Tag: Better Utah in the News

Better Utah in the News

Gov. Herbert signs bill requiring him to consult with legislative leaders during emergencies

This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Gov. Gary Herbert on Monday endorsed one final bill from the Legislature’s recent coronavirus-related special session — a proposal that requires him to consult with House and Senate leaders before taking emergency action. The mandate means Herbert must now give a heads-up to legislators at least 24 hours ahead of an

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Better Utah in the News

Utah auditor reviewing $800K buy of anti-malarial drugs, other COVID-19 purchases

This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State Auditor John Dougall confirmed Friday his office is reviewing the state’s $800,000 purchase of anti-malarial drugs — a controversial move that raised red flags from pharmacists and medical professionals, and has since been refunded. “Yes, we’re looking into it,” Dougall told the Deseret News when asked

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Better Utah in the News

Scrutinized malaria drug purchase to be refunded in Utah

This article originally appeared on KSL News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah will be refunded for a $800,000 purchase it spent to buy a malaria drug once touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus despite warnings from doctors, officials said Wednesday. Leaders in both Utah and Oklahoma have faced scrutiny for spending millions of dollars combined to purchase the

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Better Utah in the News

Utah refunded $800K after purchase of unproven COVID-19 treatment

This article originally appeared on Fox 13. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — A local pharmacy chain has refunded the State of Utah $800,000 for thousands of pills intended for treating COVID-19. On March 31, the state purchased 20,000 courses of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine – commonly used in the treatment of malaria, but unproven in treating COVID-19 – from Meds in Motion.

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Better Utah in the News

Oklahoma, Utah face scrutiny over malaria drug purchases

This article originally appeared on PBS. Read it in its entirety here. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican state leaders in Oklahoma and Utah are facing scrutiny for spending millions of dollars combined to purchase malaria drugs promoted by President Trump to treat COVID-19 patients that many other states obtained for free and that doctors warned shouldn’t be used without more testing. While governments in at least

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Better Utah in the News

Price gouging complaint filed against Utah pharmacy over state’s purchase of anti-malaria drug

This article originally appeared in the Daily Herald. Read it in its entirety here. A Salt Lake City-based nonprofit filed a price gouging complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection against a pharmacy that sold the state $800,000 worth of an anti-malaria drug that’s been touted as a COVID-19 treatment despite warnings from medical experts. Alliance for a Better Utah submitted the complaint against Draper-based Meds

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Better Utah in the News

‘Price gouging’ complaint filed against $800K anti-malarial drug sale to state

This article originally appeared on KSL News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — The group Alliance for a Better Utah filed a “price gouging” complaint Tuesday against the Utah pharmacy Meds in Motion, which last month sold the state 20,000 doses of anti-malarial drugs for $800,000 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The people of Utah deserve to have this matter investigated,” Chase Thomas,

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Better Utah in the News

Utah Legislature moves to shield businesses from coronavirus lawsuits

This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. As the state makes moves to reopen its slumbering economy, the Utah Legislature approved a bill Thursday that would make property owners and business operators immune from lawsuits brought forward by people exposed to COVID-19. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, said the measure will make it easier for businesses to

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Better Utah in the News

More deaths, no benefit from drug touted by Trump to treat coronavirus, study finds

This article originally appeared on CBS News. Read it in its entirety here. A malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus showed no benefit in a large analysis of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals. There were more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care, researchers reported. The nationwide study was not a rigorous experiment. But with 368 patients, it’s the largest look

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Better Utah in the News

Utah to buy stockpile of anti-malarial drugs, critics blast deal

This article originally appeared in KSL. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — State health officials are in the process of buying a mass of anti-malarial drugs to treat up to 200,000 of Utah’s COVID-19 patients, despite objections from medical experts. The plan is to distribute the drugs to local pharmacies across the state so the treatment will be available “free of charge to patients,

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