Trending News Today: Opioids Represent a Majority of Prescriptions in Some States

A recent analysis showed that opioids still account for a majority of prescriptions filled in 11 states, despite the concerns surrounding these drugs, according to Kaiser Health News. The results showed that Vicodin and Norco are popular in the South; however, the opioid misuse disorder treatment Suboxone is the top prescription in Tennessee, according to the article.

The recently-introduced government spending bill includes $3 billion in additional funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a move that is supported by both parties, according to The Hill. The increase brings total NIH funding to $37 billion. The organization plans to spend $414 million on Alzheimer disease research, $40 million on universal influenza vaccine research, and $140 million on brain research, according to the article.

Yesterday, the House passed a revised version of the “right-to-try” bill, which allows terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs, according to Politico. The legislation, passed by a vote of 267-149, follows a failed GOP attempt pass a similar version 1 week ago. The bill is now headed for a vote in the Senate, which passed a similar measure last summer, according to the article.