CivicaScript released a generic version of dalfampridine, a drug used to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis, for $16 per bottle of 60 extended-release, 10-milligram tablets.  The price point is $960 less per month than the average cost of…

A treatment for Barth syndrome, a rare and often fatal genetic disorder, faces unexpected FDA-related hurdles, NBC News reported Aug. 18.  Approximately 150 people in the U.S. have Barth syndrome, a condition that can cause heart failure. Some with the…

Sterile compounding has long been recognized as a high-risk area of health system pharmacy. Traditional manual IV compounding techniques can be prone to human error, leading to incorrect ingredients and volumes, contamination, and mislabeling. And while advancements in IV compounding…

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, which earned $25.9 billion last year from U.S. prescription revenue, has expanded its limited distribution drug portfolio to 265 medications, the company said Aug. 19.  Limited distribution drugs are specialty medications that have complex regimens, high costs…

AstraZeneca has issued its flu vaccine nasal spray for at-home use.  The nasal spray is authorized for use by adults ages 18-49 and for caregiver use with children ages 2-17, according to an Aug. 15 news release from the drugmaker.…

Pharmacy leaders at health systems across the country say preserving the intent of the federal 340B drug pricing program and increasing transparency around pharmacy benefit managers are the most urgent policy changes that could impact patient access.  Here are responses…

Novo Nordisk is working with GoodRx to offer a month’s supply of Ozempic for $499, or about half the list price, for self-paying patients.  Ozempic, a drug approved for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, has a list…

The FDA has approved Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy to treat metabolic associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, in adults who have excessive scar tissue in the liver.  MASH is a serious liver condition linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, affecting…

Here are seven new drug shortages and discontinuations, according to drug supply databases from the FDA and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 

The FDA has issued warnings to manufacturers and distributors of unapproved animal-derived thyroid medications citing concerns over safety, effectiveness and quality.  The drugs, often sold under names Armour Thyroid, NP thyroid and Natural Thyroid, are made from dried pig thyroid…