Latest news with #OhioBoardofPharmacy
30-06-2025
- Health
Thinking about taking a stab at IV therapy? Ask some questions first
IV therapy clinics are springing up around the country, touting quick ways to recover from a hangover or a hard workout. But doctors and regulators preach caution. The services have been on a growth spurt since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering drips that promise to boost energy, gird immune systems or relieve joint pain. This is done from bags of intravenous fluids normally seen hanging next to hospital beds. Customers must be willing to fork over as much as couple hundred dollars for each session — in some cases for a mixture of vitamins and supplements that would be considerably cheaper in pill form. Proponents say this approach helps customers hydrate faster and absorb more of a vitamin or supplement than they would by swallowing pills. But Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the therapy mostly helps people create 'expensive urine,' with the body clearing what it doesn't use. They're hard to count, partly because some businesses just provide IV therapy while others offer it as part of a medical spa. The practice grew popular during COVID-19, when access to doctors became limited and people grew more concerned about their immune system health, according to the American IV Association, an industry group. Regulators in Ohio are following the trend closely in their state, which now has around 200 clinics. These businesses were largely unheard of there before the pandemic, said Cameron McNamee, a spokesman for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Doctors say there are some good questions to pose before any treatment starts. Customers should ask the person starting the IV how long they have been doing their job and what sort of training they have, said Torbati. They also should know what's in the IV drip. For instance, 'Wonder Juice' treatment offered by the Restore Hyper Wellness franchise combines six vitamins and supplements that are available, in oral form, on the pharmacy store shelves. Knowing all the ingredients comes in handy if someone has an allergic reaction. Also ask where the company gets its drugs, if any are used. The answer should be a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler, according to McNamee. Otherwise, the drug could be counterfeit or substandard. Ohio regulators have suspended the licenses of businesses that purchased drugs on Facebook. Customers also should make sure the clinic is in decent shape when they visit. 'If the office isn't clean, then the IV room's probably not clean either,' McNamee said. They don't like that a nurse or a paramedic often helps a customer decide on an IV therapy and then delivers the treatment. Rules can vary, but many state regulators say a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner should be involved. The clinics often run on standing orders, which are issued by a doctor with the idea that they give the nurse or paramedic permission to treat patients according to certain protocols. Hospital emergency rooms regularly operate on the same kind of orders, according to Dr. Chris Seitz, an emergency physician and chairman of the American IV Association's scientific advisory board. 'Many nurses saw patients before I ever could get to them in the emergency department and initiated care like IV fluids,' he said. Regulators also worry about the role customers play in picking their own treatments. 'A patient cannot enter a doctor's office or hospital and demand an IV any more than a patient can direct his or her own appendectomy,' Kentucky officials said in a March statement. But Seitz says there should be a partnership between any care provider and the patient, with the provider helping the patient make the right decision. 'Patients have a requirement and a need to be the CEO of their own health,' he said. Patient choice feeds another worry: the mixing of ingredients for specific treatments, a practice known as compounding. South Carolina regulators said in a 2023 statement that this should result from a valid care provider order, 'not from a patient-driven menu akin to a fast-food restaurant.' However, proponents say the addition of vitamins or drugs to an IV treatment should not be confused with mixing prescription drugs in a lab. 'It's just pretty simple low-hanging fruit in terms of clinical complexity,' said Jeff Cohen, a co-founder of the American IV Association. IV therapy clinics do provide some care. They can help cancer patients or pregnant women stay hydrated. Some treatments offer relief from migraine pain. But many drips require the creation of a sterile, soluble vitamin or supplement that is safe to put into someone's veins. That's more expensive to make than a vitamin that may cost a few cents a pill, Torbati noted. Customers will need to determine whether the added expense is worth it. 'Usually within eight hours, all that expensive therapy (is) peed out,' he said. ___
San Francisco Chronicle
30-06-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Thinking about taking a stab at IV therapy? Ask some questions first
