U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News

April 5, 2023

OTC Narcan Nasal Spray Availability in Summer 2023

The FDA recently approved Narcan nasal spray for OTC nonprescription use, but pharmacists should not expect it to be available until late summer at the earliest. The manufacturer pointed out that manufacturing changes to produce nonprescription packaging as well as supply chain modifications are complex and time-consuming. Read more.

Coinfections Post-COVID-19 Shutdown Led to Pediatric Hepatitis Outbreak

It will come as no surprise to pharmacists that children who stayed at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic were very susceptible to viruses when they returned to school. Find out how a new study linked coinfections from multiple common viruses to a mysterious acute severe hepatitis outbreak that began approximately a year ago.

FDA Explains Changes in the Mifepristone REMS Program

The Mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program is under fire from a recent lawsuit filed by 12 state attorney generals. In mid-March, the FDA posted the history of that program and some explanation of changes over the years. Find out what is different for pharmacists now compared with previous versions and the FDA’s recent position clarifications.

Azurity Pharmaceuticals’ Konvomep Now FDA Approved

Azurity Pharmaceuticals recently announced that the FDA approved Konvomep (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate for oral suspension). Konvomep is approved for the treatment of active benign gastric ulcer and reduction of risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients. It is expected that Konvomep will become commercially available in pharmacies nationwide in the first quarter of 2023.