Here are seven articles Becker's Hospital Review published in the last week, highlighting the FDA's decision to extend the shelf life of several IV solutions in short supply and Congress' two-year delay of the medical device tax, among other topics.
1. Tamiflu prescriptions up 640% from last year: 3 things to know
Prescriptions for Tamiflu have seen a more than sixfold increase this flu season compared to last year.
2. New Jersey imposes strict limits on pharma payments, gifts to clinicians
New Jersey's Office of the Attorney General finalized rules limiting drug companies' payments and gifts to healthcare providers.
3. Congress passes 2-year delay of medical device tax: 4 things to know
Congress voted in favor of a stopgap spending bill Monday that ended the government shutdown and further delayed the enforcement of a 2.3 percent medical device tax.
4. Intermountain VP encourages more health systems to join effort to make generic drugs accessible, affordable
Dan Liljenquist, vice president of the enterprise initiative office at Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare, is fully aware of the high costs and shortages of generic drugs.
5. Drugmakers are participating in fight against superbugs — but more needs to be done
Drug companies are taking steps to address the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria, but these actions are still in early phases.
6. FDA extends shelf life of some IV solutions amid critical shortage: 4 things to know
The FDA prolonged the shelf life of numerous IV solutions manufactured by Baxter International amid an ongoing nationwide shortage.
7. Rite Aid pays $4M to settle criminal probe into improper sale of pseudoephedrine
Camp Hill, Pa.-based drugstore chain Rite Aid will pay $4 million to settle a U.S. Department of Justice criminal investigation into the improper sale of an ingredient often used to make methamphetamine.