Regulatory and Washington

LEXINGTON, Mass. — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently voted in favor of three recommendations for the use of GlaxoSmithKline's recently-approved Shingrix (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) containing QS-21 Stimulon for the prevention of shingles.

ARLINGTON, Va. — With President Donald Trump set to declare a national opioid emergency this week, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has suggested four public policy initiatives to the Administration and members of Congress. The suggestions, outlined in a letter sent Tuesday, are aimed at building on current collaborative efforts to stem opioid abuse while maintaining high-quality patient care, NACDS said.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Independent Pharmacy Day celebrates the contributions of independent pharmacists in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient care. Health Mart and American Pharmacy Cooperative have invited Florida legislators to visit pharmacies across Florida on Oct. 27 to highlight independent pharmacy’s unique contributions and impact on healthcare in communities around the state.

LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline on Friday announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Shingrix (zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted) for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults aged 50 years and older. Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine given intramuscularly in two doses.

ATLANTA — A federal district judge here has issued an order finding several defendants in contempt for violating previous court orders related to the sale of weight-loss dietary supplements. The order imposes a more than $40 million judgment against the defendants, part or all of which the Federal Trade Commission may use to provide refunds to consumers who bought the products.

SAN DIEGO — Always on the lookout for new categories, Drug Store News happened across the Kismet Consumer Product Group, which made its NACDS conference debut this year at the Total Store Expo in San Diego with a line of hemp and CBD wellness products.

LOS ANGELES — A new survey from the national non-profit Transamerica Center for Health Studies shows that 81% of Americans are aware of the healthcare debates in Washington, and of those, 92% are concerned about those changes and 59%  are very or extremely concerned.

The three biggest fears among Americans include:

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Wednesday announced a new initiative to support retailers in states that have adopted laws prohibiting the sale of over-the-counter medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan to minors. The announcement comes on the heels of Nevada’s enactment of a DXM age-restriction law last week.