The Justice Department has initiated a civil lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance, accusing the pharmacy chain of knowingly filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions for controlled substances, in breach of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that Walgreens also sought reimbursement from federal health care programs under the False Claims Act (FCA), thereby contributing to the opioid crisis. From August 2012 onward, Walgreens reportedly filled dubious prescriptions, including excessive opioids and early refills, while pressuring pharmacists to proceed despite signs of illegality and providing insufficient information to help them flag problematic prescribing patterns.

Justice Department Sues Walgreens for Role in Opioid Crisis Justice Department

Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, will complete his four-year term on January 20, 2025. His leadership has focused on aligning health technology strategies with contemporary healthcare demands while managing the challenges in health information technology. Additionally, the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) has played a crucial role in advancing interoperability standards and leveraging artificial intelligence in healthcare. A recent milestone is the commitment from six health IT vendors to the USCDI Cancer data elements, a move aimed at enhancing cancer care through improved electronic health data utilization, as announced by the White House in March 2024.

Micky Tripathi's Leadership Transforms Health IT Ahead of Departure HealthIT.gov

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis has successfully implemented a telemedicine program to address the shortage of behavioral health providers in Missouri, where only 200 out of 1,000 licensed psychiatrists are available for a population of 6 million. Partnering with Iris Telehealth, the hospital started with one full-time psychiatrist to adapt processes for pediatric patients while ensuring telepsychiatrists were licensed across multiple states. This integration into the existing Epic EHR system improved communication and care continuity. The program has significantly increased psychiatric activity volume, enhancing patient access, with new patient appointments scheduled within 14 days rising from 14% to over 60%.

Telemedicine Transforms Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cardinal Glennon Hospital Healthcare IT News

Contaminated drinking water is becoming a pressing issue in cities post-wildfires, particularly in Los Angeles, where utilities have issued "Do Not Drink" advisories due to the infiltration of toxic chemicals from fires. Pasadena Water and Power issued a rare advisory after testing indicated potential contamination, which was later mostly lifted. Experts highlight that wildfires can damage infrastructure, allowing ash, smoke, and soot to enter water systems, especially when system pressure is compromised by high water demand or power outages. The health risks from such contamination can vary, including temporary symptoms and long-term consequences like cancer.

Wildfires Contaminate Drinking Water, Prompting Urgent Safety Alerts MedPage Today

The Justice Department has initiated a civil lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance, accusing the pharmacy chain of knowingly filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions for controlled substances, in breach of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that Walgreens also sought reimbursement from federal health care programs under the False Claims Act (FCA), thereby contributing to the opioid crisis. From August 2012 onward, Walgreens reportedly filled dubious prescriptions, including excessive opioids and early refills, while pressuring pharmacists to proceed despite signs of illegality and providing insufficient information to help them flag problematic prescribing patterns.

Justice Department Sues Walgreens for Role in Opioid Crisis Justice Department

Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, will complete his four-year term on January 20, 2025. His leadership has focused on aligning health technology strategies with contemporary healthcare demands while managing the challenges in health information technology. Additionally, the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) has played a crucial role in advancing interoperability standards and leveraging artificial intelligence in healthcare. A recent milestone is the commitment from six health IT vendors to the USCDI Cancer data elements, a move aimed at enhancing cancer care through improved electronic health data utilization, as announced by the White House in March 2024.

Micky Tripathi's Leadership Transforms Health IT Ahead of Departure HealthIT.gov

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis has successfully implemented a telemedicine program to address the shortage of behavioral health providers in Missouri, where only 200 out of 1,000 licensed psychiatrists are available for a population of 6 million. Partnering with Iris Telehealth, the hospital started with one full-time psychiatrist to adapt processes for pediatric patients while ensuring telepsychiatrists were licensed across multiple states. This integration into the existing Epic EHR system improved communication and care continuity. The program has significantly increased psychiatric activity volume, enhancing patient access, with new patient appointments scheduled within 14 days rising from 14% to over 60%.

Telemedicine Transforms Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cardinal Glennon Hospital Healthcare IT News

Contaminated drinking water is becoming a pressing issue in cities post-wildfires, particularly in Los Angeles, where utilities have issued "Do Not Drink" advisories due to the infiltration of toxic chemicals from fires. Pasadena Water and Power issued a rare advisory after testing indicated potential contamination, which was later mostly lifted. Experts highlight that wildfires can damage infrastructure, allowing ash, smoke, and soot to enter water systems, especially when system pressure is compromised by high water demand or power outages. The health risks from such contamination can vary, including temporary symptoms and long-term consequences like cancer.

Wildfires Contaminate Drinking Water, Prompting Urgent Safety Alerts MedPage Today