Medicare Part D revisions sorely needed
A new year is coming, and with it a new administration in Washington, a new Congress, and a new, skeptical look at Medicare Part D.
New products: Rx, generics, OTC (August 2008)
New drugs, dosage, indications, generics, and over-the-counter products for sale in pharmacies.
Execs share war stories about adopting technology in their stores
Information technology for pharmacy is allowing more efficiencies and supporting more services, according to two chain executives.
New products bring lice treatment to a head
It has been 22 years since the Food and Drug Administration approved a new prescription drug treatment for head lice, but now several new remedies are on the horizon.
NACDS Marketplace showcases new products that fill unmet needs
Nearly 600 companies exhibited thousands of products at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace in San Diego.
Global counterfeiting still growing, U.S. commerce official says
Legitimate interests globally are facing a battle with pharmaceutical counterfeiters.
Survey shows, on average, 4.6 hours per week are spent channeling the approval process
Securing prior authorization is a time-consuming and costly process. It burdens the dispensing practice, irritates patients, and could be simplified, according to a consensus of pharmacists.
You laughing at me?
None of us wants to admit that there could be violence in practicing our profession.
Agencies flush original strategies in favor of promoting drug take-back programs
FDA has imposed a change in drug labeling that once advised flushing unused drugs down the toilet. Now the agency is encouraging consumers and pharmacists to take advantage of drug take-back programs.
New eczema guidelines promote use of emollients, then topical corticosteroids
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published clinical guidelines in December 2007 on diagnosis and management of eczema in children.
New combination pill approved for Type 2 diabetes
A fixed-dose combination pill from Novo Nordisk and Sciele Pharma will give patients with diabetes a new option.
Merger, Medicare reform could mean broader e-prescribing adoption
The merger of e-prescribing networks RxHub and SureScripts may go a long way toward accelerating e-prescribing adoption, which could lower pharmacists' transaction fees, according to one expert.
DEA proposes rule to allow electronic prescriptions for controlled substances
Physicians would have the choice of doling out electronic prescriptions for controlled substances with a proposed regulation from the DEA.
Letters: Aug. 11, 2008
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Mercer survey finds pharmacists' salaries on the rise
Survey showed that salaries of retail staff pharmacists have risen 5.8% in 2008.
FDA is warning that patients should receive genetic testing before obtaining Ziagen
FDA warns about AIDS drug, abacavir, due to increased risk of potentially fatal side effects for some patients.
Beware of risks when using micro-bubble contrast agents
The FDA issued an updated alert about the dangers of using micro-bubble contrast agents for diagnosis in certain patients.
Safety summit yields ways to prevent IV drug errors
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists hosted summit to discuss drug errors and standardizing product concentrations.
Merger talks underway between Teva and Barr, Roche and Genentech
Teva plans to acquire Barr for $7.6 billion; Roche plans to take over Genentech at $89 a share
Renal community applauds new MIPPA law
Renal care community is pleased with the passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, because the law contains provisions related to kidney dialysis.
Diabetes educators encourage patients to talk about their insulin injections
Many diabetics who need insulin dread the injections, but they don?t tell health professionals because they don?t want to bother them.
Docs and R.Ph.s have mixed reactions to upcoming rheumatoid arthritis agents
Several biologic agents are expected to be approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the next few years.
U.S. pharmacists helping to keep banned drugs away from Beijing Olympics
The Beijing Olympics begins today, but some U.S. pharmacists have been hard at work there for days on end now.
FDA chooses three different strains for vaccines for new flu season
Six vaccines, reflecting three new strains of the influenza virus, will do battle with the flu during the 2008-2009 season.
Now there's an echinocandin antifungal to treat kids
Cancidas, previously approved for use in adults, can now be applied also to pediatric patients aged three months to 17 years.
Specialty and mail-order pharmacies can now get URAC accreditation
A third new program?on workers compensation?will become available later this year.
Ortho recalling some PROCIT vials
The recall comes in the wake of discovering cracks in the vials' necks that could keep the drug from remaining sterile.
NPI system to undergo system maintenance
It will be out of commission for system maintenance on Aug. 10.
Sav-Mor offers patients free consultation and discounts for a fee
Customers can join its rewards club at a one-time fee of $10.
FDA approves combo antihypertensives as initial therapy
This approval spares health professionals from having to start a patient on a single medication, according to Novartis.