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The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association has asked Congress to consider policy changes it believes will reduce prescription drug abuse and Medicare fraud.

Some customers in the Indianapolis area are furious about a new Walgreens policy that has forced some to wait up to 5 days to fill pain medications and left others feeling humiliated.

FDA approved levomilnacipran extended-release capsules (Fetzima) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, according to the manufacturers, Forest Laboratories and Pierre Fabre Laboratories.

Good Neighbor Pharmacy stores in 19 states are now providing immunization services to patients without doctor’s prescriptions.

FDA has decided to limit the use of oral ketoconazole (Nizoral) to life-threatening mycoses because the drug can cause severe liver injuries and adrenal gland problems, according to an FDA statement released at the end of July.

Patients taking the new generation of oral anticoagulants are associated with a significantly higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a study published in the July 2013 issue of Gastroenterology.

Independent pharmacies enrolled in AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation’s business coaching program, on average, saw a 5% increase in sales-per-employee, the organization announced during its ThoughtSpot 2013 tradeshow in Las Vegas.

Telmisartan and valsartan, used to reduce blood pressure in people with diabetes, are associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, according to a study published on the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) continues to receive reports of dose measurement confusion with Humulin R U-500 concentrated insulin injection, according to a recent safety alert from the agency.

FDA sent out a MedWatch warning, on July 12, 2013, after Medtronic recalled its MiniMed Paradigm insulin infusion sets.

The use of electronic health records saved more than 3% in ambulatory health costs but did not reduce overall inpatient costs, according to a study published in the July 16, 2013 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

A new retrospective case-control study among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease found a 30% decreased risk of COPD exacerbation with any statin use.

Many Muslims in America recently began their annual celebration of Ramadan, which for many includes fasting or long stretches without eating or drinking. This year, Ramadan began on July 9th and will end on August 7th. For Muslims with chronic illnesses, this can present significant risks.

Testifying before a congressional committee weighing options to strengthen oversight of compounding pharmacies, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Executive Director Carmen Catizone supported legislation proposed in the U.S. Senate.

Student pharmacists from the University of Arkansas, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of the Pacific are finalists in 2013 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition.

Together Rx Access’ popular prescription saving program, through which uninsured consumers saved on hundreds of brand name and generic prescriptions, will end next year.

B. Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association, this week testified before a congressional committee considering tightening FDA oversight of compounding pharmacies following last year’s New England Compounding Center’s fungal meningitis tragedy.

Walgreens has named Mark Lelinski, formerly an executive with Accenture and AstraZeneca, its corporate vice president, market access.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has announced a request-for-proposals to research integrating medication therapy management services into the hospital discharge process.

Medicare costs for more than 669,000 beneficiaries within the Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations last year grew at a slower pace, 0.3%, compared to the 0.8% growth rate in spending for those beneficiaries not part of this new model.

Within our healthcare-driven society, the increase in the identification and diagnosis of mental illnesses has led to a proportional increase in the prescribing of psychotropic medications. The prevalence of mental illnesses and subsequent treatment approaches that employ monotherapy as first-line treatment, but in many cases the use of combination of therapy can occur, leading to polypharmacy.1

Retail pharmacies have a responsibility to improve Medicare Part D Star ratings – and partner with health plans to achieve those goals, according to an executive with Target.

Face-to-face interaction between pharmacists and patients will be key to the success or failure of the federal government’s Million Hearts initiative to prevent heart attacks and strokes, Salvatore Giorgianni, PharmD, told participants during the June 3 State of Men’s Heart Webinar.

Some conclusions about pharmacy practice then and now, from an RPh who has weathered it all

Take 15 minutes and make a difference

Impressions from a working visit to McLaughlin, S.D.

Some thoughts about the things that count

A short history of biologics and biosimilars, with some pointers on what comes next

As the first biosimilar has yet to make its way through the approval process, many practical and hypothetical questions remain

What's it like to own your own pharmacy? Glad you asked