|
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has
recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ease
federal restrictions on marijuana. The HHS recommendation suggests
moving marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, which would
have significant implications for the industry, including the ability to
deduct ordinary business expenses for tax purposes. This move comes
after President Joe Biden ordered a review of marijuana policy, and it is
seen as a significant step toward aligning federal law with the growing
number of states that have legalized marijuana in some form. However,
the ultimate decision rests with the DEA, and the timing of any potential
rescheduling remains uncertain.
|
The opioid overdose antidote Narcan will soon be available over the
counter at major retailers, including Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, and
CVS, as well as online. This move aims to increase access to Narcan to
combat the rising number of overdose deaths in the United States, which
reached an all-time high in 2021. However, the cost of a two-pack of
Narcan, priced at $44.99, has raised concerns that it may be out of reach
for some individuals, limiting its accessibility to those who need it most.
|
A study has found that patients could save millions of dollars by
purchasing prescription drugs through online pharmacy discount
programs like Amazon Pharmacy or GoodRx, compared to traditional
insurance plans. Researchers at the University of Toledo College of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Ohio analyzed 20 commonly
prescribed generic drugs and found that at least 1 out of 5 prescriptions
were cheaper through these discount programs. The potential savings
were estimated at about $969 million for Amazon Pharmacy users and
about $1.83 billion for GoodRx users. This study highlights the potential
benefits of such online pharmacy discount programs for reducing out-ofpocket costs for Americans, particularly those without adequate insurance
coverage.
|
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it still
plans to finalize rules that would prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes
and flavored cigars this year, but the agency is running behind schedule.
The deadline to work out the details of this ban was originally set for
August 2023, but the FDA now states that it will complete work on the rule
"in the coming months." Many public health leaders have expressed
frustration with the lengthy process, as they believe that regulations on
menthol, the last flavor allowed in cigarettes, are urgently needed to
reduce the harms associated with smoking.
|
Roz Brewer has stepped down as the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance,
leaving the company's board as well. This decision was characterized as
mutual, and Ginger Graham, the lead independent director and a
healthcare industry veteran, will serve as interim chief while the company
searches for a replacement. Brewer had led Walgreens since March 2021
and during her tenure, the company pursued a transition to position itself
more as a healthcare company rather than a pharmacy chain. However,
Walgreens has struggled with a drop in demand for COVID-19 testing and
vaccines, and its retail sales have faced strong competition from retailers
like Walmart and Amazon. As Walgreens aims to become more of a
healthcare provider, Brewer's skillset was seen as less aligned with the
company's goals. This transition aligns with a broader industry trend of
pharmacy chains seeking to expand their healthcare services and
offerings.
|
|