New report urges DOD to shift away from retail pharmacies to curb costs
A Government Accountability Office report urges the Department of Defense to make more use of mail order to slow its drug spending.
State and federal legislation toughens rules for Internet pharmacies
Congress is considering a bill that toughens the controlled substance distribution standards that online pharmacies must meet, while Indiana passes a law to combat illegitimate Internet pharmacies.
Uninsured patients in New Jersey gain access to new drug discount card
A new Rx card will enable needy patients in New Jersey to get discounts of up to 50% off their prescription drugs.
Two Florida men receive prison sentence for Medicare fraud
The owners of two Miami-based healthcare corporations were sentenced to 63 and 56 months in prison for their roles in separate Medicare fraud schemes
New Web site helps seniors choose Medicare Part D plan
A pharmacist and nurse have created a Web site, Medicaresaver.com, to help seniors find a cost-effective Medicare Part D plan
A Tabula Rasa for pharmacy consulting
Tabula Rasa Strategies to offer medication therapy management consulting services.
GPhA: Tackling key issues of the day
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association looks at biologics, citizen petitions, patent reform, trade policy, and other key issues.
Calif. board puts off e-pedigree rule to 2011
The California Board of Pharmacy has announced that it will delay implementation of its electronic pedigree requirements until 2011.
PhRMA joins SMARxT drug disposal cause
Another group, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, is going green
California hospital fined for heparin overdose
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center must pay a fine of $25,000 for drug errors related to heparin overdose
Whitehouse drug control strategy focuses on illegal Internet sales
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy applauds President Bush for focusing on illegal Internet sales of prescription drugs
Arizona Senate passes legislation for smoking cessation treatments for Medicaid patients
Arizona Senate approves smoking cessation treatments for state Medicaid beneficiaries
Congress to CMS: Small businesses may be harmed by DME bidding program
Congress informs CMS that Medicare durable medical equipment bidding program may harm small businesses
CVS to pay almost $37 million to settle switching of ranitidine
CVS reaches $36.7 million settlement agreement on retail dispensing practices for ranitidine.
Ill. bill targets tobacco sales in pharmacies with clinics
An Illinois bill would prohibit the sale of tobacco in stores that have an in-store health clinic.
Groups call for affordable drugs in New York
AARP, consumer groups, unions, and a business and labor coalition jointly call for affordable prescription drugs.
Drug companies to pay $125 million in AWP settlement
Eleven drug companies settled litigation that charged they knowingly inflated average wholesale price for drugs in the Medicare Part B program.
Articles highlight pharmaceutical waste in water supply
An Associated Press series on pharmaceutical waste in the water supply draws attention to drug disposal and water safety issues.
DEA raid nets 12 in San Diego drug diversion ring
Twelve people were arrested in San Diego for prescription drug diversion at three pharmacies.
NCPA issues statement on bill that would add human growth hormone to Schedule III
NCPA comments on bill that would classify human growth hormone as Schedule III substance.
Prescription monitoring programs are coming to a state near you
Once limited to just a few states, prescription drug monitoring programs are now up and running or in the offing in many states.
Hospitals gearing up to meet Joint Commission's anticoagulation goals
JCAHO has set new patient safety goal related to anticoagulation that hospitals must meet.
Viewpoint: The wrong prescription for growing your income
Two IRS criminal investigators caution pharmacists about healthcare fraud.
Mandatory generic substitution continues to be questioned
More bills are being proposed that bar pharmacists from substituting antiepileptic drugs and immunosuppressants.
GPhA sets sights on increasing access to generic medicines in 2008
The GPhA annual meeting featured speakers dicussing the challenges and opportunities in the generic industry in 2008.
Latebreakers: Michigan Political Action Committee pushes back against Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Michigan pharmacists push ballot initiative prohibiting insurance companies from requiring state residents to use mail-order pharmacies.
Mental health parity bill passes in the House
The House of Representatives has followed the Senate in passing long-awaited mental health parity legislation.
Poll finds doctors should still be allowed to prescribe manually
Pharmacists divided over whether Medicare should require e-prescribing.
State and federal agencies scrutinize DeSoto Pharmacy
Louisiana hospital pharmacy under investigation
CDC expands recommended pediatric age range for influenza vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends influenza vaccine for all children six months to 18 years old.