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Senate approves Medicare 'lock-in' amendment on opioid abuse
WASHINGTON - The United States Senate approved an amendment Wednesday that gives Medicare Part D plans the authority to require at-risk beneficiaries to use a single prescriber and pharmacy for frequently abused drugs.
Flu levels remain high across southern and western U.S., Walgreens Flu Index finds
DEERFIELD, Ill. - The level of flu continues to be high across Arizona, Texas and Mississippi, according to the lateset Walgreens Flu Index released Thursday. Looking forward, for the week of Feb. 28 the top three states experiencing the greatest flu activity gains included Mississippi, Kentucky and South Carolina.

The Walgreens Flu Index does not provide data measuring actual levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, illustrates which populations are experiencing the most incidences each week based on Index methodology.

FDA approves Gilead’s Odefsey

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Gilead Sciences’ new drug Odefsey (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg), the company announced Tuesday.
NACDS urges collaboration between regulators, law enforcement in letter to Senate

ARLINGTON, Va. - In a letter sent to members of the U.S. Senate on Monday, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores urged passage of legislation that would spur collaboration among health and enforcement authorities for drug abuse solutions that maintain patients’ legitimate access to medications.
FDA grants new indication for Novartis’ Afinitor

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted Novartis’ Afinitor (everolimus) tablets a new indication after giving it a priority review designation. The drug can now be prescribed to treat adults with unresectable, locally advanced of metastatic progressive, well-differentiated nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors (NET) with lung or gastrointestinal origin.
Poll: Parents who don't get their kids a flu shot don't value the vaccine
Adapt Pharma’s Narcan Nasal Spray now available in U.S.

DUBLIN — Adapt Pharma on Friday announced the availability of its Narcan (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray — an emergency treatment for opioid overdose, and the only naloxone nasal spray in the United States, according to the company.

The 4-mg nasal spray is available directly online or through such wholesalers as AmerisouceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson and HD Smith, as well as some specialty distributors.
Allergan’s Aczone Gel gets FDA approval

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Allergan’s Aczone (dapsone, 7.5) Gel. The gel is indicated to treat inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne in patients 12 years of age and older.

The once-daily treatment uses a pump delivery system and tested on more than 2,000 patients in clinical trials. Allergan said that it expects the drug to be available in May 2016.
CDC: This year's flu shot almost 60% effective

ATLANTA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday reported preliminary overall influenza vaccine effectiveness of 59% this season. This finding is comparable to past estimates for seasons when most circulating flu viruses and vaccine viruses have been similar.
U.S. Senate confirms FDA commissioner

Senate approves Medicare 'lock-in' amendment on opioid abuse

Flu levels remain high across southern and western U.S., Walgreens Flu Index finds

FDA approves Gilead’s Odefsey

NACDS urges collaboration between regulators, law enforcement in letter to Senate

FDA grants new indication for Novartis’ Afinitor

Poll: Parents who don't get their kids a flu shot don't value the vaccine

Adapt Pharma’s Narcan Nasal Spray now available in U.S.

Allergan’s Aczone Gel gets FDA approval

CDC: This year's flu shot almost 60% effective

U.S. Senate confirms FDA commissioner