Federal health officials have proposed loosening a ban on mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or MGPI, a potent opioid compound found in some kratom products, to allow the substance at certain levels, The New York Times reported Oct. 28. HHS Secretary Robert F.…
Government & Regulation
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly favors Stanford (Calif.) University psychiatrist Shebani Sethi, MD, PhD, to lead the National Institute of Mental Health, bypassing a candidate recommended by National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, Science reported…
Optum is asking a Baltimore court to throw out Maryland’s $380 million fraud lawsuit over a failed Medicaid behavioral health claims system, calling the state’s allegations “a story that it knows is untrue.” In its Oct. 19 motion to dismiss,…
The FDA has taken a string of actions in recent months that could reshape how substance use disorders, ADHD and other behavioral health conditions are treated in the years ahead. From clearing a novel alcohol use disorder drug for trials…
HHS recommended new limits Oct. 9 to determine which kratom products fall under federal opioid controls. The goal is to separate the natural plant from products artificially boosted with potent opioid compounds, including 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI). In…
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Three senators are calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration and FDA to pursue broader federal restrictions on kratom, including permanently scheduling the entire plant and its derivatives under the Controlled Substances Act. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Mike Lee, R-Utah; and…
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas and the Drug Enforcement Administration San Antonio Field Division established the Overdose Task Force, which is focused on overdose investigations in the San Antonio metropolitan area. The Overdose Task Force…
Several states are advancing behavioral health policy changes, from syringe service program restrictions in Indiana to Medicaid reimbursement debates in Maryland and workforce reforms in Oregon. Here are 28 updates to know: 1. California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, a measure that would have barred AI algorithms from offering or advertising therapy in the state. According to an Oct. 1 news release from state Sen. Steve Padilla, the bill would have:…
HHS’ Office for Civil Rights issued guidance Sept. 30 on how state Medicaid agencies may use substance use disorder patient records protected under 42 CFR part 2 to verify exclusions from the Medicaid community engagement requirement. Federal law generally requires…