Latest Drug News

• How New Federal Legislation Might Cut Your Drug Costs

  Under the law, Medicare will now be allowed to negotiate the cost of some drugs which should reduce out-of-pocket costs for seniors with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

• U.S. Opioid Prescriptions Are Declining

  A new study found the downward trend in prescribing opioids also applied to cancer patients and people with other chronic pain.

• Vaccinations Cut U.S. COVID Deaths by 58%: Study

  A new study says the U.S. COVID vaccination program saved hundreds of thousands of lives during the first two waves of the pandemic, slashing the coronavirus' expected death rate by as much as 58%.

• FDA Panel to Weigh Improved Booster Shots From Moderna, Pfizer

  Because the virus mutates so quickly, the FDA may approve the new vaccine formulations as COVID cases are expected to surge again this winter.

• FDA Authorizes COVID Vaccines in Kids as Young as 6 Months

  The emergency use authorization means parents could start vaccinating young children as early as next week, pending CDC approval.

• For Survivors, School Shootings a Lasting and Mean Companion

  For children who survive mass shootings, the outcome over the next few days, months and years depends on many factors, but how parents address the trauma both immediately and long-term can make a huge difference, experts say.

• Upadacitinib Earns FDA Approval for Ankylosing Spondylitis

  The FDA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq) as an oral treatment for active ankylosing spondylitis in adults.

• CDC Reports Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in Florida

  The CDC has issued a health warning about an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida, primarily among gay and bisexual men, including those living with HIV.

• Florida to Get $870M From CVS, Drug Companies in Opioid Case

  The money must be spent on tackling the opioid crisis in the state, including prevention efforts, treatment, or recovery services.

• Obama Tests Positive for COVID-19

  In a Twitter message Sunday afternoon, the 44th president said, he has had a “scratchy throat” for several days “but am feeling fine otherwise. "

• CDC Preparing to Update Mask Guidance

  The CDC will soon update its COVID-19 guidance -- including masking recommendations -- as cases continue to drop, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, said Wednesday.

• Not Your Parents' Pot: Teen Cannabis Use Raises Red Flags

  Not Your Parents' Pot: Teen Cannabis Use Raises Red Flags Jan. 24, 2022 -- Marijuana. Mary Jane. Weed. Pot. Skunk. Shake, shatter, and pre-rolls. No matter what you call it, thanks to expanded medical and recreational availability of cannabis in the United States, a growing number of adolescents are using the drug — with potentially dangerous and mostly unintended consequences. And both parents and practitioners are being caught off guard.Deborah, a parent in Boston (who requested that her name be masked to protect her family), knows the risks first-hand. Last year, her 19-year-old son landed in the

• CBD and Cannabis Products for Acne, Psoriasis? Buyer Beware

  Many turn to CBD and cannabis products to treat a variety of skin conditions. But researchers warn that the science on their safety and power hasn't kept up with demand.

• Hospitals Are Rationing COVID Pills, Infusions as Cases Rise

  To deal with supply shortages, health care providers are developing algorithms to determine who gets treatment.

• Walmart, Kroger Raise Price of At-Home COVID Test

  Walmart and Kroger raised the price of one of the most popular and least expensive at-home COVID-19 test kits after an agreement with the White House to sell the tests at a lower cost expired.

• New Medication Approved for Underserved Sickle Cell Community

  Oxbryta holds the hemoglobin in a particular shape that prevents sickle cells from stacking, preventing complications like organ damage and pain.

• The New COVID Antiviral Pills: What You Need to Know

  Which COVID patients should get the pills and how soon should the pills be taken?

• CDC Shortens COVID Isolation, Quarantine Times

  The CDC recommended shorter COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods on Monday, cutting the time for people without symptoms and close contacts from 10 days to 5 days.

• FDA Approves First Injection Regimen for HIV Prevention

  Until now, two types of daily pills (Truvada and Descovy) were the only options for what's called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

• FDA Allows Abortion Pill to Stay Available by Mail

  Patients will be able to have a telemedicine appointment with a provider who can prescribe the pills and send them to the patient by mail.

• Weed May Mess With Your Medicines, Causing Harm

  A new study suggests using marijuana could wreak havoc with any other medications you take because the body uses the same set of enzymes to process them all.

• Drug Can Keep Leukemia in Remission for Years in Younger Patients

  New research confirms long remissions after treatment with the drug ibrutinib and chemotherapy.

• Only Half of U.S. Nursing Home Residents Have Received Boosters

  The CDC reports only about half of fully vaccinated nursing home residents have received a vaccine booster dose.

• Cities Detecting Omicron Through Wastewater Testing

  A number of U.S. cities have detected the Omicron variant by running tests on wastewater.

• Nation's First Overdose Prevention Centers Open in NYC

  The centers provide people a place to bring their drugs and use them under the supervision of trained staff members who will provide clean needles, prevent overdoses and offer connections to addiction services.