Chain Pharmacy

What’s different in your drug stores this month? Your customers who are allergic to antibiotic ointments and creams will find a new first aid gel that’s antibiotic-free. There’s a prenatal dietary supplement with 450 mg of DHA. Men can check their sperm count at home with a new 10-minute tes,t and women will find a laxative that’s made just for them. A familiar brand of mouthwash has been made even stronger. And a new dipeptide product supports healthy aging.

Pharmacists and dietitians are playing important roles in the new health-and-wellness program at United Supermarkets, a chain of 51 stores in Lubbock, Texas.

J. Lyle Bootman, PhD, ScD, senior vice president for Health Sciences, dean and professor of Pharmacy, Medicine, and Public Health, University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy, was honored as the PPSI Distinguished Pharmacist of the Year, during PPSI’s annual breakfast, held during the American Pharmacists Association 2012 annual meeting in New Orleans.

FDA approved the first generic versions of Boniva (ibandronate) tablets, a once-monthly product to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause.

The final rule for Medicaid eligibility in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will ensure health coverage for millions of Americans, according to Friday's announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

FDA has approved a new indication for estradiol valerate and estradiol valerate/dienogest (Natazia, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals) tablets for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) that is not caused by any diagnosed conditions of the uterus.

Postmenopausal women with higher intake of trans fat were associated with a higher incidence of ischemic stroke but aspirin may reduce the adverse effects of trans fat, according to a new study

Continuing to work with FDA to ease the ongoing shortage of injectable methotrexate, APP Pharmaceuticals this week released another 10,000 vials of preservative-free methotrexate (Methotrexate Injection), a drug used in the treatment of pediatric oncology and hematology

ASHP continues to make solving the drug shortages problem a top priority.

What would happen if some future corporation decides it's more productive to revert back to the days of the typewriter?

Implementation of the "biosimilars" law is going well, but the exclusivity period seems to be a problem.

Walgreens' new "Well Experience" stores feature the pharmacist being out on the floor, and the concept is working very well.

Occasionally mergers receive the attention of Congress, especially when consumer welfare and jobs are at stake. A prime example: The proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.

Feet were the No. 1 body part to experience pain, even more so than the teeth or skin, survey responders admitted. Help is on the way.

The message: Experience finally matters.

The next decade will see a significant increase in the rate of practical applications for pharmacogenomics becoming available, and pharmacists will play a critical role in helping them benefit the patient.

Requiring prior authorization may have a broader impact than expected.

Readers speak out about the title of "Dr." and pharmacies in Canada.

Experts caution that many unregulated over-the-counter fish oil products have little benefit, with some having no benefit at all.

A survey of new Rx, new generic, and new OTC products

The Ohio commercial activity tax law ("CAT") is an annual tax on the privilege of doing business in Ohio.

Prescriptions could take on a new look if the Office of the Inspector General gets its way.

Technology is the pharmacist's toolbox. Here are some apps to help you extend your care.

The outcry from physicians, pharmacists, and patients over disruptions in supplies of vital medications continues to draw attention on Capitol Hill and throughout the healthcare system.

Two Long Island University pharmacists are reversing the usual course of MTM. Instead of waiting for patients and prescriptions to come to the pharmacy, they are taking MTM to patients.

The CDC found that just 4 classes of prescription drugs are responsible for more than two-thirds of drug-related hospitalizations in older patients.

One area that has remained cloudy for prescribers and patients is: "How much does this medication actually cost?"

FDA has approved alendronate sodium (Binosto, EffRx Pharmaceuticals) effervescent tablets, the first effervescent osteoporosis treatment in a buffered solution.

Teva/IVAX Pharmaceuticals gained FDA approval for the first generic version of Lexapro (Forest) to treat both depression and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. The company will have 180 days to exclusively sell the product.

The FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) released a new draft guidance on how it develops and classifies drug-safety issues.