Latest news with #Albuterol
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Donald Trump's Prescription Drugs Executive Order Explained
President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Monday morning that he says will dramatically lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. by tying them to the lowest price paid by any country in the world. The order, as described by Trump on Truth Social, is based on a "most favored nation" pricing model, a policy approach that his first administration previously tried and failed to implement following legal challenges. In the Truth Social post Sunday evening, Trump called the initiative "one of the most consequential Executive Orders in our Country's history," and said it would reduce drug prices "almost immediately, by 30% to 80%." The U.S., he said, would no longer pay more than "the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World." The executive order is aimed at a long-standing issue: Americans pay significantly more for prescription medications than consumers elsewhere. Prices for brand-name drugs in the U.S. are, on average, three times higher than those in other countries. At the same time, drugmakers often base their business strategies around the U.S. market, where they earn a majority of their global profits. The chart below shows the cost of ten popular prescription drugs in the U.S. and how prices compare to the cost in the U.K. The data is based on the generic cost of 90 tablet-packs sold in the U.S. with 84 tablet-packs sold in the U.K - and in the case of Albuterol, per inhaler. A number of drugs were more expensive in the U.K., including Lisinopril, used for treating high blood pressure, Metformin, used to treat type-2 diabetes, Metoprolol, used for high blood pressure and chest pain, and Losartan, another blood pressure and heart-related medication. However, as the U.K. has a public health service and caps the cost of many prescriptions to £9.90 (equivalent to $13.06), a large proportion of these prescription drugs are much cheaper than the graph shows. Trump framed the disparity in the price of prescription drugs between the U.S. and other countries as unfair to American consumers. "It was always difficult to explain and very embarrassing because, in fact, there was no correct or rightful answer," he wrote. "The 'suckers' of America, ALONE," have borne the costs, he said, referencing the pharmaceutical industry's justification of high prices based on research and development expenses. Trump did not specify which insurance programs would be affected or how many drugs would fall under the new policy. A similar attempt during his first term targeted 50 drugs under Medicare Part B, but a federal court blocked the rule on the grounds that the administration had bypassed necessary regulatory steps. Any new version is likely to face legal hurdles, especially without congressional action. The pharmaceutical industry opposes such pricing rules, warning they would cut into revenue and reduce incentives for new drug development. Democratic lawmakers have supported similar proposals, but Trump's version sets him apart from many Republicans, who are typically skeptical of government-imposed price controls. Alex Schriver, a spokesperson for PhRMA, the industry's top lobbying group, said in a statement: "Government price setting in any form is bad for American patients. Policymakers should focus on fixing the flaws in the U.S. system, not importing failed policies from abroad." The executive order does not itself change federal law, and any attempt to enforce the pricing policy is likely to be challenged in court. The order may also prompt a renewed debate in Congress, where legislative action would be required to make it permanent. Related Articles Donald Trump Touts Catholic Vote Amid Pope Leo Debate: 'By a Lot!'Putin Answers Zelensky's Ceasefire Proposal With Drone AttackMexican Official Says Visa Revoked by Trump AdministrationGlobal Stocks Climb After US-China Trade Announcement 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Prescription Drugs Executive Order Explained
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Monday morning that he says will dramatically lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. by tying them to the lowest price paid by any country in the world. The order, as described by Trump on Truth Social, is based on a "most favored nation" pricing model, a policy approach that his first administration previously tried and failed to implement following legal challenges. In the Truth Social post Sunday evening, Trump called the initiative "one of the most consequential Executive Orders in our Country's history," and said it would reduce drug prices "almost immediately, by 30% to 80%." The U.S., he said, would no longer pay more than "the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World." President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Washington. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP Why It Matters The executive order is aimed at a long-standing issue: Americans pay significantly more for prescription medications than consumers elsewhere. Prices for brand-name drugs in the U.S. are, on average, three times higher than those in other countries. At the same time, drugmakers often base their business strategies around the U.S. market, where they earn a majority of their global profits. The chart below shows the cost of ten popular prescription drugs in the U.S. and how prices compare to the cost in the U.K. The data is based on the generic cost of 90 tablet-packs sold in the U.S. with 84 tablet-packs sold in the U.K - and in the case of Albuterol, per inhaler. A number of drugs were more expensive in the U.K., including Lisinopril, used for treating high blood pressure, Metformin, used to treat type-2 diabetes, Metoprolol, used for high blood pressure and chest pain, and Losartan, another blood pressure and heart-related medication. However, as the U.K. has a public health service and caps the cost of many prescriptions to £9.90 (equivalent to $13.06), a