Pharmacy

A record number of laws have been passed by states this year to increase affordability and access to prescription drugs, according to Kaiser Health News.

The FDA approved Sept. 6 the first treatment for a rare interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis or scleroderma.

Hospira is recalling one lot of its bacteriostatic water, used to dilute or dissolve medications for injection, due to contamination concerns.

Novartis, under fire for keeping data issues secret for months, pledged to more quickly notify the FDA about data manipulation concerns affecting pending marketing applications, STAT reported.

Mallinckrodt agreed in principle Sept. 6 to a $30 million deal to settle an opioid lawsuit filed against them by two Ohio counties, according to TheStreet.

The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, refused to surrender $4.5 billion in personal wealth to settle opioid claims against the company, which is now expected to file for bankruptcy, according to NPR.

In response to criticism over the escalating prices of insulin, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced two programs to help lower the cost of the drug for U.S. diabetic patients. 

As part of its bankruptcy filing, discount retail and pharmacy chain Fred's announced it is seeking a buyer for its remaining pharmacy assets.

Mallinckrodt has agreed to pay $15.4 million to resolve whistleblower allegations that the drugmaker paid physicians illegal kickbacks to boost prescriptions of its pricey H.P. Acthar Gel, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Joining a growing list of retailers, CVS Health and Walgreens will begin asking customers to not openly carry guns into their stores, according to USA Today.