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Gabapentin use has increased drastically in the United States in recent years, especially among women and older adults. The use of GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) has also increased, but affordability and accessibility have become more complex due to higher out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends universal screening for cannabis use during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, warning against its adverse effects on pregnancies.
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Sharp Rise in Gabapentin Use in America Despite Associated Risks
Researchers have noted a marked uptick in the use of anticonvulsant medication Gabapentin in the United States, especially amongst women and older adults. Originally intended to treat seizures, Gabapentin gained widespread off-label use popularity in recent years.
Latest data from CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control report shows community pharmacies dispensed 177.6 gabapentin prescriptions per 1,000 people in 2024, a significant increase from the 79.5 per 1,000 people in 2010. The growing popularity of Gabapentin has seen it rise to the fifth most prescribed medication in the country from the 10th in 2017.
Authors in the Annals of Internal Medicine noted that primary care physicians are the leading prescribers of Gabapentin with advanced practitioners following closely, potentially due to expanded prescribing authority in several states. They urged healthcare providers to remain vigilant about common adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, blurry or double vision, inability to concentrate, coordination issues, and severe respiratory problems in patients with respiratory risk factors.
Increased Out-Of-Pocket Costs for GLP-1s Under Part D
A policy change in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that took effect this year has complicated efforts to ensure accessibility and affordability of popular GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Under the new IRA guidelines, out-of-pocket spending is now capped at $2,000 under Medicare Part D. This development might have led some health plans to increase cost-sharing for high-cost drugs, including GLP-1s, while tightening their coverage, according to a research letter published in JAMA on 24th September 2025.
Analysts noted a trend towards more prior authorizations, which might be aimed at deterring off-label use of GLP-1s. They also observed an increase in out-of-pocket costs due to increased use of coinsurance on high-cost medications. The researchers wrote, “Part D beneficiaries increasingly face prior authorization and higher [out-of-pocket] costs to access GLP-1RAs.”
ACOG Endorses Universal Screening for Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidance to recommend universal screening for cannabis use during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum periods.
The latest guidance document, “Clinical Consensus: Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation,” provides evidence-based guidelines for counseling, screening, and strategies to reduce cannabis use in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and during lactation periods. ACOG warned that growing social acceptance and legal access to cannabis have led to a false public perception of its safety during pregnancy. They further cautioned of adverse effects linked to cannabis use during pregnancy, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and postnatal neurocognitive and behavioral dysfunction.
Low Retail Sales for Over-The-Counter Naloxone
Despite being available over-the-counter (OTC) since September 2023, naloxone has recorded low retail sales, according to a study by the Rand Corp. In the first year of OTC availability, biweekly sales peaked in the first month, then dropped and remained steady through September 2014.
Research data shows that states averaged 396 OTC units per million residents during the 12-month study period compared with 7,063 pharmacy-dispensed units per million residents in 2023 and 12,015 program-distributed units per million residents from August 2022 through August 2024.
North Carolina Pharmacists Get Green Light to Test and Treat Flu
Pharmacists in North Carolina have been authorized to test and treat for influenza beginning October 1, 2025, following the announcement of standing orders by the state’s health director.
The standing orders, authorized under HB 67, empower pharmacists across the state to evaluate influenza symptoms in patients aged five and above, conduct point-of-care tests, begin treatment when indicated, and provide preventive treatment to high-risk individuals who have had significant influenza exposure in the past 48 hours.
“This action reduces barriers for people who are feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with the influenza virus,” said Dev Sangvai, MD, North Carolina’s Health and Human Services secretary. “Being able to get tested and immediately treated at a pharmacy increases access for people who do not have a regular provider and will help make communities healthier during the respiratory virus season.”
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