Prescription Drug Misuse & Disposal

Online Pharmacies Under Scrutiny for Lax Safety Checks, Endangering Patients

January 10, 2024 - In a groundbreaking investigation, the BBC uncovered a concerning trend in the online pharmaceutical industry, where prescription-only medicines are sold without adequate checks. The report exposes a regulatory loophole that risks patients' lives and highlights the urgent need for stricter rules and oversight. The BBC investigation revealed...

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WHO Urged Actions to Stop Antimicrobial Resistance

by Veronica Salib

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes World Antimicrobial Resistance Week from November 18, 2023, to November 24, 2023. Throughout this week, the organization highlights data on antimicrobial...

DEA Extends Telemedicine Prescription of Controlled Medicines

by Veronica Salib

In an announcement on October 6, 2023, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that they would extend the COVID-19...

White House National Response Plan Addresses Xylazine, Fentanyl Risk

by Veronica Salib

A statement issued by the White House on July 11, 2023, outlined a national response plan to address the ongoing risk of fentanyl laced with xylazine. As more illicit drug overdoses are linked to...

Mallinckrodt Shareholders Doubt Company Will Pay $200M Opioid Settlement

by Hayden Schmidt

United Kingdom-based Mallinckrodt is considering repeat bankruptcy as its $200 million opioid payment comes due. A Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing from June 5 showed that company...

FDA Approves New Opioid Reversal Nasal Spray, A Harm Reduction Tool

by Veronica Salib

On May 22, 2023, the FDA approved Opvee, a nalmefene hydrochloride nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose in patients 12 and older. This approval adds a harm-reduction tool to existing tools,...

Study Links Stimulant Prescription Rates to Teen Drug Misuse

by Veronica Salib

On April 18, 2023, JAMA Network Open published an article linking stimulant prescription rates for ADGD to teen drug misuse. The study analyzed the medical and nonmedical use of prescription stimulants...

How to Properly Dispose of Unused Drugs, Understanding Key Roles

by Veronica Salib

Unused medications pose a significant threat to healthcare, considering the impacts of improper disposal and drug misuse. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that are expired or no longer needed by the intended patient...

Understanding Good Prescribing Principles and Medication Errors

by Veronica Salib

Medication administration and dosing are some of the most critical components of healthcare. Improper dosing or mistakes during the prescription process contributes to thousands of healthcare complications each year and billions of dollars...

FDA Grants Approval to Emergent BioSolutions for Over-the-Counter Narcan

by Hayden Schmidt

On Wednesday, the FDA approved Narcan nasal spray for non-prescription over-the-counter use, making it available to consumers across various markets and retail locations. The approval went to Emergent...

Identifying and Preventing Prescriber Identity Theft in the Digital Era

by Veronica Salib

Between 2013 and 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) identified nearly 10,000 cases of prescriber identity theft. An article by the Cooperative of American Physicians states that 10% of prescribers have had their Drug Enforcement...

Legalizing Recreational Cannabis May Reduce Some Opioid Distribution

by Veronica Salib

Recreational cannabis availability through state-level legalization may contribute to reduced rates of opioid distribution, opioid use disorder (OUD), and overdose. As the opioid epidemic has evolved...

How Naloxone Co-Prescribing Laws Can Facilitate Opioid Education

by Veronica Salib

Fueled by deceit from pharmaceutical companies and over-prescription, the opioid epidemic has continued to impact thousands of lives. Throughout recent years, public health organizations and healthcare professionals have been working to...

Preventing Prescription Drug Fraud

by Veronica Salib

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) notes that approximately 6% of people over 12 in the United States abuse prescription drugs annually, amounting to 16 million people. Additionally, about two million people who abuse...

Study Finds Increased Prevalence of Nonpharmacological Pain Treatment

by Veronica Salib

Following a publication earlier this year that analyzed patterns in prescribing nonopioid pain medication, JAMA Network Open published an article on November 7, 2022, which compared trends in...

CVS Implements Time Delay Safes for Controlled Substances

by Veronica Salib

In a recent announcement, CVS Health stated that they are implementing time delay safes in western states, including Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. These safes attempt to protect...

FDA Considers New Strategy to Boost Safe Opioid Disposal

by Samantha McGrail

FDA is seeking public comment on a potential change that would require opioid analgesics used in outpatient settings to be dispensed with prepaid mail-back envelopes and that pharmacies provide patient...

Congress Reintroduces PASTEUR Act to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

by Samantha McGrail

US Senators Michael Bennet and Todd Young, and Representatives Mike Doyle and Drew Ferguson recently reintroduced the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act to...

HHS Expands Access to Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder

by Samantha McGrail

HHS recently announced that it will expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Under the agency’s guidelines, Practice Guidelines for the Administration for...

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance Through Global Market Reform

by Samantha McGrail

A Pioneer Institute report found that market reforms using “push” and “pull” funding will help to combat the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.  The CDC considers...

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