Over the last few years, “doing more with less” has become a mantra for most hospitals and health systems. Many are now looking at specialty pharmacy services as a way to strengthen their financial portfolios, reduce administrative burden and deliver more patient-centered care.

Besides filling the chief pharmacy officer and pharmacy director roles, pharmacists are filling other C-suite and senior leadership jobs in hospitals. 

The shortages of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, a Type 2 diabetes and weight loss drug, respectively, could continue for years, Forbes reported Sept. 16. 

Since late August, six medications have fallen into short supply, including one cancer therapy.

The potential is growing for MDMA-assisted therapy, also known as ecstasy, to be approved for treating PTSD as more research finds success. 

Following an FDA advisory committee's determination that a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines is ineffective, the agency released a statement  clarifying it has not yet made a final decision on the matter. 

The Federal Trade Commission is targeting brand-name drugmakers that are improperly listing patents, which can weaken competition. 

The updated fall COVID-19 vaccines that are beginning to roll out are not booster shots. Experts say there is an important distinction between what constitutes a booster shot and these newly formulated vaccines, CBS News reported Sept. 15.

Six pharmacy benefit managers account for 96 percent of the industry's market share, and their lead is growing, according to an analysis from the American Medical Association. 

Johnson & Johnson is reinventing itself by renaming its pharmaceutical segment and changing its logo, the company said Sept. 14. 

The National Institutes of Health has awarded New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai a five-year, $13 million grant to develop new coronavirus vaccines.

CMS has named 34 prescription drugs that could have lower out-of-pocket costs for those on Medicare, potentially saving up to $618 per dose.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's pharmacy school unveiled a new avenue that guarantees admission for high schoolers and first-year undergrads into its PharmD program. 

The California State Board of Pharmacy documented "major deficiencies" related to staff training and knowledge in 2019 at Sutter Coast Hospital's compounding pharmacy, which was recently placed on a three-year probation. 

In 2023, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. began selling two generic medications cheaper than their branded versions by more than $10,000. 

The FDA sent warning letters Sept. 12 to CVS, Walgreens and six other companies for illegally marketing unapproved eye drug products. 

Cisplatin, a drug used for multiple types of cancer that's been in a severe shortage for months, is close to returning to 100 percent of pre-shortage supply levels, the White House said Sept. 12. 

Shields Health Solutions, a specialty pharmacy solutions company, has secured new partnerships with six systems in 2023, adding to its portfolio of about 850 hospitals. 

A 16-person FDA advisory panel agreed Sept. 12 that oral phenylephrine, an ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, does not help with nasal congestion. 

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is the latest drugmaker to impose pricing restrictions for 340B participants, according to a Sept. 11 news release from the 340B Health organization. Its decision makes it the 25th drugmaker to impose the restrictions since 2020.