And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. We have a rather busy agenda planned. A family gathering is in store and then we plan to check in on the Pharmalot ancestors. We may even catch up on our reading. And what about you? Now that autumn is here, you can find the nearest orchard and pick some apples, or take a long drive in the country. Maybe you could winterize your castle or stock up on sweaters. You could also place bets on the outcome of the latest to-do in Washington, which is quite fascinating, yes? Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you next Wednesday, since we will take a break early next week to observe ancient traditions …
The U.S. judge overseeing nationwide opioid litigation rejected a request by several big pharmacy chains and drug distributors to disqualify himself because he appeared to be biased against them and pressed too hard for a costly settlement, Reuters writes. Calling the opioid crisis “one of the greatest tragedies of our time,” U.S. District Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland admitted he had been “very active” in encouraging a settlement, but said he was “confident that no reasonable person can legitimately question my impartiality.”
Despite state laws expanding access to the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone without a prescription, a new study suggests that many pharmacies don’t stock the drug or dispense it to young people who need it, Reuters notes. In the 10 U.S. states with the most opioid overdose deaths in 2016, roughly four in five drugstores stocked naloxone, a survey of 120 pharmacists found. But nearly half of these pharmacists incorrectly thought that they could dispense the treatment only to adults.
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