Traces of a potential carcinogen were detected in samples of a popular diabetes drug, marketed as Januvia and Janumet, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.

• New Jersey: FDA last week said that traces of a potential carcinogen were detected in samples of Merck's popular diabetes drug, marketed as Januvia and Janumet. The contamination with a nitrosamine compound known as NTTP was detected by Merck, which then notified regulators. Millions of individuals who have Type 2 diabetes use the drug, called sitagliptin, to regulate high blood sugar levels. In 2021, the drug generated over $5 billion in revenue and was Merck's third best-selling product. While some samples were contaminated, FDA is allowing the company to continue selling it temporarily, citing the medical needs of patients. "It could be dangerous for patients with [Type 2 diabetes] to stop taking their sitagliptin without first talking to their health care professional," FDA said. Merck is currently working with health authorities to address the contamination concerns. "We remain confident in the safety, efficacy and quality of our sitagliptin-containing medicines," the company said, adding that shortages of the drug are not expected. (Jacobs, New York Times, 8/11)

• New York: Oscar Health CEO and co-founder Mario Schlosser on Thursday announced that the company has decided not to pursue additional full-service +Oscar agreements in the next 18 months—a decision that came after the company experienced difficulties executing its deal with Health First Health Plans. Previously, Oscar Health was pursuing up to two deals a year for its +Oscar information technology services, which are designed to assist other insurers and providers make the transition to risk-based payment models, manage medical expenditures, and engage patients. Last year, Oscar Health announced the Health First Health Plans partnership, which would provide the company's Medicare Advantage and individual policyholders with access to their member engagement, provider, and broker services. Initially, the deal was scheduled to begin at the beginning of 2022, but it encountered "post-launch challenges due to the complexity of integrations at this scale," Schlosser said. "We're in the middle of work supporting integration there, and seven months in we're still refining implementation and recommitting additional resources," he added. (Tepper, Modern Healthcare, 8/11)

• Ohio: Cardinal Health on Thursday announced the departure of CEO Mike Kaufmann, effective Aug. 31. The company named CFO Jason Hollar, who has joined the board of directors, as Kaufmann's successor. Hollar, who joined Cardinal in May 2020, previously served as a CFO at auto equipment manufacturer Tenneco and retailer Sears Holdings Corp. Chief accounting officer Patricia English will serve as interim CFO until Hollar's successor is named. "I believe, as we start a new fiscal year, the time is right for me to step away as CEO and open the door for a new leader to take Cardinal Health forward over the coming years," said Kaufmann, who has been with the company for 32 years, serving as CEO for almost five years. (Hudson, Modern Healthcare, 8/11)