FDA-mandated REMS now in force in pharmaceutical industry
October 8th 2009The FDA can require risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for certain prescription drugs and biological products, to ensure that the benefits of such products outweigh the risks. The effect of REMS ripples down through the supply chain to affect how pharmacies dispense medication.
Pharmacy groups file lawsuits over Medicaid cuts
October 1st 2009Pharmacy groups have filed three lawsuits that argue that California, New York, and Washington have not met their legal requirements to assure Medicaid patients receive access and quality care at least equal to patients in the general public.
Roche addressed Tamiflu dosing discrepancies
September 30th 2009Roche Laboratories recently released a statement to healthcare professionals regarding Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) recommendations. Specifically, the company said there have been cases where the units of measure in the instructions on the prescription label have not matched the units of dosing devices.
HealthTrans makes changes to average wholesale prices
September 28th 2009HealthTrans, a healthcare management solutions company, recently announced changes it made to ensure market readiness for changes to Average Wholesale Prices (AWP). HealthTrans successfully transitioned clients Sept. 16,according to a statement to Drug Topics, and is now effectively processing claims based on Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC).
NCPA urges treasury department to help with FSA requirement
September 24th 2009Community pharmacies and patients suffering the ill effects of a new flexible spending account (FSA) regulation could get some relief under two proposals the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) presented to the U.S. Department of Treasury in a letter Wednesday.
J.D. Power and Associates releases pharmacy study
September 17th 2009While pharmacy customers with prescription drug coverage are more satisfied with their pharmacy experience, customers with public-private plans are just as satisfied as those with wholly private insurance, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 National Pharmacy Study released today.
Beware of fake remedies sold as "dietary supplements"
September 4th 2009Manufacturers, promoters, and sellers of dietary supplements are prohibited by law from making claims to treat or cure illness or disease, or their symptoms. Pharmacists should encourage patients to check with medical professionals before commencing use of any dietary supplement.
Cardiometabolic disorders: The pharmacist's role
September 4th 2009The term "cardiometabolic disorders" (CMD) refers to a cluster of interrelated risk factors (hypertension, elevated fasting glucose, reduced high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and abdominal obesity) that promote the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. With an estimated 47 million Americans facing increased risk of heart disease because of these conditions, management of patients' CMD is a priority for pharmacists.
When pharmacy meant community, we showed up for each other
September 4th 2009Before the concept of "networking" became necessary, professional colleagues were often friends as well as peers, gathering regularly to compare notes, have fun, and support each other through difficult times. The loss of that connection has impoverished today's practice of pharmacy.
September 26 rollback of wholesale drug prices approaching fast
September 4th 2009With the settlement of the class-action lawsuit brought against First DataBank and McKesson by third-party payors accusing the companies of conspiring to inflate average wholesale prices (AWP) of hundreds of drugs, AWP values will roll back from 1.25 to 1.20 times the drugs' wholesale acquisition cost (WAC).