texas lawsuit raises thorny legal questions for the courts about what is known as extraterritoriality, the application of one state’s laws to another.

AFP

Malaria Vaccine Receives High Marks In Latest Treatment Evaluation StudyThe R21 malaria vaccine has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO), offering an affordable and promising solution for malaria control in Africa, according to a recent study published by 1Day Africa, a global non-profit organization. The study emphasizes that the vaccine’s cost-effectiveness is comparable to that of insecticide-treated bed nets, which have long been a cornerstone in malaria prevention.

The report reveals that the R21 vaccine costs $39 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, closely rivaling the $38 cost of bed nets. In contrast, the RTS malaria vaccine costs $129 per DALY, making R21 a more cost-efficient option for large-scale distribution in low- and middle-income countries.

Produced by the Serum Institute of India, the R21 vaccine benefits from streamlined manufacturing processes, which contribute to its reduced cost. Researchers suggest that combining R21 with other malaria control measures, such as seasonal chemoprevention and vector control programs, could significantly reduce malaria cases in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of global malaria incidents occur.

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, with 95% of the world’s cases reported in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022. The introduction of the R21 vaccine, according to the study, could reshape malaria control efforts, especially in regions facing rising resistance to traditional prevention methods.

The report calls for continued investment in malaria research and the integration of new interventions like R21 into comprehensive public health strategies to tackle the disease more effectively.

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has raised an alert over the circulation of counterfeit Combiart Dispersible Tablet 20/120mg in Nigeria.

NAFDAC disclosed this via a post on its X handle on Thursday.

According to the agency, the product is manufactured by Strides Arcolab Limited, based in India.

“This product was discovered in the FCT and Rivers State during surveillance activities conducted by officers of the Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC.

“The laboratory report of the analysis carried out on the product revealed that it contained zero active pharmaceutical ingredients. The product was also observed to have two different date markings. The NAFDAC database of registered products confirmed that the product licence has expired, and the NAFDAC registration number on it is incorrect and does not belong to the product.

“The Artemether and Lumefantrine combination belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarials. It treats malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by mosquito bites. However, this medicine is not used to treat severe or complicated malaria,” NAFDAC stated.

The agency warned that counterfeit medicines pose significant risks to health as they do not meet regulatory standards, meaning their safety, quality, and efficacy cannot be assured.

It added that counterfeit medicines often fail to effectively treat conditions, leading to severe health consequences, including death.

NAFDAC identified the product’s batch number as 7225119, with a NAFDAC registration number of A11-0299. It noted that the manufacturing dates on the product were June 2023 and February 2023, while the expiry dates were May 2026 and June 2026.

The manufacturer’s name and address were listed as:
Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore (562 106), India.

The agency directed all its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove the counterfeit products from circulation. Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers were urged to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

“All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The authenticity and physical condition of the products should be carefully checked,” NAFDAC advised.

Healthcare professionals and consumers were also urged to report any suspicion of substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be made via the NAFDAC hotline at 0800-162-3322

Similarly, adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicines or devices should be reported through the NAFDAC e-reporting platform on its website, the Med-Safety app (available on Android and iOS)

NAFDAC noted that the alert will also be uploaded to the World Health Organisation Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.