Health System

Traditionally, generics industry executives are tight-lipped about their business plans. But Drug Topics managed to corral five industry leaders who opened up about their hopes, fears, and challenges:

Are $4 generics the future of pharmacy? Perhaps so, as the consumption of generic drugs soars and their costs drop. Wal-Mart, which beat a thorny path to what many pharmacists believe is loss-leader pricing, says $4 was a great move. It is very popular-and good for business.

MIPPA law delays implementation of Medicaid's average manufacturers price for generic drugs until Oct. 1, 2009.

The evolution of MRSA has led to reduced efficacy of vancomycin therapy.

Reimbursement for radiopharmaceuticals will be maintained at the 2007 rate through Jan. 1, 2010, thanks to the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

NACDS backs legislation to adopt health information technology.

A new electronic version of the 222 ordering system is poised to help hospitals streamline the order prescribing process for Schedule II controlled substances.

Medication management and safety errors were prominent topics at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists summer meeting in June.

Of more than 4,000 cancer studies presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, those exploring effects of targeted therapy cetuximab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy generated the most buzz.

Even as hospital pharmacists are struggling to meet previous mandates, the Joint Commission has released 2009 National Patient Safety Goals, including revisions to medication reconciliation.

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 drugs, dosage, indications, generics, and over-the-counter products for sale in pharmacies.

Information technology for pharmacy is allowing more efficiencies and supporting more services, according to two chain executives.

Nearly 600 companies exhibited thousands of products at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace in San Diego.

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.

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.

Physicians would have the choice of doling out electronic prescriptions for controlled substances with a proposed regulation from the DEA.

Survey showed that salaries of retail staff pharmacists have risen 5.8% in 2008.

Teva plans to acquire Barr for $7.6 billion; Roche plans to take over Genentech at $89 a share

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.

Customers can join its rewards club at a one-time fee of $10.

Clean and sober for eight years now, he candidly shares details about his life and his journey to recovery.

Customers in the program will get a 10% discount coupon after every five prescriptions filled.

The Redi Rx point-of-care dispensing business unit of Diversified Healthcare Services was purchased.

Company unveiled its offerings at its 19th annual retail business conference this week in Orlando.

Alliance is designed to enable more effective product messages.

Findings are covered in Express Scripts' 2007 Workers' Compensation Drug Trend Report.

The purchase price is $7.6 billion.

The largest pay increase (8.1%) has been for pharmacy team managers.

Terms weren't disclosed.