Regulatory and Washington

NEW YORK — A new law in Maine will allow consumers to purchase drugs by mail order from some pharmacies overseas, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the law, a first, had sparked lawsuits from drug companies, who say the law will threaten patient safety by opening the U.S. supply chain to counterfeit and adulterated medications. Supporters of the law, including Republican Gov. Paul LePage, say drug makers are more concerned about losing money from the law.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for hot flashes and the prevention of osteoporosis, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Duavee (conjugated estrogens; bazedoxifene), made by Pfizer. The drug is for women who suffer from moderate to severe hot flashes associated with menopause, and is also designed to prevent osteoporosis after menopause.

PLAINSBORO, N.J. — More than half of prescribers are writing prescriptions electronically, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — A Republican congressman from Alabama has proposed a stopgap bill that would fund the Food and Drug Administration through the middle of December or until the government shutdown ends, though it is unlikely to pass in the Senate.

NEW YORK — A trade group of generic drug makers is hoping that California's governor vetoes a bill that it says would restrict patients' access to biosimilars.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering free shopping passes to members of the U.S. military in response to the government shutdown, which has also resulted in the shutdown of commissaries on military bases.

The club retailer said military personnel could obtain a pass for Sam's Club locations near military bases by presenting a military identification or proof of past or present military service at Sam's Club Member Services counters.

NEW YORK — Next year, the share of brand-name drugs paid by Medicare Part D beneficiaries will drop to 47.5%. The share of generics will drop to 72%, according to a report published Monday in The Wall Street Journal.

NEW YORK — An analysis by the New York Times published over the weekend makes the case for generic drugs.

Times reporter Katie Thomas opened the analysis Saturday by recalling an episode of the Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," in which the prison saves money by switching inmates to generic drugs, much to their dismay. But that bit of artistic license on the part of the show's writers is evidence of the negative perceptions of generic drugs among the public.