Content about Health & Wellness

March 9, 2011
NCPA emphasizes Dispose My Meds program during Patient Safety Awareness Week

In line with Patient Safety Awareness Week, which began Sunday, the National Community Pharmacists Association is encouraging patients to properly dispose of their expired or unused medications safely and effectively.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In line with Patient Safety Awareness Week, which began Sunday, the National Community Pharmacists Association is encouraging patients to properly dispose of their expired or unused medications safely and effectively.

March 9, 2011
NCPA's Jaeger responds to federal report identifying Medicare Part D overpayments

A report by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General found that beneficiary premiums in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program are higher than than they should be, due to overpayments to plan sponsors, including pharmacy benefit managers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A report by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General found that beneficiary premiums in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program are higher than than they should be, due to overpayments to plan sponsors, including pharmacy benefit managers.

March 9, 2011
New bill looks to crack down on Rx theft, receives support from PSM

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.

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;

March 9, 2011
Purdue offers grant to fund Fla. Rx monitoring program

Drug maker Purdue Pharma is giving a $1 million grant to the state of Florida to help fund the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, the company said Wednesday.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Drug maker Purdue Pharma is giving a $1 million grant to the state of Florida to help fund the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, the company said Wednesday.

Purdue said the program was designed to combat illegal diversion and abuse of prescription drugs. Purdue is the maker of OxyContin (oxycodone), an extended-release opioid painkiller that often is a target of abuse.

March 9, 2011
Pyott steps in as Allergan's president

Allergan reappointed David Pyott as president earlier this week, adding to his role as chairman and CEO. Pyott will succeed Michael Ball, who has accepted the position of CEO at Hospira, a specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, Allergan reported.

IRVINE, Calif. — Allergan reappointed David Pyott as president earlier this week, adding to his role as chairman and CEO. Pyott will succeed Michael Ball, who has accepted the position of CEO at Hospira, a specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, Allergan reported.

The changeover takes place March 27.

March 9, 2011
Survey: NACo Rx discount cardholders save bundles

Patients that participated in a prescription discount card program created by the National Association of Counties saved more than $107 million on their medications in 2010, a new survey released by CVS Caremark and NACo found.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., and WASHINGTON —  Patients that participated in a prescription discount card program created by the National Association of Counties saved more than $107 million on their medications in 2010, a new survey released by CVS Caremark and NACo found.

What's more, CVS Caremark and NACo noted, the average discount per prescription was about 24%.

March 9, 2011
Target expands clinic presence

Target Clinic is slated to open eight new locations in three markets.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Clinic is slated to open eight new locations in three markets.

The clinics will open in Target stores in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale-Davie areas by the end of July, bringing the total clinic count to 44. The first new Target Clinic location opened March 2 in Minnesota.

Target said expanding its clinic business will increase access to healthcare services.

March 9, 2011
Third annual NACDS RxImpact Day in full swing

Capitol Hill will turn into a sea of white lab coats Wednesday and Thursday as more than 350 pharmacy advocates from almost 40 states visit Washington for the third annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores RxImpact Day, NACDS said Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Capitol Hill will turn into a sea of white lab coats Wednesday and Thursday as more than 350 pharmacy advocates from almost 40 states visit Washington for the third annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores RxImpact Day, NACDS said Wednesday.

The event will include pharmacy and retail executives, division and store managers, pharmacists, pharmacy school deans and students advocating on behalf of pharmacy to members of Congress.

March 9, 2011
Tris seeks FDA OK for allergy treatment for kids

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

Tris said that if approved, its carbinoxamine extended-release oral suspension would provide an alternative to currently available immediate-release formulations.

March 9, 2011
Walgreens says farewell to PBM business

Walgreens on Wednesday sold its pharmacy benefit management business, Walgreens Health Initiatives, to Catalyst Health Solutions in a cash transaction for $525 million, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is structured as an acquisition of all of the capital stock of WHI.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday sold its pharmacy benefit management business, Walgreens Health Initiatives, to Catalyst Health Solutions in a cash transaction for $525 million, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is structured as an acquisition of all of the capital stock of WHI.

