Health System

Because of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks, NSAIDS are no longer recommended for long-term use. No single drug or therapy is regarded as the ideal long-term treatment for osteoarthritis.

Wyeth will begin marketing its new serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

Thirteen percent of all eligible prescriptions are transmitted electronically in Massachusetts.

Here is a listing of brand pharmaceuticals that will lose their patents through 2009.

Cubist Pharmaceuticals finds impurity in reconstituted daptomycin

Pfizer revises package insert after reports of lung cancer in patients receiving their inhaled insulin.

DEA is proposing to consider ANPP as a precursor to fentanyl and to classify it as a Schedule II controlled substance.

The FDA and Institute for Safe Medication Practices report that many drug errors are still occurring with Cerebyx because many hospital staffers are misreading the drug concentration.

Rite Aid is partnering with MedStar Health and Consumer Health Services to launch in-store clinics in select Rite Aid stores.

HospiScript Services, a provider of pharmacy medication therapy management services to hospices has been acquired by HealthExtras

The Midwest wholesaler McQueary Brothers has agreed to be acquired by McKesson Corp.for $190 million.

Novartis is set to pay as much as $39 biliion to buy a controlling stake in Alcon, a Houston company that dominates the eye care market.

Bristol-Myers Squibb granted approval for arthritis biologic Orencia.

Comprehensive Pharmacy Services to buy McKesson Medication Management.

WellPoint Next Rx pilots OTC generic program with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to help offset out-of-pocket costs for members.

Eisai has produced a report on how seniors feel about their pharmacy, drug plan, and related subjects.

A Drug Topics survey finds that most think FDA could use more funding to redress its deficiencies.

GlaxoSmithKline's vaccine, Rotarix, receives approval for use in children.

Several more chains launch $4 generics, including Ralphs and Fred Meyer.

Shire launches initiative for chronic kidney disease patients.

A listing by the New York Times shows that CVS' CEO made more than $17 million and Walgreens' CEO made more than $5 million last year.

Miami Medicare billing service owner sentenced to 10 years in prison for Medicare fraud.

Disruptions in switching low-income Medicare Part D patients from one drug plan to another will be reduced as a result of a new rule issued by CMS.

Final rule establishes standards for: formulary and benefits, medication history, fill status notification, and provider identifier

Rite Aid pharmacists offer Allergy Guide to help patients get through allergy season.

GlaxoSmithKline updates Warnings and Precautions sections of zanamivir prescribing information

Graymark Healthcare announces the purchase of two independent pharmacies, upping its store count to 14.

Alegent Health is partnering with eq-Life and Fairview Pharmacy Services to grow its retail pharmacies.

NCPA, FBI LEEDA, Purdue Pharma L.P. program will promote improving pharmacy safety and security.

Health Mart launches mobile wellness tour to provide free health screenings in Midwest markets.