Flexibilities for the opioid use disorder treatment methadone made during the COVID-19 pandemic have now been made permanent, HHS said Feb. 1, marking the first substantial changes to its regulations in 20 years. 

Multiple solutions of etoposide and topotecan are on back order.

First-time pass rates for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination have slightly dipped in the past two years, according to data from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. 

Feb.1 marks the first day that federal officials will negotiate the price for 10 of the most expensive drugs as part of the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, The Hill reported.

Among the rise in popularity of weight-loss drugs, an "obesity bill of rights" has been published and endorsed by nearly 40 national obesity, and chronic disease organizations, with the aim to have providers incorporate the standards into medical practice.

On Feb. 1, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists appointed five leaders to its new digital and telehealth practitioners committee. 

The average all-time pass rate of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination was 75.7% in 2023 — a slight increase from the year prior, according to data from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. 

The spike in syphilis cases across the U.S. are spurring public health agencies to recommend that clinicians ration penicillin injectables, the preferred treatment, KFF Health News reported Feb. 1. 

As part of its new cell and gene therapy access tool, HHS' first focus is improving access to sickle cell disease therapies, which can cost millions of dollars for a one-time dose. 

Biogen is discontinuing its Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, which was approved in 2021 but became snarled in efficacy concerns and payers' refusals to cover the medication. 

After laying off 5% of its corporate workforce in November, Walgreens will lay off 145 more workers, most of whom are corporate employees, the company confirmed to Becker's. 

In January, nine more drugs fell into shortage, adding to the 300-some medications in short supply because of manufacturing delays, quality issues or high demand. 

Azurity Pharmaceuticals has recalled one lot of Zenzedi — a drug used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD — after learning that at least one bottle contained a different drug. 

An experimental drug was produced clinically meaningful pain relief among surgical and non-surgical pain conditions, and the therapy could fill the gap between safe, low-efficacy medicines and opioid treatments, its manufacturer said Jan. 30. 

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have lessened, officials at Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine, which includes University of Michigan Health and the university's medical school, have been able to invest in innovative care, including expanding its specialty and mail-order pharmacy program. Among the goals were increasing the number of prescriptions it fills annually through its in-house pharmacy, as well as reducing the time it takes to fill prescriptions for patients.

Sharp HealthCare, a seven-hospital system in San Diego, partnered with a specialty pharmacy solutions provider Jan. 30.

The FDA will end emergency use authorization of Paxlovid for adult patients March 8. 

After the FDA approved the first over-the-counter emergency contraception in 2006, emergency department visits for the medication decreased by 96% over the next 14 years, according to a new study. 

A new class of weight loss and diabetes drugs could reduce inflammation in the liver, kidneys, heart and even the brain, Nature reported Jan. 26. 

Levemir, one of the three types of long-acting basal insulins, is evacuating the U.S. market, and diabetes patient advocates told USA Today they're worried about using a new medication after nearly two decades.