|Articles|November 2, 2018

Trending News Today: First-Ever FDA-Approved Cannabidiol Treatment Now Available

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

Epidiolex, the first cannabis-derived medication approved by the FDA, is now available by prescription in every state, The Hill reported. According to the article, Epidiolex is indicated to treat seizures associated with 2 rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients 2 years and older. The treatment was approved by the FDA in June and classified by the DEA as a Schedule V substance, the least restrictive schedule of a controlled substance, the article reported.

An advisory panel to the FDA voted against approving ALKS 5461, Alkermes’ depression treatment, for patients with an inadequate response to standard antidepressant therapies, Reuters reported. According to the article, FDA staff reviewers raised concerns about abuse potential for the opioid-based treatment and questioned its efficacy prior to the decision. The panel voted 21-2 against the drug, saying the data did not support a favorable benefit-risk profile, the article reported.

A new Congressional report indicates that several factors, such as the rebate system, lead to artificially high prices for insulin products, as well as limited competition in the market, The Hill reported. According to the article, co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Colo) and Tom Reed (R-NY), recommended a legislative response to the rising prices of insulin that focus on generating more competition and creating pricing transparency. Specifically, they recommended reforming the rebate system by introducing legislation requiring wholesalers to use standardized fees instead of rebates based on list prices, as well as requiring drug plans in federal health programs to disclose how much money they receive from rebates, the article reported.

Stay informed on drug updates, treatment guidelines, and pharmacy practice trends—subscribe to Pharmacy Times for weekly clinical insights.

Subscribe Now!

Effectively Managing Immunizations in the Long-Term Care Setting
September 18th 2025
Creating a Culture of Quality in Fast-Melt Tablet Development
September 18th 2025
Elranatamab Plus Daratumumab and Lenalidomide Yields Durable Responses, Manageable Safety
September 18th 2025
Triazole Antifungal Therapy: The Clinical Utilization of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
September 18th 2025
High Glucose Levels Associated With Worse Outcomes After Acute Myocardial Infarction
September 18th 2025
Advise Patients About Self-Care Measures to Treat Mild to Moderate GI Issues
September 18th 2025

Latest CME

Activity

Practicum��Creating SMP-Advisorship Habits

Activity

Session 8: Immuno-Oncology

Activity

Changes in Cancer Care: Practicing in the Era of COVID-19

Activity

Changes in Cancer Care: Practicing in the Era of COVID-19 (Pharmacist Credit)

Activity

Optimizing Care in Metastatic Breast Cancer With HER2-Directed Therapy (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

$Multiple Myeloma: Exploring the Rapidly Evolving Treatment Landscape for Relapsed or Refractory Disease (Pharmacist Credit)$

Activity

Multiple Myeloma: Exploring the Rapidly Evolving Treatment Landscape for Relapsed or Refractory Disease (Pharmacist Credit)

Activity

Biosimilars: Turning a Corner Into the Future

Activity

Lowering LDL Cholesterol With Nonstatin Treatments (Decision Sim Test Flow 1)

Live Credit Evaluation

Preparing Pharmacists for the New and Emerging Treatment Landscape of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia techs

Live Credit Evaluation

Optimizing Care for Patients on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Targeted Combinations (Pharmacist Credit)

Live Credit Evaluation

Overcoming Cancer Care Disparities: Opportunities for Health Care Providers (Technician Credit)

Live Credit Evaluation

Preparing Pharmacists for the New and Emerging Treatment Landscape of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (Pharmacist Credit - Virtual)

1 Credit

Live Credit Evaluation

Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prevention and Treatment: Defining the Role of the Health-System Pharmacist

December 8, 2021 | 6:00 pm ET

Live Credit Evaluation

Caring for Patients With Endometrial Cancer Through the Management of Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies and Adverse Effects of Targeted Therapy

December 8, 2021 | 1:00 pm ET

Live Credit Evaluation

Optimizing Patient Care in Follicular and Marginal Zone Lymphomas Through Pharmacist Interventions

December 8, 2021 | 1:00 pm ET

Trending News Today: First-Ever FDA-Approved Cannabidiol Treatment Now Available

Newsletter

Related Articles

Latest CME

Practicum��������Creating SMP-Advisorship Habits

Session 8: Immuno-Oncology

Changes in Cancer Care: Practicing in the Era of COVID-19

Changes in Cancer Care: Practicing in the Era of COVID-19 (Pharmacist Credit)

Optimizing Care in Metastatic Breast Cancer With HER2-Directed Therapy (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Multiple Myeloma: Exploring the Rapidly Evolving Treatment Landscape for Relapsed or Refractory Disease (Pharmacist Credit)

Biosimilars: Turning a Corner Into the Future

Lowering LDL Cholesterol With Nonstatin Treatments (Decision Sim Test Flow 1)

Preparing Pharmacists for the New and Emerging Treatment Landscape of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia techs

Optimizing Care for Patients on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Targeted Combinations (Pharmacist Credit)

Overcoming Cancer Care Disparities: Opportunities for Health Care Providers (Technician Credit)

Preparing Pharmacists for the New and Emerging Treatment Landscape of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (Pharmacist Credit - Virtual)

Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prevention and Treatment: Defining the Role of the Health-System Pharmacist

Caring for Patients With Endometrial Cancer Through the Management of Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies and Adverse Effects of Targeted Therapy

Optimizing Patient Care in Follicular and Marginal Zone Lymphomas Through Pharmacist Interventions

Eval Test Program

New and Emerging Oral Oncolytics and the Role of the Oncology Team in Optimizing Patient Outcomes (Technician Credit)

Evolving Treatment Strategies for Adjuvant and Metastatic Melanoma: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care (Technician Credit)

