Content about Government

January 30, 2012
NACDS, NCPA urge guidance for states on Medicaid reimbursements

Two groups representing the retail pharmacy industry are urging the federal government to provide guidance to the states on how to adjust Medicaid dispensing fees to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Two groups representing the retail pharmacy industry are urging the federal government to provide guidance to the states on how to adjust Medicaid dispensing fees to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

January 27, 2012
Harvard doctor calls for greater supplement regulation in NEJM

The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday published an op-ed online that called for more rule-making to govern dietary supplements in an effort to rein in the criminal activity of illicit prescription drug manufacturers that openly disregard the laws currently in effect.

WASHINGTON — The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday published an op-ed online that called for more rule-making to govern dietary supplements in an effort to rein in the criminal activity of illicit prescription drug manufacturers that openly disregard the laws currently in effect.

January 20, 2012
Challenges and opportunities abound as generic wave hits the shore

One analysis report after another seems to confirm that the generic drug market is in for a huge shift as the number of blockbuster drugs losing patent protection is set to dwindle over the next several years. A recent report by Frost & Sullivan seems to confirm that sentiment.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One analysis report after another seems to confirm that the generic drug market is in for a huge shift as the number of blockbuster drugs losing patent protection is set to dwindle over the next several years. A recent report by Frost & Sullivan seems to confirm that sentiment.

January 19, 2012
NCPA seeks special enrollment period for Part D patients from CMS

The National Community Pharmacists Association is calling for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow senior patients to enroll in a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan via a special enrollment period, particularly if patients believe that "material misrepresentations" led them to sign up for a "preferred network" plan with inadequate pharmacy access.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association is calling for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow senior patients to enroll in a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan via a special enrollment period, particularly if patients believe that "material misrepresentations" led them to sign up for a "preferred network" plan with inadequate pharmacy access.

January 10, 2012
Sens. Conrad, Snowe raise bipartisan concerns over draft lists of Medicaid drug FULs

In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with 12 of their colleagues, have expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists for Medicaid generic drug reimbursement that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with 12 of their colleagues, have expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists for Medicaid generic drug reimbursement that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association commended the Senators for the effort.

January 9, 2012
CVS Caremark looks to purchase Health Net's stand-alone Medicare Part D Rx drug plan business

CVS Caremark has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business from Health Net for approximately $160 million in cash.

LOS ANGELES and WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business from Health Net for approximately $160 million in cash.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, including approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

January 6, 2012
Senior advocacy group publicly requests ESI to settle Walgreens dispute

RetireSafe, a 400,000-supporter strong grassroots organization that advocates and educates on behalf of America's seniors on issues regarding Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being, on Friday issued a press release urging Express Scripts to return to the negotiating table and come to an agreement with Walgreens.

WASHINGTON — RetireSafe, a 400,000-supporter strong grassroots organization that advocates and educates on behalf of America's seniors on issues regarding Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being, on Friday issued a press release urging Express Scripts to return to the negotiating table and come to an agreement with Walgreens.

January 3, 2012
Job listing for Geisinger Health System — smokers need not apply

Geisinger Health System may be the largest employer to discriminate against a declining minority — smokers — beginning Feb. 1.

DANVILLE, Pa. — Geisinger Health System may be the largest employer to discriminate against a declining minority — smokers — beginning Feb. 1.

Geisinger last week announced it will no longer hire job applicants who use tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and chewing or smokeless tobacco.

December 19, 2011
Prescription drug access remained stable between 2007 and 2010, study finds

One-in-eight Americans didn't fill prescriptions last year because they couldn't afford to, but despite difficulties with the economy, that proportion remained level, according to a new study conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

WASHINGTON — One-in-eight Americans didn't fill prescriptions last year because they couldn't afford to, but despite difficulties with the economy, that proportion remained level, according to a new study conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

December 15, 2011
NACDS, NCPA commend Reps. Rogers, Braley for concern over draft FUL lists

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association issued a statement on Thursday announcing that they commend Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa; Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; and 38 of their colleagues who expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association issued a statement on Thursday announcing that they commend Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa; Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; and 38 of their colleagues who expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

December 12, 2011
FDA releases draft of GDUFA goals

Following months of meetings and negotiations with the drug and chemical industries, the Food and Drug Administration has released a draft of the goals of the Generic Drug User Fee Act.

WASHINGTON — Following months of meetings and negotiations with the drug and chemical industries, the Food and Drug Administration has released a draft of the goals of the Generic Drug User Fee Act.

December 8, 2011
GPhA appoints new executive

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has appointed a new executive who will help guide the organization's newly created research and education institute.

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has appointed a new executive who will help guide the organization's newly created research and education institute.

The organization announced Thursday the appointment of Ahaviah Glaser as VP policy and strategic alliances. Glaser previously was a member of AARP's government affairs team.

December 5, 2011
A&P takes key step toward completing financial restructuring

Bankrupt grocer A&P has announced that the Locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union have ratified modifications to the collective bargaining agreements with the company — a key step toward completing the company’s financial restructuring.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P has announced that the Locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union have ratified modifications to the collective bargaining agreements with the company — a key step toward completing the company’s financial restructuring.

December 5, 2011
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 12/12/11

Following the settlement of a patent-litigation suit with Swiss drug maker Novartis over the patch Vivelle-Dot (estradiol transdermal system), a drug for treating symptoms of menopause, Mylan said it had received a patent license to begin selling its version of the drug in December 2013.


