CMS releases Part D e-prescribing final rule
Final rule establishes standards for: formulary and benefits, medication history, fill status notification, and provider identifier
Consumer Reports poll: TV drug ads should include information on how to report side effects
Consumers say they will report serious side effects to the FDA if toll free numbers and Web site information are included in TV ads.
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.
Rite Aid pharmacists assist patients with allergy symptoms
Rite Aid pharmacists offer Allergy Guide to help patients get through allergy season.
GSK revises Relenza prescribing information to warn of abnormal behavior
GlaxoSmithKline updates Warnings and Precautions sections of zanamivir prescribing information
Oklahoma company continuing to buy independent pharmacies
Graymark Healthcare announces the purchase of two independent pharmacies, upping its store count to 14.
Nebraska health system to expand its retail pharmacies
Alegent Health is partnering with eq-Life and Fairview Pharmacy Services to grow its retail pharmacies.
NCPA, FBI, Purdue Pharma launch "Protect Your Pharmacy Now" initiative
NCPA, FBI LEEDA, Purdue Pharma L.P. program will promote improving pharmacy safety and security.
Wellness tour launched by Health Mart in key Midwest markets
Health Mart launches mobile wellness tour to provide free health screenings in Midwest markets.
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.
John Lederer to be named chairman of the board/CEO of Duane Reade
Duane Reade names John Lederer as Chairman of the Board/CEO
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 guidelines promote safe use of automated dispensing cabinets
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has released new guidelines to encourage the safe use of automated dispensing cabinets.
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
Next season's flu vaccine can be pre-booked
Afluria, CSL Biotherapies flu vaccine, can be pre-booked for the upcoming flu season
Catalyst Rx steps up its Generic Advantage Plan
Catalyst Rx PBM expands Generic Advantage Plan.
Wanted: Funds to computerize a pharmacy in Kigali, Rwanda
A New York pharmacist who heads up a nonprofit group is appealing for funds to computerize a pharmacy in Rwanda.
A Tabula Rasa for pharmacy consulting
Tabula Rasa Strategies to offer medication therapy management consulting services.
Prostate cancer patients should not be limited to least costly therapy
A men's health group is organizing an online petition to urge Congress to rescind a CMS practice of restricting prostate cancer patients to the least costly drug alternative.
Covidien recalls 32 lots of its prefilled syringes containing heparin
Covidien is recalling its heparin products supplied by Scientific Protein Laboratories because they contain a heparin-like contaminant.
CVS, NCOA announce three-year extension of Prescription for Better Health Partnership
CVS and National Council on Aging Extend Prescription for Better Health Partnership.
FDA warns consumers Total Body Formula and Total Body Mega Formula recalled
FDA warns consumers about recall of "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula".
Two HIV drugs suspected of producing higher cardiovascular risk
FDA is looking at whether Ziagen and Videx is linked to more heart attacks.
FDA studying if gel for diabetic ulcers causes cancer
Regranex is being studied by the FDA on whether it is linked to higher rates of cancer.
FDA requires REMS plan for 25 drugs, biologics
FDA issues a notice requiring the manufacturers of 25 high-risk drugs and biologics to submit a REMS plan.
GPhA: Tackling key issues of the day
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association looks at biologics, citizen petitions, patent reform, trade policy, and other key issues.
NCPDP eyeing standards for e-MARs for nursing home patients
A work group is looking at what interoperatability standards are needed to establish electronic medication administration records in long-term care.
FDA studying link between Singulair and suicides
The FDA is undertaking a study of Merck?s Singulair to see if it is associated with a higher rate of suicide.
New weight-based dosing for ribavirin available for hepatitis C patients
Schering-Plough has announced that FDA has approved a 1,400-mg dose of ribavirin and recommended that it be dosed based on patient weight.
Hospitals show that following best practices can reduce drug administration errors
The results of a demonstration project involving seven Bay Area hospitals showed that they cut their medication administration errors by 57% after they followed a set of six best practices.