large proportion of these prescription drugs are much cheaper than the graph shows. What To Know Trump framed the disparity in the price of prescription drugs between the U.S. and other countries as unfair to American consumers. "It was always difficult to explain and very embarrassing because, in fact, there was no correct or rightful answer," he wrote. "The 'suckers' of America, ALONE," have borne the costs, he said, referencing the pharmaceutical industry's justification of high prices based on research and development expenses. Trump did not specify which insurance programs would be affected or how many drugs would fall under the new policy. A similar attempt during his first term targeted 50 drugs under Medicare Part B, but a federal court blocked the rule on the grounds that the administration had bypassed necessary regulatory steps. Any new version is likely to face legal hurdles, especially without congressional action. The pharmaceutical industry opposes such pricing rules, warning they would cut into revenue and reduce incentives for new drug development. Democratic lawmakers have supported similar proposals, but Trump's version sets him apart from many Republicans, who are typically skeptical of government-imposed price controls. What People Are Saying Alex Schriver, a spokesperson for PhRMA, the industry's top lobbying group, said in a statement: "Government price setting in any form is bad for American patients. Policymakers should focus on fixing the flaws in the U.S. system, not importing failed policies from abroad." What Happens Next The executive order does not itself change federal law, and any attempt to enforce the pricing policy is likely to be challenged in court. The order may also prompt a renewed debate in Congress, where legislative action would be required to make it permanent.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NYPD reviewing $734K contract with horse veterinarian who has decades-long history of violations: ‘Not a criminal'
The NYPD is reviewing its $734,000 contract with a veterinarian overseeing the agency's mounted horse unit after his history of violating racehorse care rules surfaced, The Post has learned. Camilo Bravo Sierra, of Northport, New York, who has been a contract veterinarian with the Department of Health since 2019, was fined at least seven times and suspended twice while working as a horse racing veterinarian at Queens' Aqueduct Race Track, according to state data first reported by Gothamist. 'While there have been no complaints or problems with the care that our horses have received, we take any allegations of abuse very seriously, and we are reviewing the contract,' an NYPD rep told The Post. A rep for the DOH, which oversees the city's carriage horses and has a $3,000 horse veterinarian contract with Sierra until late 2026, declined to comment on 'personnel issues.' Sierra was awarded the massive NYPD contract last October to treat the city's fleet of roughly 50 horses for the next five years after the agency's longtime vet died in 2023, a source familiar with the matter said. In an interview with The Post last year, Sierra called his violations 'minor' and contended that he was only suspended from the racetrack grounds, and that his license itself was never suspended. A rep from the state gaming commission did not return a request for comment on the violations. 'If I had committed serious violations, my license would have been suspended, period,' said Sierra, who declined a phone interview this month. According to ruling documents, Sierra 'committed an improper, corrupt and fraud act' in 2017 at Aqueduct by submitting health certificates for horses he didn't evaluate, prescribing the now-banned drug Albuterol to a horse he hadn't treated and using a fictitious horse name on documents. Sierra was fined $4,500 and suspended for 21 days. Other violations issued to Sierra over the years include allegedly submitting health certificates for horses he didn't evaluate in 2016; breaking the gaming commission's rules regarding steroid drug use in horses in 2013; and failing to 'follow proper licensing requirements' in 2006. Separately, the New York State Board for Veterinary Medicine fined Sierra in 2020 for 'professional misconduct' for failing to sign a medical exam form, list medication he gave and provide information to support his treatment of a horse in Queens in 2016, records show. His veterinary license was ordered suspended for two years, though he was put on a probation instead, Gothamist reported. The doctor, who has been licensed in the state since 1992, has a troubled past aside from the state-level volitions, animal activists say. Sierra performed the autopsy for carriage horse Aysha who collapsed while working and was euthanized in February 2020 after suffering from a treatable genetic disease. Sierra's autopsy contended the horse was 'in good condition' and showed 'no injuries consistent with abuse or mishandling,' despite online videos depicting carriage drivers pushing and dragging the mare directly following its collapse. Medical records also show Aysha was given a clean health exam from another vet in October 2019, but the mare would have had symptoms for a while that went ignored, according to Edita Birnkrant, executive director of animal advocacy group NYCLASS. 'The reason there was no animal cruelty investigation into Aysha's death, and the mishandling that led up to her death, was because Camilo Sierra was the only vet to do the autopsy and declare that there was absolutely no wrongdoing on anyone's part,' Birnkrant told The Post. Sierra has also treated sloths owned by Larry Wallach, documents show, whose Long Island-based Sloth Encounters was shuttered last year amid animal abuse allegations. 'If somebody calls me to care for an animal I don't ask if they went to jail or if they have a criminal record or speeding tickets,' Sierra said. 'That's none of my business.' Sierra added he is 'not a criminal.' 'I have saved countless horses' lives over the years,' he said. 'I have an excellent reputation as a large animal vet.'