SUPPLIER NEWS — Following the settlement of a patent-litigation suit with Swiss drug maker Novartis over the patch Vivelle-Dot (estradiol transdermal system), a drug for treating symptoms of menopause, Mylan said it had received a patent license to begin selling its version of the drug in December 2013.


The Pittsburgh-based generic drug maker was the first to file for regulatory approval of the drug with the Food and Drug Administration, and as such will be entitled to 180 days of 
market exclusivity.


December 1, 2011
Warner Chilcott sues Mylan, Famy Care over Generess Fe patent challenge

Generic drug maker Mylan and a partnering company are challenging the patent on a contraceptive drug.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan and a partnering company are challenging the patent on a contraceptive drug.

Mylan said Thursday that it and Famy Care had been sued by Warner Chilcott in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey following their filing of a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol chewable tablets and ferrous fumarate chewable tablets, a generic version of Warner Chilcott's Generess Fe.

November 28, 2011
Berwick steps down from post as CMS administrator

The Obama administration confirmed last week that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Donald Berwick will step down from his post on Dec. 2.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration confirmed last week that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Donald Berwick will step down from his post on Dec. 2.

Berwick, who was nominated to the position by President Obama in April 2010, was supposed to lead the agency through the end of the year as part of his recess appointment.

Marilyn Tavenner, CMS principal deputy administrator, will succeed Berwick, according to a statement made by Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

November 28, 2011
FDA files permanent injunction against ATF Fitness Products

The Food and Drug Administration last week took legal action against the dietary supplement manufacturer ATF Fitness Products for substituting ingredients and products without noting the changes on the final product labels.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration last week took legal action against the dietary supplement manufacturer ATF Fitness Products for substituting ingredients and products without noting the changes on the final product labels.

The permanent injunction, filed on behalf of the FDA by the U.S. Department of Justice, would stop the defendants from making and distributing more than 400 products for being in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Brands include Sci-Fit, Nature's Science and For Store Only.

November 22, 2011
Provider groups file lawsuit to battle Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cuts

The recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prompted provider groups to file a lawsuit against the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the cuts did not follow proper legal channels.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prompted provider groups to file a lawsuit against the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the cuts did not follow proper legal channels.

November 21, 2011
NCPA expresses concerns over restricted-network plans

Many so-called restricted-network Medicare Part D prescription drug plans don't give adequate pharmacy access to rural residents and are deceptively marketed to patients, the National Community Pharmacists Association said Monday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Many so-called restricted-network Medicare Part D prescription drug plans don't give adequate pharmacy access to rural residents and are deceptively marketed to patients, the National Community Pharmacists Association said Monday.

The plans include those offered by a number of national retail chains and health insurers.

November 17, 2011
SXC buys HealthTrans for $250 million

Pharmacy benefit manager SXC Health Solutions is buying PBM service company HealthTrans for $250 million, SXC said Thursday.

LISLE, Ill. — Pharmacy benefit manager SXC Health Solutions is buying PBM service company HealthTrans for $250 million, SXC said Thursday.

Based in Colorado with additional offices in Illinois, Florida and Georgia, HealthTrans provides PBM and healthcare information technology services to about 260 clients, and its PBM business includes a suite of PBM offerings, such as nationwide retail network, formulary and rebate management, Medicare Part D services and mail order.

November 15, 2011
GPhA urges congressional super committee not to ban patent settlements

The generic drug lobby is stepping up its efforts to persuade the congressional super committee to avoid adopting rules that would ban some patent settlements between branded and generic drug makers.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug lobby is stepping up its efforts to persuade the congressional super committee to avoid adopting rules that would ban some patent settlements between branded and generic drug makers.

November 11, 2011
Legislation aimed at closing tax loophole receives NACDS endorsement

Legislation that would level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers, including pharmacies, by closing a loophole that puts them at a disadvantage with online retailers has received praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Legislation that would level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers, including pharmacies, by closing a loophole that puts them at a disadvantage with online retailers has received praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wy., is the sponsor of the Marketplace Fairness Act and serves as the ranking Republican member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

November 10, 2011
Study: On-site clinics can help public employers curb healthcare costs

With the cost of employee healthcare benefits on the rise, public employers are under increased pressure to contain costs while also providing benefits that help them maintain a healthy work force and attract the best employees. One solution to consider: on-site health clinics, according to a recently released study.

NEW YORK — With the cost of employee healthcare benefits on the rise, public employers are under increased pressure to contain costs while also providing benefits that help them maintain a healthy work force and attract the best employees. One solution to consider: on-site health clinics, according to a recently released study.

November 10, 2011
Survey: U.S. adults struggle to pay medical bills, forgo recommended care due to cost

More than 1-out-of-4 U.S. adults were unable to pay or encountered problems paying medical bills in the past year, according to a new survey published by the Commonwealth Fund.

CHICAGO — More than 1-out-of-4 U.S. adults were unable to pay or encountered problems paying medical bills in the past year, according to a new survey published by the Commonwealth Fund.

November 10, 2011
Surveys: HSA utilization on the rise

Employers and consumers alike are adopting health savings accounts as a viable way to manage their healthcare costs without compromising care, according to two national surveys released Thursday.

DALLAS — Employers and consumers alike are adopting health savings accounts as a viable way to manage their healthcare costs without compromising care, according to two national surveys released Thursday.