Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 1, 2018

Following the feds’ lead, Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday issued an emergency rule allowing a new drug for child epilepsy patients that contains CBD, a ‘non-euphoric’ chemical from cannabis. Bondi’s filing with the Secretary of State notes there are now about “64 patients in the state of Florida who are legally using an FDA-approved […]

Staff ReportsAugust 21, 2018

The Food and Drug Administration announced last week that it had approved the first generic EpiPen, and those saving cash on the lifesaving drug can thank U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis for the legislation that allowed regulators to inject some competition into the market. Bilirakis, a Tarpon Springs Republican, was able to get multiple provisions into […]

Associated PressJanuary 2, 2017

Minors won’t be able to buy some cough syrup brands over the counter as a new law to curb youth substance abuse took effect. The News-Journal reports Senate Bill 938 took effect Monday. It’s a measure prohibiting manufacturers, distributors and retailers from selling medicines containing dextromethorphan to those under 18, and requiring anyone who appears […]

William PatrickDecember 27, 2016

On the verge of being snuffed out by Obama administration regulators, Florida’s traditional and culturally distinct premium cigar industry has a chance at new life. Late last week, U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., the incoming chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, met with President-elect Donald Trump and submitted a list of 232 items that […]

Keith MorelliJune 14, 2016

An update offered by the Florida Department of Health on the approaching availability of medical marijuana was rife with technical and legal language, but really broke no new ground other than to further emphasize the strictness of rules and regulations regarding the use of pot by patients with various medical problems. The main thrust delivered […]

Associated PressMay 12, 2016

What are you more afraid of, the Zika virus, or a plan to kill the disease-carrying mosquitoes by releasing genetically engineered bugs in Florida? The public has until midnight Friday to weigh in. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will then decide whether the biotech firm Oxitec can release its lab-bred mosquitoes near Key West. […]

Phil AmmannMarch 23, 2016

Prescription drug abuse has affected the lives of teens and young adults in drastic ways. Kids are abusing and even becoming addicted to pills often found in the medicine cabinets at their own homes. Across the country, we are at risk of losing thousands of kids and young adults to drug overdoses from medically prescribed […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 5, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is vowing to continue the fight to stop the use of the botanical kratom, a plant-based product used as a homeopathic treatment that is beginning to concern authorities and healthcare professionals in Florida. PainMedicineNews.com reports that FDA officials recently seized 90,000 bottles of the dietary supplement manufactured under the […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 25, 2015

Prescription drug misuse has been identified as Florida’s “fastest-growing and deadliest public safety issue,” according to Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Prescription Drug Diversion and Abuse Roadmap. Prescription painkiller overdoses have more than tripled in the past two decades, killing more than 15,500 people in the United States in 2009 according to the CDC. On Saturday, […]

Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Florida legislators created a prescription drug program in 2009 to monitor controlled substances, which has helped reduce the number of Floridians who suffer from prescription drug addiction. Medications provide great benefit to patients when used correctly and under the guidance of their treating physician. Some opioid drugs, though, are crushed into powder or injected by […]

Tag: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Cannabis chronicles: Pam Bondi OKs new marijuana-based drug

Gus Bilirakis’ efforts paving the way for cheaper EpiPens

New law prohibits Florida minors from buying cough syrup

Under Donald Trump, Florida’s premium cigar industry could escape job-killing FDA regulations

Florida Health Department update on medical pot — long on jargon, short on new info

Tell the FDA what you fear more: Zika, or GMO mosquitoes?

Marcia Lee Taylor: Legislature passes bill to combat drug overdoses

FDA vows to crack down on kratom, seizes $400K shipment

Mary Elizabeth Elliott: Pilot project to make medication disposal safer, more effective

Sandi Frear: Why abuse-deterring opioids must be a priority this legislative session