IV therapy clinics are springing up around the country, touting quick ways to recover from a hangover or a hard workout. But doctors and regulators preach caution. The services have been on a growth spurt since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering drips that promise to boost energy, gird immune systems or relieve joint pain. This is done from bags of intravenous fluids normally seen hanging next to hospital beds. Customers must be willing to fork over as much as couple hundred dollars for each session — in some cases for a mixture of vitamins and supplements that would be considerably cheaper in pill form. Proponents say this approach helps customers hydrate faster and absorb more of a vitamin or supplement than they would by swallowing pills. But Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the therapy mostly helps people create 'expensive urine,' with the body clearing what it doesn't use. How many IV clinics are there? They're hard to count, partly because some businesses just provide IV therapy while others offer it as part of a medical spa. The practice grew popular during COVID-19, when access to doctors became limited and people grew more concerned about their immune system health, according to the American IV Association, an industry group. Regulators in Ohio are following the trend closely in their state, which now has around 200 clinics. These businesses were largely unheard of there before the pandemic, said Cameron McNamee, a spokesman for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. What should customers know about IV therapy clinics? Doctors say there are some good questions to pose before any treatment starts. Customers should ask the person starting the IV how long they have been doing their job and what sort of training they have, said Torbati. They also should know what's in the IV drip. For instance, 'Wonder Juice' treatment offered by the Restore Hyper Wellness franchise combines six vitamins and supplements that are available, in oral form, on the pharmacy store shelves. Knowing all the ingredients comes in handy if someone has an allergic reaction. Also ask where the company gets its drugs, if any are used. The answer should be a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler, according to McNamee. Otherwise, the drug could be counterfeit or substandard. Ohio regulators have suspended the licenses of businesses that purchased drugs on Facebook. Customers also should make sure the clinic is in decent shape when they visit. 'If the office isn't clean, then the IV room's probably not clean either,' McNamee said. Why are regulators concerned? They don't like that a nurse or a paramedic often helps a customer decide on an IV therapy and then delivers the treatment. Rules can vary, but many state regulators say a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner should be involved. The clinics often run on standing orders, which are issued by a doctor with the idea that they give the nurse or paramedic permission to treat patients according to certain protocols. Hospital emergency rooms regularly operate on the same kind of orders, according to Dr. Chris Seitz, an emergency physician and chairman of the American IV Association's scientific advisory board. 'Many nurses saw patients before I ever could get to them in the emergency department and initiated care like IV fluids,' he said. Is there too much patient involvement? Regulators also worry about the role customers play in picking their own treatments. 'A patient cannot enter a doctor's office or hospital and demand an IV any more than a patient can direct his or her own appendectomy,' Kentucky officials said in a March statement. But Seitz says there should be a partnership between any care provider and the patient, with the provider helping the patient make the right decision. 'Patients have a requirement and a need to be the CEO of their own health,' he said. Patient choice feeds another worry: the mixing of ingredients for specific treatments, a practice known as compounding. South Carolina regulators said in a 2023 statement that this should result from a valid care provider order, 'not from a patient-driven menu akin to a fast-food restaurant.' However, proponents say the addition of vitamins or drugs to an IV treatment should not be confused with mixing prescription drugs in a lab. 'It's just pretty simple low-hanging fruit in terms of clinical complexity,' said Jeff Cohen, a co-founder of the American IV Association. What's the big picture? IV therapy clinics do provide some care. They can help cancer patients or pregnant women stay hydrated. Some treatments offer relief from migraine pain. But many drips require the creation of a sterile, soluble vitamin or supplement that is safe to put into someone's veins. That's more expensive to make than a vitamin that may cost a few cents a pill, Torbati noted. 'Usually within eight hours, all that expensive therapy (is) peed out,' he said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Thinking about taking a stab at IV therapy? Ask some questions first
IV therapy clinics are springing up around the country, touting quick ways to recover from a hangover or a hard workout. But doctors and regulators preach caution. The services have been on a growth spurt since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering drips that promise to boost energy, gird immune systems or relieve joint pain. This is done from bags of intravenous fluids normally seen hanging next to hospital beds. Customers must be willing to fork over as much as couple hundred dollars for each session — in some cases for a mixture of vitamins and supplements that would be considerably cheaper in pill form. Proponents say this approach helps customers hydrate faster and absorb more of a vitamin or supplement than they would by swallowing pills. But Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the therapy mostly helps people create 'expensive urine,' with the body clearing what it doesn't use. How many IV clinics are there? They're hard to count, partly because some businesses just provide IV therapy while others offer it as part of a medical spa. The practice grew popular during COVID-19, when access to doctors became limited and people grew more concerned about their immune system health, according to the American IV Association, an industry group. Regulators in Ohio are following the trend closely in their state, which now has around 200 clinics. These businesses were largely unheard of there before the pandemic, said Cameron McNamee, a spokesman for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. What should customers know about IV therapy clinics? Doctors say there are some good questions to pose before any treatment starts. Customers should ask the person starting the IV how long they have been doing their job and what sort of training they have, said Torbati. They also should know what's in the IV drip. For instance, 'Wonder Juice' treatment offered by the Restore Hyper Wellness franchise combines six vitamins and supplements that are available, in oral form, on the pharmacy store shelves. Knowing all the ingredients comes in handy if someone has an allergic reaction. Also ask where the company gets its drugs, if any are used. The answer should be a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler, according to McNamee. Otherwise, the drug could be counterfeit or substandard. Ohio regulators have suspended the licenses of businesses that purchased drugs on Facebook. Customers also should make sure the clinic is in decent shape when they visit. 