Health

WASHINGTON (AP) — A much-debated drug for Lou Gehrig’s disease won U.S. approval Thursday, a long-sought victory for patients that is likely to renew questions about the scientific rigor behind government reviews of experimental medicines.

VANCOUVER — British Columbia is expanding the power of pharmacists to renew and issue some prescriptions as part of a wide-ranging plan to relieve pressure on the province's struggling health-care system.

WINNIPEG — A rebounding economy and higher federal transfer payments helped cut Manitoba's deficit by more than half, government fiscal numbers released Thursday show.

RED DEER, Alta. — The United Conservative Party government says it will spend another $750 million on health care as part of an agreement with the Alberta Medical Association.

PORTLAND, Ore.

OTTAWA — The Liberal government is defending the military's continued use of a vaccine mandate for Armed Forces members as a condition of employment amid pressure to end the requirement and questions about when a promised “tweak” will finally be unve

MONTREAL — The family of an Indigenous woman who was mocked by staff as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital in September 2020 filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking nearly $2.7 million in damages.

QUEBEC — New COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations linked to the disease are on the rise in Quebec, prompting the province to make the influenza vaccine available earlier than usual to protect vulnerable people against both viruses. Starting Oct.

Thousands of people were evacuated from nursing homes and hospitals across Florida on Thursday even as winds and water from Hurricane Ian began receding.

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish government said a planned meeting Friday of the nine leaders of Europe’s Mediterranean countries will be postponed because Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the event's host, continues to test positive for COVID-19.