Health System

Healthcare providers who know how to effectively deal with patients' ambivalence and resistance have adherence rates that are five times higher than healthcare providers who are in an information-giving mode. This message was delivered by Bruce Berger, Ph.D., R.Ph., head and professor of pharmacy care systems, Auburn University, to attendees of the Food Marketing Institute's supermarket pharmacy conference, held recently in Las Vegas.

CVS/pharmacy has installed a new system that provides consumers with receipts that track their spending with FSAs and HSAs.

Pfizer hopes to stave off the genericization of Lipitor by a year via a deal with Ranbaxy.

Hospitals must meet new standards the Joint Commission has set up for 2009.

Kerr Drug, KDI Health Solutions, and HealthTrans are joining to provide a unique pharmacy benefits plan to North Carolina employers.

A medication therapy management software system has added a new tool to diagnose rhinitis.

Presbyterian College of South Carolina has named Richard Stull as the dean for its pharmacy school that is slated to open in 2010.

Allergan, Trivaris, retinal diseases, vision loss, ocular

Increased mortality risk warning necessary for off-label use of antipsychotics.

Depression drug Cymbalta approved for treating fibromyalgia pain.

FDA approves extended-release formulation of ropinirole for Parkinson's disease.

Ethex has voluntarily recalled additional lots of morphine tablets since they may be oversized.

OIG has released a report on FDA's generic drug review process.

Humana members in areas affected by flooding or fires can get their refills filled earlier than usual.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will speed up its processing of low-income subsidy eligibility claims processing.

Safewy has launched a $4 generic prescription drug discount program in eastern U.S. and Chicago areas.

Medical Services Co. has agreed to sell its workers' comp business to Express Scripts.

Pharmacy directors can consult a new white paper to learn how to prepare for a Joint Commission survey on environment of care.

NCPA issued a statement regarding the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

An investigation by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has found expired products at many New York drugstores.

A new software system, called CoagClinic, is helping hospitals manage their patients on anticoagulation therapy.

Sen. Henry Waxman holds a hearing on what can be done to curb hospital infections

Medtronic's recent recall of its implantable infusion systems underscores the need for health professionals to watch for inflammatory masses.

This special report takes a look at the atrial fibrillation drugs in the pipeline.

The AAN annual meeting in Chicago, researchers reported advances in treatments for a variety of neurological diseases

Patients who are taking opioids to relieve their severe pain and who are constipated can now use the new drug Relistor.

A final rule from CMS makes no requirements for a pharmacist to be part of the dialysis team, creating concern among hospital pharmacists.

New indications, formulations, drugs, generics and over the counter products

Three new initiatives are pushing electronic medical records like never before.

NACDS and NCPA respond to new CMS rules on e-prescribing.