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News

In brief

BMJ 1998; 317 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.317.7155.366 (Published 08 August 1998) Cite this as: BMJ 1998;317:366

American Medical Association (AMA) settles legal suit: The AMA has agreed to pay nearly $10m (£6m) to the Sunbeam Corporation after pulling out of a deal to endorse some of the company's products, including humidifiers and heating pads. There was public outcry over the deal (30 August 1997, p 502)

New regulations proposed for orphan drugs: The European Commission has said that manufacturers of drugs for the treatment of rare diseases will be awarded exclusive distribution rights for 10 years throughout the European Union. The measure is part of a series of incentives aimed at helping manufacturers recover the costs associated with low volume production.

South Africa tightens rules on tobacco advertising: The South African cabinet has approved draft bill that will end all tobacco advertising, except at the point of sale, and that will stop all tobacco sponsorship. The legislation will also ban smoking in the workplace and allow local authorities to impose bans on smoking in certain public places.

New health minister appointed: Baroness Hayman, former Labour MP and chairwoman of a London health trust, has been appointed a junior health minister in the British government. She succeeds Baroness Jay, now leader of the House of Lords.

New code of conduct for the World Health Organisation: From now on senior WHO officials will have to disclose, and if judged necessary divest themselves of, financial and other interests if these interests affect their independence from external authorities. The move was the first official action by Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Defence doctors' pay award: Armed forces medical and dental officers have been awarded a pay increase (5.2% for ranks of major and above, 4.2% for captains and below) by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. The government has staged the award to 2% from 1 April and the rest from 1 December 1998.