Maryland Changes Preferred Opioid Treatment But Critics Say New Drug Is Less Effective

The state's Medicaid program used to pay for Suboxone in dissolvable film for people addicted to opioids to help control cravings. But officials say they changed to Zubsolv tablets, because the strips were being smuggled into jails. Elsewhere, a Florida law allows pharmacists to sell Naloxone over the counter.

NPR: Maryland Switches Opioid Treatments, And Some Patients Cry Foul

Maryland Medicaid officials have made what appears to be a small change to the list of preferred medications to treat opioid addictions. The agency used to pay for the drug in a dissolvable film form. Now it's steering patients to tablets, which some doctors say are not as effective for their patients. Those doctors say the change is having a profound effect on some people struggling to stay clean. (Kodjak, 7/19)

Orlando Sentinel: New Florida Law Allows Pharmacists To Sell Overdose Antidote Without Prescription

Naloxone, an antidote that reverses the effect of an opioid overdose, became available this month at some Florida pharmacies without a prescription. A new state law allows pharmacists to dispense the medicine in the form of nasal spray or injection. Some pharmacies say they've either begun providing naloxone, or are making plans to do so. (Erickson, 7/20)

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