NCPA opposes First DataBank AWP settlement
June 25th 2007In federal court papers filed last week, NCPA stated its opposition to the proposed settlement in the average manufacturer price-fixing suit, insisting that it might radically reduce or eliminate the already-thin profit margin for community pharmacies.
Nearly all retail pharmacies in Medicare Part D
June 25th 2007According to a just-released study of Medicare Part D data from 2006, conducted by the Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General, 97% of retail pharmacies offer at least one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
HHS withdraws exclusionary rule
June 25th 2007The Department of Health & Human Services has withdrawn a controversial proposed rule that would have allowed it to exclude from government health programs any provider that submitted reimbursement claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state healthcare programs that were held to be "substantially in excess" of the provider's "usual charges," unless the provider had "good cause" to submit the claim.
Experts reach consensus on personal med record parameters
June 25th 2007A medication list that includes patients' current medications and only the most relevant information about their care will be an effective tool to tackle one of the most challenging obstacles to the smooth delivery of care facing patients.
FTC accepts Rite Aid, Jean Coutu Group agreement
June 18th 2007The FTC has accepted, subject to final approval, an Agreement Containing Consent Order with Rite Aid Corp. and the Jean Coutu Group. The agreement is designed to remedy the likely anticompetitive effects arising from Rite Aid's proposed acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd retail pharmacies from Jean Coutu.