Exploring the Advancements of Evidence-Based Testing and Treatment Strategies in CLL (Technician Credit)

Exploring Strategies for Treating Solid Tumors With PARP Inhibitors (Technician Credit)

Exploring Strategies for Treating Solid Tumors With PARP Inhibitors (Pharmacist Credit)

Locally Advanced and Metastatic Bladder Cancer: Transforming the Treatment Paradigm (Technician Credit)

Exploring the GOLD Report Updates and the Value of Patient-Centered Strategies for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Opportunities to Reduce Health Burdens and Improve Adherence and Clinical Outcomes (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Desmoid Tumors: What Managed Care Professionals Need to Know to Manage These Unpredictable Tumors, featuring a Pharmacy Focus Podcast

Challenges in Treatment of Desmoid Tumors and Managed Care Solutions

The Role of Daily Photoprotection and Antioxidants in Sun Protection: A Guide for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians (Pharmacy Technician)

Driving Better Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Managed Care Imperative

Advancing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment in the Community: Practical Updates and Clinical Pearls for Oncology Pharmacists

The Expanding Therapeutic Landscape in IgA Nephropathy: Applying Evidence-Based Strategies and Guideline Updates for Managed Care

Directions in Pharmacy® 2025: Southeast

Reducing Barriers in Integrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring Use, Featuring Patient Counseling Video Vignettes (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Managing Iron Replacement Therapies for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Recent Developments in the Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Elevating Cardiac Care: Insights From Pharmacists Across Practice Settings

The Evolving Treatment Paradigm for the Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Strategies to Optimize Care

Navigating the HIV Treatment Frontier: Equipping Managed Care Professionals With Strategies for Innovation, Access, and Adherence

Treatment Decision-Making for Complex Patients With HIV: Drug Resistance, Adverse Effects, Comorbidities and Polypharmacy, and Overcoming Barriers to Equitable Care

Exploring ATTR Phenotypes and Identifying Appropriate Opportunities for Pharmacists to Intervene

Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment Considerations in Women’s Health

The Changing Paradigm in Pain Management and Supporting Access to Novel Therapies

Reducing Endocrinopathies of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Management Strategies for Oncology Pharmacists

Adapting to Advances in EGFR-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment: Critical Insights for Oncology Pharmacists

Psychiatry Day of Education 2025

Immunology Specialty Pharmacy Day of Education 2025

Shaping the Future of Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Management: A Focus on Novel Treatment Approaches

Innovations in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment: Navigating the Evolving Landscape for Managed Care Professionals

Optimizing Outcomes in Myasthenia Gravis: Therapeutic Advances and Value-Based Care Models

Overcoming Disparities in Multiple Myeloma Treatment: Empowering Pharmacists to Drive Change

Navigating Treatment Evolution in Myelofibrosis: Oncology Pharmacist's Strategies for JAK Inhibitor Optimization

Navigating Novel Therapies in Steroid-Refractory cGVHD: Practical Strategies for Community-Based Oncology Pharmacists

BURST Expert Illustrations and Commentaries™: Exploring the Mechanistic Rationale for CSF-1R– Directed Treatment in Chronic GVHD

From Strict Avoidance to Tailored Therapies: Transforming Food Allergy Care

The Evolving Strategies for Managing nAMD and DME: Empowering Managed Care Decisions for Improved Patient Outcomes

The Essential Role of Pharmacists in Improving Influenza Vaccination Coverage: Strategies to Increase Vaccine Uptake and Optimally Utilize Available Vaccines

The Role of Pharmacists in Pneumococcal Prevention: Strategies to Improve Vaccine Uptake

Collaborating Across the Continuum™: Identifying and Preventing Hepatic Encephalopathy in Long-Term Care Settings

The Latest Updates and Pharmacist Perspectives on RET Inhibitors in Non‒Small Cell Lung Cancer

Balancing the Burden of Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Patients: Navigating the Use of Targeted Biologic Therapies and Caregiver Challenges

Glucagon for Diabetes: Overcoming Barriers for Optimal Management in the Long-Term Care Setting

Insights in Influenza Immunization: The Long-Term Care Pharmacist’s Role in Improving Health Outcomes in At-Risk Populations and Vaccine Uptake

Managing Schizophrenia: Evidence-Based Care and Optimizing Value of New and Emerging Therapies

Transforming Small Cell Lung Cancer Management With DLL3-Targeted Therapies

Cytokine Release Syndrome With Bispecific Antibodies: A Pharmacist's Guide to Safe Management

Enhancing Endometrial Cancer Management: Highlights of Molecular Insights, Treatment Approaches, and Toxicity Management

Closing Gaps in CLL Care: Managed Care Insights and Strategies

Enhancing Safety in Cancer Care: Expert Guidance on Toxicity Management of HER2, TROP2, and HER3-Targeted Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Exploring the Role of Glucagon Like Peptide Receptor 1 Agonists (GLP-1RA) in the Treatment of Obesity (Pharmacist Credit)

A Pharmacist's Guide to the Safe and Effective Management of BTK and BCL-2 inhibitors in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Charting the Course: The Pharmacist's Role in Safeguarding Patients From Immune-Related Adverse Events

Patient Safety and Reporting Errors: A Guide for Pharmacists and Technicians (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Patient Safety and Reporting Errors: A Guide for Pharmacists and Technicians

Advancements in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy: Integrating Clinical Evidence to Fill Gaps in Care

Overview and Burden of Migraine

The Evolving Treatment Landscape of Migraine

Mastering Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Cutting-Edge Therapies for Better Outcomes

The Impact and Role of Pharmacists in the Management of Specialty Therapies

Practicum��Creating SMP-Advisorship Habits