March 9, 2011
Watson promotes two SVPs

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has promoted two executives to EVP, the company said Wednesday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has promoted two executives to EVP, the company said Wednesday.

The company gave the promotions to SVP, general counsel and secretary David Buchen and SVP and CFO R. Todd Joyce. Both will continue to report to CEO Paul Bisaro.

March 8, 2011
HealthOneMed debuts Dispense-a-Pill

HealthOneMed has launched a device that combines the abilities of pillboxes, reminders, dispensers and medication alerts into one.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — HealthOneMed has launched a device that combines the abilities of pillboxes, reminders, dispensers and medication alerts into one.

March 8, 2011
Kellogg's, Action for Healthy Kids go head-to-head with hunger

Kellogg's has teamed up with nonprofit and volunteer network Action for Healthy Kids to launch the Share Your Breakfast program, designed to encourage Americans to help children who might otherwise go without breakfast.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg's has teamed up with nonprofit and volunteer network Action for Healthy Kids to launch the Share Your Breakfast program, designed to encourage Americans to help children who might otherwise go without breakfast.

From now until July 31, Kellogg's and Action for Healthy Kids — whose goal is to fight childhood obesity and undernourishment by helping schools become healthier places — are asking consumers to either share a breakfast photo or description in a variety of ways, including:

March 8, 2011
Merz offers Xeomin users financial assistance with new programs

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Merz Pharmaceuticals has created two programs to provide financial assistance to patients using its drug for cervical dystonia, the company said Tuesday.

The programs — the Xeomin patient co-payment program and the Xeomin patient assistance program — cover Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), designed to decrease the severity of abnormal head positions and neck pains in patients with the disease, which causes muscle contractions resulting in repetitive movements and abnormal postures.

March 8, 2011
New diabetes drug accepted for review by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a Type 2 diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, the two drug makers said Tuesday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a Type 2 diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, the two drug makers said Tuesday.

The FDA accepted the application for dapagliflozin, an investigational drug for adults with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1-in-11 U.S. adults has diabetes, with 90% to 95% of them having Type 2 diabetes.

The agency expects to take action on the application in late October.

March 8, 2011
Salix issued CRL for Xifaxan

The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Salix Pharmaceuticals for irritable bowel syndrome, Salix said Tuesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Salix Pharmaceuticals for irritable bowel syndrome, Salix said Tuesday.

The FDA issued a complete response letter to Salix for Xifaxan (rifaximin), a treatment for nonconstipation IBS and IBS-related bloating. Salix said it had anticipated that it would receive the letter based on an understanding that the agency needed more information related to retreatment.

March 8, 2011
Stop Bugging Me! addresses bed bug issues

Amid reports of a nationwide bed bug outbreak, a new pesticide-free solution has hit the market.

MASHPEE, Mass. — Amid reports of a nationwide bed bug outbreak, a new pesticide-free solution has hit the market.

Stop Bugging Me!, a natural bed bug treatment designed for at-home and commercial use, can be sprayed directly onto any detergent-safe upholstery, including bedding, linens and clothing, killing bed bugs and their eggs. Stop Bugging Me! includes such natural, active ingredients as 2-phenethyl propionate (a natural insecticide), eugenol, sodium lauryl sulfate, geraniol and cinnamon oil with aromatic bark.

March 8, 2011
UltiMed introduces 50-count needles offering for diabetes patients

UltiMed is offering 50-count pen needles for patients with diabetes, the company announced.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — UltiMed is offering 50-count pen needles for patients with diabetes, the company announced.

The company said the needles would give diabetes patients a high-quality and cost-effective option for their pen needle supplies. Before, pen needles were dispensed in quantities of 100.

