Latebreakers: September 18, 2006

Court rules compounding is a legal practice

Biotech and generic drugs growing fastest, says IMS

NACDS identifies its priorities

There are four big issues NACDS is fighting hard for, according to the association's chairman, Anthony Civello. They include: redesigning Medicare Part D to make it more pharmacy-friendly, preventing further Medicaid reimbursement cutbacks, preserving TRICARE beneficiaries' access to community pharmacy, and pushing for dispensing fees to cover professional services. Elaborating on the TRICARE issue, Bob Hannan, interim NACDS president, said if the military decision goes against community pharmacies, they could lose $1.5 billion in prescription sales annually. He added that community pharmacies have been blitzing Congress about this issue and will continue to do so after the Labor Day recess. Civello and Hannan spoke at the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference last month.

Who will apply as accreditor of DME providers?

CMS believes it will get enough organizations applying to serve as accrediting organizations for its Medicare Part B DME program by its Oct. 2 deadline, said agency official Linda D. Smith, at the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference. While the CMS senior policy analyst would not disclose who has applied, industry insiders believe JCAHO, NABP, some state pharmacy boards, CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program), and others will throw their hats into the ring.