Here I share some of the latest news, articles, editorials, or blog posts that fall generally under the theme of Pharma or healthcare. I might throw in a something off-topic from time to time which I found while wandering throughout the endless hallways and corridors of the internet. All article shared will be free to read and not locked behind an annoying paywall.
LAWMAKERS LOOKING TO REGULATE PBMs
Pharmacies and pharmacists have been complaining for a long time about the practices of the PBM industry that is responsible for numerous tactics designed to hurt pharmacies and raises costs to patients and employers. As the article explains: “The issue here is this is such an opaque industry that we really cannot follow the money,” LAW.COM. READ MORE.
CALIFORNIA CONSIDERS CLASSIFYING FLAVORING AS “COMPOUNDING“
In a nearly unprecedented move, the state of California is considering treating “flavoring” of a prescription (such as a child’s antibiotic) as “compounding”, thus making the process more difficult and burdensome to pharmacies. “Right now, 48 out of 50 State Boards of Pharmacy do not regulate flavoring as compounding. In fact, 98% of children 11 or younger live in a state that does not consider flavoring of medications to be compounding.” CAL-MATTERS. READ MORE.
NEW FDA WARNING: OPIOIDS MAY INCREASE PAIN!
This is interesting. A condition known as “Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia” or OHA has been reported enough times now that the FDA is requiring an update to all the labeling of all opioids to reflect this potential risk. “It isn’t clear why opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs or which biochemical pathways may be responsible. OIH is most often seen with long-term or high-dose opioid use.” DRUG TOPICS. READ MORE.
PATIENT SUES PHARMACY FOR SWITCHING GENERICS
We have to switch generics for a variety of reasons. This patient alleges that the switch caused her seizures and she sued. “After starting to use the new version, the patient experienced 3 seizures, which led to her being admitted to the hospital. This was cause for concern, because she had been using the yellowish-white version for 10 years and had not had a seizure for 7 years.” PHARMACY TIMES. READ MORE.
FOR FUN – WHY YOU HAVE GRAY HAIR
A new study might unlock the secret to preventing gray hair! “While the study was conducted on mice, the researchers believe their findings apply to human hair graying as well, and hope their discoveries could pave the way for preventing or reversing graying hair.” ADVISORY BOARD. READ MORE.
Last modified: April 27, 2023