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
$3.3 million awarded to family of man who overdosed on fentanyl at Orange County jail
A jury awarded $3.3 million to the family of a man who overdosed on fentanyl in an Orange County jail in 2022 on Tuesday. The Orange County Sheriff's Department stated that Joshua James Campos was found unresponsive in his cell at the Theo Lacy Facility in the city of Orange on Mar. 7, 2022. He had been booked into the jail three days prior on a solicitation charge, OCSD said. The Orange County District Attorney's office noted that Campos had been arrested multiple times before over the years for various different charges. A death report issued by the OCDA in November 2023 states that during his receiving screening at the jail on Mar. 4, Campos reported being prescribed several different medications – including Albuterol, Depakote, Haldol, Visteril and Zyprexa – and that he also had asthma. He denied the use of alcohol or illegal street drugs like heroin or opiates. 'Campos also reported that he was diagnosed with 'schizo' and admitted hearing voices or seeing things others do not hear or see,' the death report reads. 'He also reported having past suicidal ideations and suicide attempts but denied having suicidal ideations [at the time].' Popular rock band's lead singer arrested in Torrance: reports On the evening he was booked, Campos was prescribed 30 mg of Zyprexa by an Orange County Health Care Agency physician that was to be taken daily. The physician also recommended daily observation of Campos and follow-up should continue. 'The doctor documented that Campos had reported approximately ten psychiatric hospitalizations and diagnosed him with schizoaffective disorder, unspecified and stimulant dependence,' the death report continued. 'Campos was placed in the male triage loop for observation.' The following day, however, Campos was listed as 'cleared' on an OCSD Inmate Health and Mobility Notification Form, and after showing compliance with medications, orientation to place and time and appropriate speech, observation was discontinued, and he was placed in regular housing. 'He denied having any suicidal thoughts or ideations, or hallucinations,' OCDA said. 'OCHCA recommended that observation be discontinued and cleared Campos for regular housing.' On the morning of Mar. 6, Campos refused to take his prescribed medication, stating 'I don't know what you're talking about,' while also refusing to sign a release of liability for refusing treatment against medical advice. However, Campos was said to have taken his prescribed Zyprexa the following evening, Mar. 7, which is the night he died. Colombian national pleads guilty in Beverly Hills armed robbery; theft group possessed gun belonging to murderous ex-LAPD officer 'At approximately 9:15 p.m., Campos and John Doe 1 [his cellmate] could be seen together in their cell on jail surveillance,' officials said. 'John Doe 1 appeared to manipulate an unknown object or substance on top of one of the two metal stools attached to a table in the cell. At that time, Campos was standing and moving around the cell.' Two minutes later, Campos 'bent forward at the waist, lowered his head toward the metal stool and appeared to snort something' before abruptly standing upright. Just under an hour later, at 10:03 p.m., a deputy performing a safety check noted nothing unusual in the cell and recalled seeing Campos lying on his bunk and appeared to be breathing. Jail surveillance footage captured the two cellmates rising from their bunks and moving towards the cell's metal table just one minute later. Campos was observed sitting at the table while John Doe 1 sat on the floor, according to the DA's office. Suspect wanted for parole violation crashes after pursuit in Los Angeles 'At approximately 10:07:29 p.m., Campos rose from his seat and moved to the east stool, where John Doe 1 had just snorted what he subsequently told OCDA investigators was Subutex,' officials said. Subutex is used to treat addiction to narcotic pain relievers. 'At approximately 10:07:38 p.m., Campos bent forward at the waist, lowered his head toward the east stool and appeared to snort something again,' officials continued. 'He then abruptly stood upright, turned toward John Doe 1 – who was still seated on the floor – and handed him something. John Doe 1 then scooted back toward the stool and duplicated the motions consistent with snorting something.' After this, Campos was said to have put his shirt back on and laid down on his top bunk; his cellmate was observed appearing to check on him around 10:20 p.m. and appeared to shake him without any response for several minutes. The cellmate then attempted chest compressions, and once that failed, he pushed the in-cell emergency button to alert deputies that he needed assistance around 10:31 p.m. Multiple deputies rushed to the cell and carried Campos out so they could have more room to provide medical aid. Campos was given multiple doses of Narcan while deputies performed chest compressions. Paramedics were requested at 10:32 p.m., and they arrived four minutes later; according to the OCDA, there was an elevator outage that caused a delay in their arrival. More life-saving measures were performed, including the use of an automated external defibrillator, but Campos' condition remained unchanged. He was transported to UCI Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 11:09 p.m. Driver in fatal pursuit crash has 'history of fleeing from law enforcement,' causing crashes, police say An autopsy was conducted on Mar. 18 that revealed no major issues on Campos' body other than minor injuries consistent with someone scratching themselves. He was found to have several natural diseases and pre-existing conditions, but his official cause of death was listed as acute fentanyl intoxication, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. The Orange County DA's office concluded their death report with the finding that there was 'no evidence to support a finding that any OCSD personnel or any individual under the supervision of OCSD failed to perform a legal duty causing the death of Campos.' Campos' family and attorney, however, believes that he should have never been put in the general population at the jail due to his mental health history and what staff already knew about him from previous run-ins with the law. 