What Pharmacies Are Doing to Mitigate Shortages Due to COVID-19
Plus, ASHP comments on the latest drug shortage.
COVID-19 Update: FDA Confirms First Drug Shortage, Other Supply Shortages Continue
The FDA announced the first drug shortage due to COVID-19, and pharmacies are having challenges keeping face masks and hand sanitizers stocked.
Pharmacy Groups Express Concerns About Health Care Megamergers
In new comments to the US government, several pharmacy groups say that mergers of major companies have had significant anticompetitive effects without improving the cost and quality of health care.
Pharmacists Concerned About Shortages in Wake of Coronavirus
Separately, a pharmacy association executive urges Americans to receive the flu vaccine.
Pharmacist Groups Support Supreme Court PBM Case
Several pharmacy groups said they will file a brief in the Supreme Court case, Rutledge v. the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.
Top 5 Things to Know About COVID-19
FDA responds to shortages, plus other important updates.
New Primary Care Model Leveraging Pharmacists Can Curb Health Costs
NACDS praised the new Kaiser Permanente model, which utilizes pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to save significant health care costs.
New Reports Show Skyrocketing DIR Fees
Two new reports quantify the problem that community pharmacists have experienced firsthand.
NACDS Voices Support for CMS Pharmacy Quality Proposal
CMS proposed taking action to increase transparency in Medicare Part D plan sponsors’ pharmacy performance measures.
Coronavirus News Roundup: Mask Shortages, Drug Development, and FDA Response
The latest in how consumers are reacting to the new coronavirus, how it’s impacting pharmacies, and response efforts.
Cold and Flu Med Recalled Over Microbial Contamination
Efficient Laboratories, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 1 lot each of Rompe Pecho EX, Rompe Pecho CF, and Rompe Pecho MAXliquid products due to microbial contamination.
After NJ Drug Disposal Law, Are Other States Next?
A New Jersey law passed in mid-January requires pharmacies to provide drug disposal options and to educate their customers on how to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications.
California Considering Its Own Generic Drug Label
A pharmacy group is taking a wait-and-see approach after California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) announced several drug reforms–including a state generic prescription drug label.
Select Kroger Pharmacies Add Flu, Strep Tests
Kroger continues to expand on their health care and pharmacy services with the introduction of flu testing and strep throat testing in certain markets.
CDC Stresses Flu Vaccine as Deaths, Hospitalizations Rise
Flu vaccine effectiveness data are not available yet, but the latest flu-related death and hospitalization estimates are in.
Pharmacist Groups Laud Supreme Court PBM Case Hearing
The NACDS and NCPA praised the United States Supreme Court's decision to hear a case involving states’ regulation of pharmacy benefit managers.
Pharmacists Top Most Trusted Professions in Gallup Poll
NACDS says DIR fees, other policies need to change.
Pharmacy Chains Counter Allegations in Federal Opioid Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit, CVS, Walgreen, Rite Aid, and other major pharmacy chains said that they are not to blame in federal opioid litigation
Major Drug Store Chains Support HIV PrEP program
Walgreens, CVS Health, and Rite Aid are supporting the recently-launched “Ready, Set, PrEP” program.
Albertsons Expands Genetic Testing for Mental Health
Albertsons is expanding its partnership with Genomind to offer patients genetic testing to guide mental health medication management.
Drug Shortages, Product Standardization Plague IV Drug Delivery
Ongoing threats to the safety of intravenous (IV) drug delivery include drug shortages and lack of IV product standardization, according to an expert panel.
Study: Invasive Procedures Not Better than Meds for Cardiac Events
Invasive methods did not perform better than drug treatment in patients with stable ischemic heart disease
Pharmacy Associations Offer Perspective on Canada Drug Import Proposal
The proposed rule would allow for the importation of certain drugs from Canada.
Walgreens, Kroger Expand Partnership with Group Purchasing
More than a year after announcing a pilot joint venture, Kroger and Walgreens have formed a group purchasing organization.
Legislation Addressing DIR Fees Moves Ahead
Legislation aimed to do away with unfair direct and indirect renumeration (DIR) fees is moving forward.
FDA Investigating NDMA in Metformin
Patients with type 2 diabetes should keep taking their medication.
Kroger Partners With Hospital Network
Kroger recently launched an initiative that enables hospitals and health care networks to leverage Kroger resources to provide broader access and value-based health care.
Walgreens, UnitedHealth Team up for In-store Centers
UnitedHealthcare and Walgreens are partnering to open in-store centers.
Interventions Needed for Postoperative Opioids Prescribing
Evidence-based framework is an urgent need, study says.
ASHP Concerned About Safety of Foreign Drugs
Ranitidine recalls, Dollar Tree warnings prompt new safety steps.