The Columbian

Health Wire

FILE - A sign in front of the Food and Drug Administration building is seen on Dec. 10, 2020, in Silver Spring, Md. The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, that it will overhaul packaging labels for the emergency contraceptive pill, Plan B, that women can take after having sex to prevent a pregnancy.

FDA changes Plan B label, clarifies it won’t cause abortion

December 23, 2022, 4:27pm Health

The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it will overhaul packaging labels for the emergency contraceptive pill, Plan B, that women can take after having sex to prevent a pregnancy. Read story

FILE - Flu vaccines are lined up at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center where they were offering members and the public free flu and COVID-19 vaccines Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Lynwood, Calif. As of December 2022, the CDC estimates there have been at least 190,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from flu so far this season. The deaths include at least 17 children. (AP Photo/Mark J.

Flu starting to wane in U.S. after brutal start to season

December 23, 2022, 1:23pm Health

Flu is decreasing in many parts of the U.S. after an alarmingly early and strong start to the season. Read story

Gina Gratza, a trainer for students learning how to become psilocybin facilitators, shows the items that she would have at a dosing session, including mats, a pillow, a purge bucket, a sketch pad with colored pencils and tissues during a class near Damascus, Ore., on Dec. 2, 2022.

Have a safe trip: Oregon trains magic mushroom facilitators

December 23, 2022, 6:05am Health

At a woodsy retreat center in Oregon, some 30 men and women are seated or lying down, masks covering their eyes and listening to serene music. Read story

Washington attorney general sues Kroger, Albertsons, Rite Aid over opioid crisis

December 22, 2022, 7:48am Business

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday his office is suing Kroger, Albertsons and Rite Aid, arguing their pharmacy chains failed to act as the “final barrier” against the overprescription of opioids. Read story

FILE - A flu vaccine is readied at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center, Oct. 28, 2022, in Lynwood, Calif. The Biden administration announced it will release doses of prescription flu medicine from the Strategic National Stockpile to states as flu-sickened patients continue to flock to hospitals and doctor's offices around the country. (AP Photo/Mark J.

As flu rages, U.S. releases medicine from national stockpile

December 21, 2022, 8:33am Health

The Biden administration said Wednesday it will release doses of prescription flu medicine from the Strategic National Stockpile to states as flu-sickened patients continue to flock to hospitals and doctors’ offices around the country. Read story

A sign urges people to get a flu shot at Kaiser Permanente.

Washington DOH encourages caution in light of dangerous flu season

December 21, 2022, 7:47am Health Free

With this winter’s flu season spreading faster and causing more death than in previous years, the Washington State Department of Health is advising all state residents aged 6 months and older get their flu shots as soon as possible, according to a department press release. Read story

Flu deaths rise to 40 in Washington, vaccines urged

December 20, 2022, 4:53pm Health

The flu is spreading at a high rate in Washington state with deaths at higher rates than are usually seen at this point in the season, according to health officials. Read story

States challenge Biden to lower drug prices by allowing imports from Canada

December 20, 2022, 8:24am Health

The Biden administration is facing mounting pressure from states to let them import medicine from Canada to help lower prescription drug costs. Read story