Content about Ethics

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Many American consumers are in favor of oral contraceptive coverage by both private and government-subsidized health insurance plans, according to a Thomson Reuters-National Press Radio Health Poll released Friday.

"Our survey findings provide a benchmark for public sentiment on issues that are continually dividing lawmakers, businesspeople and healthcare professionals," said Raymond Fabius, chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Tuesday the release of its 2010 corporate social responsibility report, which provides an overview of the company's commitments to environmental stewardship, improving patient health outcomes and positively impacting people's lives through its social investments.

The report, titled "Innovation, Leadership, Commitment," marks the company's fourth annual CSR report, which is available online at Info.cvscaremark.com/CSR.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Commenting on a counterfeit pharmaceutical inter-agency working group report, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores stressed that it shares the goal of improving the public awareness of the risks posed from counterfeit drugs and unlawful online drug sellers, but expressed concern over the report's proposal to mandate a "track-and-trace" system in the United States, given the high cost it could pose for pharmacies.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has made the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2011 list, the retail chain said Thursday.

Target said the institute, an international business ethics organization, honored Target for business practices and initiatives that benefit the community. This is the fifth consecutive year in which the company has won the award.

WASHINGTON — Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, introduced new legislation that seeks to curb prescription drug theft through strengthened penalties and additional tools for law enforcement.

If approved, the legislation would:

• Increase possible sentences for robbing pharmacies of controlled substances;

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday announced it would be distributing free nicotine replacement therapy kits beginning on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, to help Pennsylvanians who want to give up tobacco “in the name of love.”

Under the Quit for Love campaign, the kits will be available through the state's Free Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) for approximately six to eight weeks, or while supplies last.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Certain tobacco products introduced to the market or changed after Feb. 15, 2007, are subject to enhanced scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration, the agency said Wednesday.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The very substantial decrease in teen smoking that began in the mid-1990s has come to a halt among younger teens in the United States, and some evidence of a possible increase in their smoking was observed this year, announced researchers that were part of the "Monitoring the Future" study on Tuesday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana's pharmacy benefit management business has been awarded pharmacy benefit management accreditation from a nonprofit healthcare accrediting organization.

Humana Pharmacy Solutions was awarded full pharmacy benefit management accreditation by URAC. URAC standards require companies to demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.

WASHINGTON The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday announced its support behind the passage of H.R. 5932, the Organized Retail Theft Investigation and Prosecution Act, signaling that it “provides a good first step toward effectively addressing organized retail crime by establishing a dedicated office within the [U.S.] Department of Justice to work with state and local law enforcement.”

PARSIPPANY, N.J. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is urging the Food and Drug Administration to remove smokeless tobacco products from the market.