Content about Government

WASHINGTON — A bill that would expand the pool of patients who qualify for medication therapy management under Medicare was introduced to the House of Representatives Thursday with broad industry support. 

Health policy research group NEHI cites that only 50% of patients take their medications properly as prescribed by their doctor, which costs the nation more than $290 billion annually in avoidable health spending annually. 

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court will hear arguments later this month in a case that could determine the future of many patent settlements between brand and generic drug makers.

The high court will hear arguments in the case, Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, on March 25. The case was originally titled FTC v. Watson, but has changed since Watson Pharmaceuticals changed its name following its acquisition of Swiss generic drug maker Actavis.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

The Senate Finance Committee hearing, titled "Delivery System Reform: Progress Report from CMS," included Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

NEW YORK — The YMCA is sponsoring a diabetes-control program that some say could slow the disease's spread, according to published reports.

ARLINGTON, Va. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

WASHINGTON — A new health initiative will address cardiovascular disease among African-Americans living in three counties in Alabama where the problem is considered significant.

LANDOVER, Md. — A supermarket chain in the Washington area is marking Inauguration Day by donating lunches to the police officers assigned to guard it.

Ahold banner Giant Food of Landover, Md. — also known as Giant-Landover to distinguish it from fellow Ahold banner Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa. — said it would donate boxed lunches and water to the 5,000 officers of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police and National Park Service.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

ATLANTA — Medagate, a wholly owned subsidiary of InComm Holdings, on Monday announced the launch of the MasterCard Dual Value Health Card, the first dual network healthcare spending card. The Dual Value Health Card enables employers and health plans to combine a member/employee healthcare funding purse with a restricted-spend purse for targeted items and incentives.

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has introduced legislation that would give the state government broader power over compounding pharmacies, the governor's office announced.

NEW YORK — Wall Street on Wednesday celebrated the "fiscal cliff" compromise as stocks across the board were trading up by some 200 basis points. As of noon, the Dow was up 1.7% and Nasdaq 2.3%. 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives examined the meningitis outbreak this week, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores distinguished between the types of pharmacy compounding and the settings in which they take place, and emphasized the critical, life-saving benefits of pharmacy compounding.

NACDS stated that it has sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce — both of which held hearings on the outbreak on Nov. 14.