Pharmacy

Researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick (N.J.) are questioning the FDA’s 2020 decision to place a safety warning on a common antiseizure medication.  Lamictal (lamotrigine), a GSK medicine approved to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, accounts for about 10% of all…

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed Senate Bill 383 into law, imposing new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers.  Here are five notes:

On June 5, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists honored 23 members as 2025 Fellows, including 19 who serve hospitals and health systems.  To be named a fellow, an ASHP member must commit to excellence in practice for at least…

The FDA has approved Merck’s Enflonasia, a monoclonal antibody designed to prevent respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants.  The approval is based on data from a phase 2b/3 trial, which showed a 60.5% reduction in…

The FDA has launched a pilot program using generative AI to help expedite the review of drug and device applications, part of a sweeping modernization effort by the agency.  The initiative, led by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, and Vinay…

In the first half of 2025, Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Co. has expanded operations across its drug manufacturing, distribution and partnership enterprises.  The company continues to grow its presence in the generic drug market while also working to promote…

The FDA has approved a revised label for Merck’s immunotherapy drug Keytruda, limiting its use in some gastrointestinal cancer treatments to patients whose tumors express a minimum level of PD-L1 protein.  The updated prescribing information now restricts first-line use of…

In 2024, the cost and utilization of specialty dermatology drugs significantly drove a 7% increase in pharmaceutical costs, according to a June 10 report from Navitus Health Solutions, a pharmacy benefits manager.  Although specialty medications accounted for less than 2%…

The American Pharmacists Association is withholding its endorsement of the latest adult immunization schedule issued by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.  After recent updates by HHS and CDC removed the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, the APhA…

Giant Eagle is taking over the prescriptions from 78 Rite Aid pharmacies across Pennsylvania and Ohio as Rite Aid shutters locations following its bankruptcy filing, CBS News reported June 6.  The regional grocer and pharmacy chain announced last week it…