Congressional committee chair calls for action against hospital infections
Sen. Henry Waxman holds a hearing on what can be done to curb hospital infections
Pharmacists lose in final ESRD rule
A final rule from CMS makes no requirements for a pharmacist to be part of the dialysis team, creating concern among hospital pharmacists.
FDA approves alvimopan (Entereg) for the treatment of post-operative ileus
GSK and Aldolor's alvimopan is approved to improve GI recovery following surgery.
CMS reins in Medicare Advantage plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing regulations to control selling tactics used by Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to attract new customers.
New DEA rule lets docs treat more recovering patients
A DEA final rule allows prescribers to order narcotics for up to 100 patients at one time for detoxification purposes.
Medicare announces over 320 winning suppliers for DMEPOS bid program
CMS announed the names of the 325 winning suppliers that have signed contracts with Medicare to provide DMEPOS.
FDA to take new tack on postmarketing surveillance
FDA will review claims data from Medicare and other sources to identify unsafe drugs and devices.
Litigation underway to derail DMEPOS bidding program
A suit has been filed to put a stop to the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical supplies.
AMCP: Don't require Part D plans to include all drugs for serious conditions
AMCP has sent a letter to Senate leaders strongly objecting to Section 176 of S. 3101.
New suit filed to derail Medi-Cal cutbacks
Eight community pharmacies have filed suit to stop Medi-Cal reimbursement cutbacks from taking effect on July 1.
IACP sets up branch office at NCPA headquarters
To better ward off blows by the FDA to compounding pharmacists, IACP has established a satellite office at NCPA's headquarters.
CDC's flu vaccine performance is mixed
Some pharmacists think CDC is doing a good job selecting the right strain for the flu vaccine, others don't think so.
New law in Colorado enables Wal-Mart to offer more drugs at discount
Wal-Mart expands the number of discounted drugs it is offering in Colorado after a new pricing law is passed.
NCCN compendium gains recognition for national coverage decisions
CMS recognizes the NCCN compendium as a source for determining whether a cancer drug or biologic should be covered.
OIG investigates Medicare Part D coverage for dual eligibles
A study from the Office of the Inspector General of the department of Health & Human Services finds problems for dual-eligible residents of nursing facilities with Medicare Part D.
HHS wants your comments on antiviral use for flu pandemic
The feds have issued two guidances related to the use of drugs for the influenza pandemic.
Members of Congress urge one-year delay in Medicare bidding program for home medical equipment
Two letters signeed by 132 members of Congress urge a delay in the Medicare bidding program for home medical equipment.
Cash-strapped providers over NPI may get accelerated payments
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is offering hardship payments for providers with cash flow problems related to the National Provider Identification numbers.
N.Y. R.Ph.s to stage demonstration today against cuts in pay
A demonstration is planned today in Manhattan to protest against cuts in drug reimbursement that take effect on July 1.
CMS rejects Louisiana proposal to increase Medicaid dispensing fee
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has turned down a proposal from Louisiana to increase the state's Medicaid dispensing fee to more than $10.
Connecticut joins AWP suit against McKesson, First DataBank
The state of Connecticut has joined in the class-action suit against McKesson, First DataBank, and Medi-Span over inflated average wholesale prices.
FDA issues advice for switch to HFA-albuterol inhalers
The agency releases alert to transition patients to new albuterol inhalers by year's end.
New settlement proposed in First DataBank AWP suit
A new settlement has been proposed in the average wholesale price suit against First DataBank, McKesson, and Medi-Span.
Ohio Board of Pharmacy investigates Cardinal distribution center
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy is investigating the Cardinal distribution center in Findlay, Ohio, for distributing large amounts of controlled substances to an Internet pharmacy.
R.I. jury acquits two former CVS executives of corruption charges
Two former CVS executives have been acquitted of bribing a Rhode Island state senator for legislative favors.
Three Florida doctors and six others charged in $56 million healthcare fraud
Three Miami area doctors and six others were charged for defrauding Medicare.
Illegal Internet pharmacy caught by long arm of the law
A California man faces incarceration and a hefty fine for selling drugs over the Internet without the proper safeguards in place.
Part D claims data to be grist for research mill under new CMS rule
CMS issues a final rule letting researchers and HHS access Part D claims data for research purposes.
FDA requests recall of Xiadafil VIP Tabs
SEI Pharmaceuticals' Xiadafil VIP Tabs are being recalled for containing a substance that could hurt patients.
Express Scripts to pay more than $9 million to settle drug switching charges
Express Scripts has agreed to pay 28 states and the District of Columbia $9.3 million to settle charges that it switched cholesterol-lowering drugs for financial gain.
