The number of ongoing drug shortages in the U.S. is at its highest since 2001 — when the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists began tracking data. There are now 323 medications in low supply. 

The U.S. might soon see an approved respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for adults younger than 60. 

Biosimilars can now be substituted as part of regular formulary maintenance changes, according to CMS' Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule for 2025. However, the change could significantly increase patient cost sharing, according to an article on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists website.

Three pharmacy benefit managers accounted for nearly 80% of all prescription claims handled in 2023, according to an April 9 report from the Drug Channels Institute.

A jury awarded $42.4 million to the estate of a patient who died after staff failed to get the patient's baclofen prescription filled in a timely manner, a case study posted on the American Pharmacy Association website said.

Two years after launching, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs now sells hundreds of generics and about 20 branded medications for a discounted rate. It also partners with hospitals, independent pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers. 

UFCW 3000, a union representing about 50,000 workers at health systems, retail stores and other businesses in three states, said it secured wage increases for some Kaiser Permanente employees. 

Acorda Therapeutics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy April 1. 

The average pharmacist's salary in the U.S. is $134,790, and 15 states and Washington, D.C., are above the average, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists partly welcomed HHS' 18-page policy recommendations for drug shortage strategies, but the organization said it "proposes concerning penalties."

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is withdrawing its FDA-approved therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Relyvrio, from the market after a phase 3 study failure, the company said April 4. 

David Joyner, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Caremark, called out Mark Cuban's drug company in a paid op-ed Fortune published April 3. 

On average, general hospitals pay pharmacists more than retailers, but both industries are not among the five highest paying for the profession, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

On April 3, the FDA approved Zevtera, an antibiotic with three different uses. 

CVS Health on April 3 unveiled a new tuition assistance program for pharmacy interns and a scholarship program for students in pharmacy school. 

More than 25 states have enacted laws designed to protect against pharmacy benefit managers' discriminatory practices in the 340B program, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists said April 2. 

Every year, U.S. hospitals spend at least $600 million to mitigate drug shortages, according to HHS. On April 2, the department proposed financial incentives for hospitals with resilient drug supplies. 

In the past week, three pharmaceutical companies have recalled medications because of patient safety concerns. 

Amazon Pharmacy is now offering same-day prescription medicine deliveries for customers in New York City and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to more than a dozen cities by the end of the year.

Since March 20, 10 more drugs are either in short supply or discontinued — and the healthcare supply chain industry is watching whether the collapse of a Baltimore bridge might cause disruptions.