Private insurance to pay for COVID pills; First pharmacy sales of medical marijuana; Heat death record in Arizona county - Morning Medical Update

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Private insurance to pay for COVID pills

COVID treatments are making the shift to private insurers staring Nov. 1, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Underinsured and uninsured individuals will be able to access Paxlovid for free through 2028. Providers will be able to return nearly expired Paxlovid packs for government credit towards Paxlovid in Medicare and Medicaid.

First pharmacy sales of medical marijuana

Robins Pharmacy in Georgia became the first to sell marijuana legally in the United States last Friday. “When they finally said independent pharmacies will be able to carry it, I filled out the license form immediately,” Dr. Ankit Patel, pharmacist at Robins Pharmacy, said in an interview. ““It’s great to be able to give them an alternative option than your normal traditional pharmaceuticals.”

Heat death record in Arizona county

Health officials in Maricopa County say there have been nearly 500 heat related deaths in 2023, making it the deadliest year on record for excessive temperatures. In the United States, extreme heat accounts for more deaths than any other weather event, according to the National Weather Service. Rates are expected to rise in the coming years.