UltiMed said its needles, manufactured in its De Smet, S.D., factory, are the only ones assembled in the United States.

March 8, 2011
Walgreens' Pegus to present during colloquium session

Cheryl Pegus, chief medical officer at Walgreens, will make a presentation during the 11th annual Population Health and Care Coordination Colloquium in Philadelphia next week.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cheryl Pegus, chief medical officer at Walgreens, will make a presentation during the 11th annual Population Health and Care Coordination Colloquium in Philadelphia next week.

Pegus, who was named the drug store chain's chief medical officer last May, will present during the “Impact and Value of Pharmacist Interventions in Different Settings” session, which will examine the growing role pharmacists are playing in improving clinical outcomes through interventions at community pharmacies and employer worksite health clinics, Walgreens said.

March 7, 2011
Genzyme's board recommends shareholders OK Sanofi offer

The board of directors of Genzyme unanimously recommended that shareholders accept French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis’ $74-per-share buyout offer, Genzyme said Monday.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The board of directors of Genzyme unanimously recommended that shareholders accept French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis’ $74-per-share buyout offer, Genzyme said Monday.

Genzyme recently accepted Sanofi’s $20.1 billion offer for the Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech company. Sanofi had sought to buy the company since last July, when it offered $18.5 billion, or $69 per share.

March 7, 2011
GNC making push into mass market

General Nutrition is looking to get into the health diagnostics business with Monday’s announcement of a licensing agreement with technology and consumer products manufacturer Sakar International on a line of more than two dozen branded health-and-wellness products.

CHICAGO — General Nutrition is looking to get into the health diagnostics business with Monday’s announcement of a licensing agreement with technology and consumer products manufacturer Sakar International on a line of more than two dozen branded health-and-wellness products.

The announcement comes on the heels of another distribution agreement brokered by GNC: distribution of its GNC-branded supplements through approximately 400 Sam’s Club locations.

March 7, 2011
Keryx to present phase-3 clinical data for Zerenex at conference

Late-stage clinical trial data for a Keryx Biopharmaceuticals drug to treat kidney disease will be presented at a medical conference in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK — Late-stage clinical trial data for a Keryx Biopharmaceuticals drug to treat kidney disease will be presented at a medical conference in Las Vegas.

Keryx said Monday that phase-3 data for the drug Zerenex (ferric citrate), a drug for abnormally high phosphate levels in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis, will be presented at the upcoming National Kidney Foundation spring clinical meetings in April.

The company announced “positive” results from a phase-3 trial of the drug in November.

March 7, 2011
NPA celebrates 75th anniversary

The Natural Products Association last week celebrated 75 years of advocacy for the natural products industry.

WASHINGTON — The Natural Products Association last week celebrated 75 years of advocacy for the natural products industry.

March 7, 2011
Texas Health and Human Services Commission to modernize Medicaid program

The agency that operates Texas’ state Medicaid program is proposing to save costs by administering prescription drug benefits the same way private insurers do, drawing praise from a trade group representing the country’s pharmacy benefit managers.

WASHINGTON — The agency that operates Texas’ state Medicaid program is proposing to save costs by administering prescription drug benefits the same way private insurers do, drawing praise from a trade group representing the country’s pharmacy benefit managers.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which runs the program, said the change would save state taxpayers $82 million. Similar changes have been proposed in New York and New Jersey.

March 7, 2011
Walmart exec elected chair of health, benefits group

Walmart’s U.S. VP benefits, Chris McSwain, was elected chairman of the Integrated Benefits Institute, the organization announced Monday.

SAN FRANCISCO — Walmart’s U.S. VP benefits, Chris McSwain, was elected chairman of the Integrated Benefits Institute, the organization announced Monday.

“Chris McSwain has played an important leadership role in the health benefits community, and we look forward to his continued leadership with IBI,” said Thomas Parry, president of the nonprofit health and productivity research organization.