Naturopathy May be Coming to Florida

A bill to license practitioners of naturopathy, a practice that has been prohibited in Florida since 1959, has cleared both the Florida house and senate. It is unclear whether Gov. Ron DeSantis will sign the bill.

If the bill becomes law, it will permit licensing of Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) who have graduated from accredited, four-year, in-residence naturopathic medical schools. The legislation establishes licensing requirements and establishes a board.
Naturopathy typically involves using natural remedies, such as food or botanical extracts, for the prevention and treatment of disease.

The bill states that treatment by a naturopathic practitioner can include: “botanical or fungal extracts, clinical nutrition, counseling techniques, dietary supplements, environmental medicine, homeopathic remedies, imaging studies, laboratory testing, lifestyle medicine, natural substances, physical exams, or physical medicine” in accordance with educational standards and requirements.

The legislation would prohibit naturopaths from prescribing medication, performing surgery, anesthesia or spinal adjustments unless they have additional medical licenses, such as a medical degree.

The bill is opposed by the Florida Medical Association. If the bill becomes law, FMA leaders say they expect that naturopaths will push for expansions to their practice, such as the ability to prescribe medicine.

Florida is one of three states, along with South Carolina and Tennessee, that prohibit the practice of naturopathy. About two dozen states offer licensure of naturopaths. In other states, the practice exists but is not regulated.

Another oral weight loss drug is approved

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the second GLP-1 oral medication for weight loss. The pill, called Foundayo, is taken once daily. It’s made by Eli Lilly, which also makes the injectable GLP-1 drug Zepbound.

Foundayo now joins the pill Wegovy, made by No Nordisk, as options for people who want to lose weight but avoid injections. The FDA approved the pill form of Wegovy late last year.

Consumers and their doctors now need to discuss which option they prefer. Some key differences have emerged. Wegovy is taken on an empty stomach in the morning.
However, Foundayo can be taken any time of day and with food or water, if desired.
Cost wise, the drugs will likely compare similarly. The lowest dose of oral Wegovy costs about $150 a month out of pocket. Lilly has not yet announced pricing for Foundayo, but it’s expected to be similarly priced.

Foundayo has a different chemical formulation than Lilly’s injectable drug, Zepbound. The active ingredient in the oral drug is easier for the body to absorb, according to the manufacturer. The active ingredient in Wegovy is the same in both oral and injectable
form.

There are no head-to-head studies on the efficacy of oral Wegovy and Foundayo. A comparison of clinical trial data, however, suggests Wegovy may lead to greater weight loss.

Both drugs will likely be in demand. Pills are more convenient for patients and are likely less susceptible to the product shortages that have plagued injectable GLP-1 medications in recent years, experts note.

Compared to last year, spring allergies are not as bad

By one measure, residents of North Florida may be enduring a better spring allergy season. Last year, the greater Jacksonville area ranked 20 th in worst allergy capitals in the United States, while the area ranged 53 rd this year, according to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) Allergy Capitals® report card.

• The report card is based on three factors:
   Tree, grass, and weed pollen scores (how many days each city has high or very
  high pollen counts)
• Over-the-counter allergy medicine use
  
• Availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists

According to AAFA experts, allergy season is getting longer and more intense due to climate change. Warmer temperatures cause plants to start growing sooner and produce more pollen.

• The five worst cities for pollen allergies in 2026 were Boise, San Diego, Tulsa, Provo and Rochester, N.Y. In Florida, Lakeland ranked 20th nationwide.
  According to AAFA experts, the best way to deal with allergies is through prevention, including:
  
• Check pollen counts daily
  
• Block pollen from getting into your house
  
• Rinse your nose with a nasal saline rinse and/or shower before bed to remove
  pollen from your body
  
• Use allergy medications to control symptoms
  
• Discuss your symptoms with your physician

For more information, go to How the Top 100 U.S. Cities Rank for Seasonal Pollen
Allergies.