'If the office isn't clean, then the IV room's probably not clean either,' McNamee said. Why are regulators concerned? They don't like that a nurse or a paramedic often helps a customer decide on an IV therapy and then delivers the treatment. Rules can vary, but many state regulators say a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner should be involved. The clinics often run on standing orders, which are issued by a doctor with the idea that they give the nurse or paramedic permission to treat patients according to certain protocols. Hospital emergency rooms regularly operate on the same kind of orders, according to Dr. Chris Seitz, an emergency physician and chairman of the American IV Association's scientific advisory board. 'Many nurses saw patients before I ever could get to them in the emergency department and initiated care like IV fluids,' he said. Is there too much patient involvement? Regulators also worry about the role customers play in picking their own treatments. 'A patient cannot enter a doctor's office or hospital and demand an IV any more than a patient can direct his or her own appendectomy,' Kentucky officials said in a March statement. But Seitz says there should be a partnership between any care provider and the patient, with the provider helping the patient make the right decision. 'Patients have a requirement and a need to be the CEO of their own health,' he said. Patient choice feeds another worry: the mixing of ingredients for specific treatments, a practice known as compounding. South Carolina regulators said in a 2023 statement that this should result from a valid care provider order, 'not from a patient-driven menu akin to a fast-food restaurant.' However, proponents say the addition of vitamins or drugs to an IV treatment should not be confused with mixing prescription drugs in a lab. 'It's just pretty simple low-hanging fruit in terms of clinical complexity,' said Jeff Cohen, a co-founder of the American IV Association. What's the big picture? IV therapy clinics do provide some care. They can help cancer patients or pregnant women stay hydrated. Some treatments offer relief from migraine pain. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. But many drips require the creation of a sterile, soluble vitamin or supplement that is safe to put into someone's veins. That's more expensive to make than a vitamin that may cost a few cents a pill, Torbati noted. Customers will need to determine whether the added expense is worth it. 'Usually within eight hours, all that expensive therapy (is) peed out,' he said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thinking about taking a stab at IV therapy? Ask some questions first
IV therapy clinics are springing up around the country, touting quick ways to recover from a hangover or a hard workout. But doctors and regulators preach caution. The services have been on a growth spurt since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering drips that promise to boost energy, gird immune systems or relieve joint pain. This is done from bags of intravenous fluids normally seen hanging next to hospital beds. Customers must be willing to fork over as much as couple hundred dollars for each session — in some cases for a mixture of vitamins and supplements that would be considerably cheaper in pill form. Proponents say this approach helps customers hydrate faster and absorb more of a vitamin or supplement than they would by swallowing pills. But Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the therapy mostly helps people create 'expensive urine,' with the body clearing what it doesn't use. How many IV clinics are there? They're hard to count, partly because some businesses just provide IV therapy while others offer it as part of a medical spa. The practice grew popular during COVID-19, when access to doctors became limited and people grew more concerned about their immune system health, according to the American IV Association, an industry group. Regulators in Ohio are following the trend closely in their state, which now has around 200 clinics. These businesses were largely unheard of there before the pandemic, said Cameron McNamee, a spokesman for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. What should customers know about IV therapy clinics? Doctors say there are some good questions to pose before any treatment starts. Customers should ask the person starting the IV how long they have been doing their job and what sort of training they have, said Torbati. They also should know what's in the IV drip. For instance, 'Wonder Juice' treatment offered by the Restore Hyper Wellness franchise combines six vitamins and supplements that are available, in oral form, on the pharmacy store shelves. Knowing all the ingredients comes in handy if someone has an allergic reaction. Also ask where the company gets its drugs, if any are used. The answer should be a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler, according to McNamee. Otherwise, the drug could be counterfeit or substandard. Ohio regulators have suspended the licenses of businesses that purchased drugs on Facebook. Customers also should make sure the clinic is in decent shape when they visit. 