Community R.Ph.s seek legislation against PBMs
March 26th 2007A panel representing community pharmacy addressed members of the Maryland General Assembly recently, emphasizing the need for pending legislation that would force PBMs to end what they call "deceptive business practices" and provide better safeguards for patients.
Kerr Drug partners with Together Rx Access
March 26th 2007Kerr Drug, a retail pharmacy chain, and Together Rx Access, a free prescription savings program, have partnered to help the eligible people in North and South Carolina without health insurance gain access to Rx medicines. With the Together Rx Access Card, most cardholders save 25% to 40% on brand-name prescription products, including medicines to treat high cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, and many other conditions.
Antifungal noted in National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines
March 26th 2007Posaconazole oral suspension (Noxafil, Schering-Plough) has been added to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network?s (NCCN) recommendations for the prevention of invasive fungal infections that can occur in high-risk cancer patients.
Pharmacy education: Change is the only constant
March 19th 2007Pharmacy education has been in an almost constant state of change for the past 150 years, since the era when a pharmacist learned by being an apprentice. That era was followed by a combination of apprenticeships and courses at local apothecary schools, and then by matriculating in schools of pharmacy for degree programs that gradually have been extended over the years.
The evolution of the R.Ph.: No longer 'seen but not heard'
March 19th 2007When you start looking, "you find pharmacists at every level of every endeavor and every industry that touches on health care," said pharmacy consultant Marsha K. Millonig, MBA, R.Ph., president of Catalyst Enterprises in Minneapolis. "Pharmacists have gone from making drugs to managing the use of drugs. But in a larger sense, pharmacists are doing what we have always done, evolving with society to find a role and fill it."
Antique collection turns into poster series
March 19th 2007What started as an innocent hobby has become a full-time and expanding art business for Philip McCarthy. The founder of Apothecary Images, McCarthy began collecting antique and historic pharmacy items nearly 20 years ago. "Pharmacists invited me into their basements to see their antique and historic items," he explained. "I fell in love with anything related to pharmacy."
Pharms in arms: Pharmacy responds to the call to duty
March 19th 2007Any combat veteran will acknowledge that the two most important members of his squad are the radioman and the field medic, the two prized targets for any enemy sniper. Pharmacists have played an indispensable role in all too many wars and are an important part of the field medical team.
Drug development: Which advances had the most impact
March 19th 2007Pharmacists could argue for days over what has been the most significant therapeutic advancement in the past 150 years. Some might consider antibiotics to have had the biggest impact in preventing the spread of bacterial infections, while others could argue that vaccines have had a similar effect.
Pharmacist helped shape U.S. history as Tuskegee Airman
March 19th 2007Pumping adrenaline as German planes roared in from behind his squadron in the skies above Anzio, Italy, the rookie pilot jettisoned his P-40 Warhawk's empty external fuel tank to gain speed. Bracing for his first dogfight, he failed to switch on the main fuel tank. A hand-me-down from the Flying Tigers, complete with Chinese writing in the cockpit, the plane's engine cut out.
Some hospital pharmacy leaders who have made a difference
March 19th 2007As Drug Topics celebrates its 150th anniversary, we wanted to recognize some of the key figures who have influenced the practice of health-system pharmacy. Bruce Scott and Marianne Ivey have made significant contributions to the profession as leaders at ASHP, in the academic setting, and in real-world practice. Here's an overview of two very illustrious careers.