Trending News Today: NYC Bans Cigarette Sales in Pharmacies

Federal Judge Rudolph Contreras blocked the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicare’s 340B Drug Pricing Program, the Associated Press reported. According to the article, Judge Contreras ruled that the administration illegally reduced Medicare payments to hospitals through the program by 30% through the rule change that went into effect in January. The judge determined the rule went against Congress’ intent when it approved the program, the article noted.

New York City pharmacies and businesses that contain pharmacies are no longer allowed to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to the article, the city’s health department said the change will affect 500 pharmacies currently selling tobacco products. The new rule, which went into effect on Tuesday, follows the ban on electronic cigarette sales at pharmacies that was enacted in August, the article said.

A recent study found that physicians continue to prescribe supplemental testosterone off-label to men with cardiovascular disease, despite warnings that it may raise the risk of stroke and heart attack, Reuters reported. According to the article, the researchers examined a large random sample of Medicare fee-for-service data, looking separately at testosterone prescriptions for approved conditions and those that were off-label. The study showed that testosterone use was consistently higher among men with heart disease compared to those without it, the article reported.