'If the office isn't clean, then the IV room's probably not clean either,' McNamee said. Why are regulators concerned? They don't like that a nurse or a paramedic often helps a customer decide on an IV therapy and then delivers the treatment. Rules can vary, but many state regulators say a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner should be involved. The clinics often run on standing orders, which are issued by a doctor with the idea that they give the nurse or paramedic permission to treat patients according to certain protocols. Hospital emergency rooms regularly operate on the same kind of orders, according to Dr. Chris Seitz, an emergency physician and chairman of the American IV Association's scientific advisory board. 'Many nurses saw patients before I ever could get to them in the emergency department and initiated care like IV fluids,' he said. Is there too much patient involvement? Regulators also worry about the role customers play in picking their own treatments. 'A patient cannot enter a doctor's office or hospital and demand an IV any more than a patient can direct his or her own appendectomy,' Kentucky officials said in a March statement. But Seitz says there should be a partnership between any care provider and the patient, with the provider helping the patient make the right decision. 'Patients have a requirement and a need to be the CEO of their own health,' he said. Patient choice feeds another worry: the mixing of ingredients for specific treatments, a practice known as compounding. South Carolina regulators said in a 2023 statement that this should result from a valid care provider order, 'not from a patient-driven menu akin to a fast-food restaurant.' However, proponents say the addition of vitamins or drugs to an IV treatment should not be confused with mixing prescription drugs in a lab. 'It's just pretty simple low-hanging fruit in terms of clinical complexity,' said Jeff Cohen, a co-founder of the American IV Association. What's the big picture? IV therapy clinics do provide some care. They can help cancer patients or pregnant women stay hydrated. Some treatments offer relief from migraine pain. But many drips require the creation of a sterile, soluble vitamin or supplement that is safe to put into someone's veins. That's more expensive to make than a vitamin that may cost a few cents a pill, Torbati noted. Customers will need to determine whether the added expense is worth it. 'Usually within eight hours, all that expensive therapy (is) peed out,' he said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pharmacy board suspends another Ohio weight loss clinic's license
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 24: In this photo illustration, the injectable weight-loss medication Wegovy is available at New City Halstead Pharmacy on April 24, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. More than 3 million people with Medicare could be eligible for the difficult-to-find and expensive weight-loss drug under new guidance which can cover the medication for patients who are obese or those who have a history of heart disease and are at risk of a heart attack or stroke. (Photo Illustration by) Ohio weight-loss clinics continue to be disciplined over alleged unsafe practices and false claims that they pass regulatory muster. The actions come as demand skyrockets for drugs similar to those that go by the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy notified Slimbolic Weight Loss and Med Spa in Beavercreek that its license to distribute dangerous drugs was summarily suspended. The notice was accompanied by a 29-page document listing scores of alleged violations. They included naming as the person responsible for the clinic a Maine doctor who had never been there, improper recordkeeping, storing adulterated drugs with those that weren't, and improperly labeled drugs. Pharmacy board inspectors said workers at the clinic were also compounding drugs without the proper supervision and that they were doing so in a non-sterile environment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The order said 'there is clear and convincing evidence of a danger of immediate and serious harm to others due to Slimbolic's method used to possess or distribute dangerous drugs, and the method of prescribing dangerous drugs used by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who holds a terminal distributor license or practices in the employ of or under contract with a terminal distributor.' A call placed to the clinic was not returned. The board of pharmacy has been cracking down on weight-loss clinics as the clamor for GLP-1 drugs has risen. They facilitate weight loss by slowing gastric emptying. The resultant weight loss can ease impacts of obesity, including diabetes and heart disease. But the pharmacy board has reported numerous abuses by Ohio spas and weight-loss clinics over the past year. In January, the board suspended licenses to distribute dangerous drugs held by clinics in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus. It accused them of giving patients weight-loss drugs that were labeled 'for research use only' and that came from 'an unlicensed out-of-state-seller.' In March, it suspended the license of Rejuv and Renew Wellness Spa, which has clinics in Maineville and Franklin, both in Warren County between Cincinnati and Dayton. The board said the spa was injecting patients with 'counterfeit' Botox that the operator said she'd gotten from a California dentist she wouldn't identify. In a related matter, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently warned 14 spas 'to stop making false or misleading claims about their versions of popular weight-loss drugs.' 'People deserve clear and accurate information about the medications they're putting in their bodies,' Yost said in a written statement. 'We're reminding businesses that being truthful isn't just a good business practice — it's the law.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
