prescriptions

People with unneeded prescription medication can dispose of it on Saturday at collection sites across Florida under a program organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.

If you’re taking multiple meds, it’s smart to be aware of potential problems. One pill can lead to a side effect, leading to another pill and another side effect in what experts call a “prescribing cascade.”

Independent pharmacists say they're losing money on many prescriptions they fill. “It’s just a lot of different elements in the system all at once," says a pharmacy assistant professor at FAMU.

A study by the Rand Corp., a nonpartisan research organization, found that, across all drugs, U.S. prices were 2.78 times higher than the prices in 33 OECD countries. The gap was even larger for brand-name drugs.

Drugmakers offer copay assistance programs to patients, but insurers are tapping into those funds, not counting the amounts toward patient deductibles. That leads to unexpected charges. But the practice is under growing scrutiny.

Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, said the group has over 100 hospitals that directly contract with Change Healthcare, the target of the cyberattack.

As national distributors and pharmacies restricted the flow of painkillers in response to the opioid crisis, Florida’s most popular grocer did the opposite, according to a Tampa Bay Times data analysis.

HHS issued a summary about a Jan. 12 discussion between Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra and Canadian Health Minister Mark Holland.

The governors square off in a first-of-its-kind debate Thursday. Let's compare the political rivals’ health care positions, showing how their policies helped — or hinder— the health of their states’ residents.