Methylphenidate drugs, of which Ritalin (methylphenidate hcl) is probably the most well known, is the safest and most effective medication for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a recent study concluded.  Published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, the study...

Summer vacation is nearly over, which for many parents means it’s time to draw up back-to-school checklists and ensure their children have everything needed to return to classes. Most lists will feature the usual items; stationery, a new backpack, books, uniform; but there is one more...

Children and obese adults infected with influenza A, also known as the flu, transmit the virus longer than adults of a normal weight, according to a recent study.  Obesity is already recognized as a factor that increases the risk of severe complications as a result of influenza, yet new...

The Trump Administration has finalized new rules changing the maximum length of short-term, limited duration health plans, a step it claims will increase health insurance options for Americans.  Issued by the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury, the new...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the first of two new pieces of draft guidance that may eventually enable e-cigarette manufacturers to apply for regulated drug status for their products.  FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said there is “no greater impact we can...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Azedra (iobenguane I 131), the first drug approved for treatment of rare unresectable adrenal gland tumors that spread beyond the original tumor site and need treating with a systemic anti-cancer therapy.  Adrenal glands, situated above...

Patients with neutropenia may have improved access to treatment following the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval of Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi), a biosimilar for Amgen biologic Neupogen (filgrastim).  The FDA’s approval of the biosimilar was based on a review...

Streamlining the process of bringing biosimilars to market is one of the keys to facilitating innovation and reducing healthcare costs, according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. Speaking at the Brookings Institution on the release of the FDA’s...

Pharmaceutical giant Merck has reiterated it’s commitment to responsible drug pricing, pledging not to increase the average net price of its products by more than annual inflation.  Last year, the company published its second annual Pricing Action Transparency Report, which demonstrated...

Last week, Tibsovo (ivosidenib), a new targeted therapy for the treatment of certain adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a specific genetic mutation, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.  Richard Pazdur, MD, director of the FDA’s...

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Bayer will stop selling and distributing the Essure permanent contraceptive device in the United States after December 31st, 2018, the company announced last week.  The product is the only permanent non-surgical form of birth control available in the US and is...

Detection of an impurity has prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce a voluntary recall of several medications containing the active ingredient valsartan. Among the products recalled are valsartan-containing medications manufactured by Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is examining ways to empower consumers by improving access to a range of non-prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication and drug products. OTC drugs, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Claritin (loratadine), are considered the first line treatment...

“Change is coming to prescription drug pricing,” is the message from Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Alex Azar, who made the comments at the annual meeting of 340B Health, a trade group for 340B hospitals.  At the meeting, he suggested the existing 340B system is in need...

Over one-third (34.2 percent) of adults living in America’s rural counties are obese, according to the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Obesity prevalence was significantly higher among adults in the nation’s...

New safety labeling changes for fluoroquinolone antibiotics, require these medications to carry stronger warnings about potential mental health side effects and the risk of serious blood sugar disturbances. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced measures to improve labeling consistency...

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has raised the price of more than 40 of its medications, including cholesterol-lowering medicine Lipitor (atorvastatin) and erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil). It is the second time the company has announced price increases this year, having raised the price...

Epidiolex (cannabidiol) is the first medication based on a purified drug substance, cannabidiol (CBD), derived from marijuana to gain approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug is indicated for patients aged two years and older with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet...

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has issued guidelines to help older adults reduce the risk of hyperthermia, or heat-related health conditions, during the hot summer months.  Seniors are particularly vulnerable to heat-related ailments, such as heat stroke, heat edema, heat cramps, heat...

Using a combination of statins and alirocumab to treat patients with diabetes and a history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may significantly reduce their risk of further cardiac events, according to the analysis of a recent clinical trial.  People with a history of ACS, which includes heart...