Massachusetts gov trying to ban Zohydro; NICE slammed for limits to cancer drugs;

@FiercePharma: Top-read FP story yesterday: Merck, GlaxoSmithKline halt copay help for Obamacare patients. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: RT: Just out: today's full issue of FiercePharmaMarketing. More | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: FDA's Woodcock throws cold water on research that found foreign-made generics of Lipitor tainted. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Check out FierceBiotech's new EuroBiotech report, which will run every Friday from here on out. Report | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will try to ban sales of Zohydro there by declaring a health emergency around potential abuse of the high-powered painkiller. Story

> The FDA acknowledged meeting with the trial lawyers group, the American Association for Justice, when it was developing rules on labeling requirements for generic drugs. Story

> Congress will hold a trade hearing on U.S. efforts to oversee the safety of drug products coming out of China. Announcement

> A proposal by the U.K. drug price gatekeeper NICE to limit end-of-life use of some cancer drugs is coming under more criticism. Story

> An FTC official told a conference that the agency wants a $1 billion settlement from drug makers it has sued over pay-for-delay issues. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: An analyst thinks Smith & Nephew should split into three pieces, and investors loved the idea. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Check out FierceBiotech's debut EuroBiotech report. Report | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Small, drug-releasing battery could dissolve completely over time. Article via FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: GN Store Nord's U.S. customer base gets a boost thanks to its bluetooth-like hearing aid. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> In Ohio, Steris slashes jobs and plans to close a plant. More

> Exact Sciences wins unanimous FDA committee approval for its colon cancer Dx. News

> NeuroSigma brings on two Amgen execs to bolster its finance team. Item

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Our 1st EuroBiotech Report: Merck KGaA R&D chief exits, Sobi drug flops in PhIII, Adaptimmune gets full-time CEO. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Novartis is using Twitter to support its R&D team at adcomms? Social media won't substitute for another serelaxin trial. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Syndax swings for a $69M IPO with 'breakthrough' drug in tow. News | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Report: U.S. can do more to support global health R&D. Article via FierceBiotech Research | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Ebola still a tough target due to Big Pharma disinterest and few outbreaks. More

> MannKind faces stiff skepticism in its third go at FDA approval. Story

> AstraZeneca looks to China for kidney disease R&D. Item

And Finally... Former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is calling for the FDA to be replaced, citing the recent controversy over whether biotech Chimerix could provide a dying child with an unapproved drug. Blog Post