'Somebody says [Joshua was] gravely ill, suicidal and hearing things, and then two days later, they reevaluate him and say he's fine?' Jay Campos, Joshua's father, said at a press conference on Tuesday. 'Mental illness doesn't work like that… [Putting him] in the general population was the big mistake that led to my son's death.' Southern California teen's e-bike stunt for police backfires The family's attorney, Christian Contreras, said that the jury's verdict indicates deputies are ill-equipped to handle situations like Joshua's. 'The jury has spoken, and they said these folks aren't adequately trained to deal with these types of individuals, and I agree,' he said. 'We should equip law enforcement, jail staff and medical professionals in the jails to ensure they are adequately trained to deal with people like Joshua, so that this doesn't happen again.' Orange County officials declined to comment on the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sacramento doctor: Not every child will beat the odds if we don't take bird flu seriously
For staff, it was another, typical winter day in the hospital: Child after child was coming into the emergency room with a cough, congestion or runny nose. Most had a viral upper respiratory infection and are sent home on supportive care. But one girl, 10-years-old, stood out. She didn't get the influenza vaccine this year and caught the seasonal flu. She had underlying asthma and was struggling to breathe. As a pediatrician, I explained to her worried parents that their daughter needed continuous airway pressure because her Albuterol treatment was not opening her airways fast enough. Unfortunately, even these interventions didn't work, and the girl was intubated, an oxygen tube inserted down her throat, which is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. Opinion This girl's situation is occurring at hospitals around the country right now. One thing this year, however, is different: Pediatricians find ourselves at a crossroads because bird flu has been spreading, and if a person becomes infected with both seasonal flu and avian flu, we'll be at serious risk of a new pandemic. Influenza's ability to shape-shift and reassort its genes with its viral cousins makes it easier for variants to emerge compared to other viruses. As of now, bird flu cannot easily infect humans, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk to the public is low. However, if a person were to be infected with both seasonal and bird flu, it only takes one reassortment event to make a new type of flu that can spread easily among humans because there will be no immunity to stop it. The alarm bells are ringing. Since January of 2022, nearly 150 million poultry have been affected by bird flu, and 67 people have contracted the disease in the United States, with one death. Of these 67 people, one was a child with mild sickness, but a critical case in a Canadian child has also been reported. Most cases involve direct exposure with infected dairy cattle and poultry, but most concerningly, a few cases involve no known cattle exposures, suggesting that they may have been infected by person-to-person transmission. Recently, the CDC has advised doctors to test for bird flu among hospitalized patients suspected of having a respiratory virus to increase surveillance of this new strain. While this surveillance continues, the guardrails to defend against its pandemic potential have been weakened. President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), a supranational institution meant to create communication lines between nations and prevent or mitigate outbreaks. Our withdrawal means the U.S. will no longer set the public health agenda at the WHO, and our absence will create a power vacuum — leaving the U.S. and the world at risk of outbreaks from bird flu or other infectious diseases. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy has found a seat at the table in the new administration with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as head of Health and Human Services, making one of our best lines of defense obsolete should a larger outbreak occur. Thus far, the State of California and one county in Colorado have declared bird flu emergencies, which have mobilized the resources needed to protect the vulnerable. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations have released statements in favor of remaining in the WHO. We also need to communicate to our lawmakers the urgent need to devote resources to test for and detect bird flu, part of which involves remaining in the WHO and preventing further pauses or cuts in federal aid to scientific research. And we, as doctors, need to have uncomfortable conversations surrounding vaccine hesitancy with some of our patients and their parents. Some of the efforts taken to control the virus in California may be paying off, as noted by the decrease in case counts among farm animals in Tulare County over the past two months. However, a different variant of bird flu was recently found in a Nevada dairy farm on January 31. Disturbingly, this variant is suspected to cause more severe disease in humans than the original strain that has been spreading among dairy farms. Furthermore, we know that we are not adequately testing for bird flu in the Central Valley's wastewater — right where Tulare County sits. This means we may have more cases unaccounted for, or worse: circulation of an unknown variant. Though the 10-year-old girl I saw in the emergency room improved after several days of treatment, she and her family will forever carry the trauma of the experience with seasonal influenza. Even if we ignore the physical and mental disabilities associated with severe infection, not every child will beat the odds if we fail to take bird flu seriously. Jeremy Sanchez, MD, MPH, is a pediatric resident in Sacramento.
