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Pennsylvania Poison Centers are seeing increased call volume related to both kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) consumption. These products lack clinical safety data and put consumers at risk of significant harm, including toxicity and developing dependence.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Penn State’s Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research recently held a webinar titled Rewriting the Story: Talking About Substance Use Disorder With Care.

In March of 2025 we received a near 11th hour reprieve in the form of H.R. 1968 (2025) that provided the extension of telehealth flexibilities through September 30th, 2025. Many of us had hoped for a similar reprieve this time around, but, unfortunately, that has not come to pass as no additional legislation addressing telehealth was passed prior to the government shutdown.

During the shutdown, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expects slowdowns or suspensions of the following agency activities: (1) health care facility survey and certification, (2) policy development and rulemaking, (3) contract oversight, (4) outreach and education, and (5) beneficiary casework. CMS retains 53% of its staff to continue essential operations, while 47% of agency staff are being furloughed (i.e., temporarily on unpaid leave).

On September 5, 2025, the Trump Administration abandoned the defense of the federal noncompete ban, thereby killing the rule. The rule, if implemented, would have banned most noncompete agreements from employment contracts.

Earlier this week, Senator Cris Dush (Cameron County) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 125. SB 125 is a Joint Resolution to provide amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution to give the Pennsylvania General Assembly the authority to legislate venue and pass laws that can return common sense to venue selection in Pennsylvania.

The transfer of $200 million from the Pennsylvania Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) to the general fund of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was completed on August 13, 2025. The $200 million consisted entirely of unspent premiums collected from Pennsylvania physicians and appreciation from investment of those funds.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) strongly supports vaccines and other evidence-based practices that protect public health and prevent disease.

As the national shortage of Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin L-A) continues, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends all medical providers prioritize the use of Bicillin L-A for treating women who are diagnosed with or suspected of having syphilis and who are pregnant.

Pfizer has agreed to implement measures designed to ensure Americans receive comparable drug prices to those available in other developed countries and pricing newly launched medicines at parity with other key developed markets.

Sanofi US has announced a broad expansion of its Insulins Valyou Savings Program by offering a 30-day supply of any Sanofi insulin for $35 to all patients in the US with a valid prescription.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued guidance for the upcoming respiratory season, including vaccination guidance, surveillance tools, outbreak management resources, and reporting requirements for health care providers to use to help protect Pennsylvanians during the respiratory virus season.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Pennsylvania Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine (collectively, “Boards”) voted in support of the issuance of guidance on immunizations by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH).

On September 25, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled favorably, and unanimously, in a PAMED amici brief case, preserving an important legal standard concerning where a case will be tried.

On August 27, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania amended Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 4003.6 to add commentary acknowledging the holding in Mertis v. Oh, 317 A.3d 529 (Pa. 2024).

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a series of meetings to determine new recommendations that could significantly impact vaccine protocols.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued updated guidance for work exclusion for health care personnel with confirmed or suspected respiratory viral infections, including COVID-19 and influenza.

Last week, PAMED submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) on the proposed rule changes concerning the physician fee schedule and other Medicare payment policies announced in mid-July.

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) Vice President Edward P. Balaban, DO, FACP, FASCO joined the Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Coalition and state legislators at the Capitol to advocate for increased awareness, education, and access to life-saving screenings.

A new legislative effort is underway to ensure Pennsylvanians continue to have access to essential vaccines—regardless of changes in federal guidelines.