Content about Health

December 7, 2010
White House: Health reform will save Medicare $3,500 per patient

WASHINGTON — Proclaiming the potential cost-saving benefits of its signature legislative accomplishment, the massive health-reform bill enacted earlier this year, the White House is projecting that the Affordable Care Act will reduce average costs per patient enrolled in Medicare by thousands of dollars over the next decade.


December 7, 2010
With new push, pharmacy groups seek inclusion in health reform’s ACOs

Independent and chain pharmacy groups are making a new push to stake a firm claim to the new healthcare system emerging with the health-reform law enacted earlier this year.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Independent and chain pharmacy groups are making a new push to stake a firm claim to the new healthcare system emerging with the health-reform law enacted earlier this year.

Weighing in on a major aspect of the new law, the independent pharmacy lobby is urging federal health officials to untangle government red tape that could prevent pharmacies from fully participating in newly created health-provider organizations.

December 6, 2010
ACRO specialty pharmacy symposium addresses market growth, health reform

The specialty pharmacy market is set to reach $90 billion this year, so it’s clear that managed care organizations have a lot at stake.

PHILADELPHIA — The specialty pharmacy market is set to reach $90 billion this year, so it’s clear that managed care organizations have a lot at stake.

That was the overarching theme at a symposium organized by specialty pharmacy provider ACRO Pharmaceutical Services, in conjunction with Armada Health Care, last Thursday at the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

December 6, 2010
DSE debuts new Anti Monkey Butt brand on Facebook

DSE Healthcare Solutions on Sunday evening announced the launch of Safari Towels, a new product extending from its Anti Monkey Butt Powder brand, to its Facebook fan base of almost 39,000.

EDISON, N.J. — DSE Healthcare Solutions on Sunday evening announced the launch of Safari Towels, a new product extending from its Anti Monkey Butt Powder brand, to its Facebook fan base of almost 39,000.

“Our new Safari Towels ... so hot off the presses they aren't even in stores yet!” the Anti Monkey Butt Powder status read. “Make a cool gift ... from cyclists to soldiers, [they're] great to have on hand for a ‘shower on the go.’ See them in our online store.”

December 6, 2010
Ian Read to replace Jeffrey Kindler as Pfizer's CEO

Pfizer president and CEO Jeffrey Kindler has retired from the company, the drug maker said Sunday. Ian Read, who currently heads Pfizer’s global biopharmaceutical operations and has worked for the company since 1978, will succeed him.

NEW YORK — Pfizer president and CEO Jeffrey Kindler has retired from the company, the drug maker said Sunday. Ian Read, who currently heads Pfizer’s global biopharmaceutical operations and has worked for the company since 1978, will succeed him.

Kindler cited personal reasons for retiring, saying his around-the-clock work schedule had been “extremely demanding” on him personally, and that he would take time to spend with his family before making his next moves.

December 6, 2010
Janet Carter-Smith named CHPA's RLSC chair

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association recently named GlaxoSmithKline veteran Janet Carter-Smith chair of the CHPA Retailer Liaison Steering Committee, effective Jan. 1.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association recently named GlaxoSmithKline veteran Janet Carter-Smith chair of the CHPA Retailer Liaison Steering Committee, effective Jan. 1.

Carter-Smith will be the third chair of this committee, succeeding David Howenstine, VP customer and industry development at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, whose term ends at the end of the year.

December 3, 2010
Gallup survey reaffirms pharmacists’ high standing

Community pharmacists still are among the nation’s most trusted professionals. That’s the finding from Gallup’s newly released "Honesty and Ethics" survey.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Community pharmacists still are among the nation’s most trusted professionals.

December 3, 2010
Medication adherence could be blockbuster for specialty

At Drug Store News’ Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable event last Tuesday, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy president and CEO Phil Hagerman remarked that improving medication adherence in specialty pharmacy could be equivalent to a new blockbuster drug. And he may be right.

December 3, 2010
Moving PSE to Rx-only in Mo. lacks fiscal sense

The forward-looking vision employed by Gov. Jay Nixon in exploring “next steps” in fighting methamphetamine abuse before even the last step has been put into place and enacted is, in a matter of speaking, extremely short-sighted. It doesn’t even make fiscal sense, because the National Precursor Log Exchange will do more to curb many of the costs associated with fighting meth addicts without conversely increasing the costs associated with fighting a cold. And truth be told, there are probably a lot more stuffy heads in Missouri than there are meth addicts.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The forward-looking vision employed by Gov. Jay Nixon in exploring “next steps” in fighting methamphetamine abuse before even the last step has been put into place and enacted is, in a matter of speaking, extremely short-sighted. It doesn’t even make fiscal sense, because the National Precursor Log Exchange will do more to curb many of the costs associated with fighting meth addicts without conversely increasing the costs associated with fighting a cold.

December 3, 2010
Pharmacy systems providers link up to offer improved prescriber verification

Integrated pharmacy systems provider PDX and Health Market Science, a leading source for health provider data and solutions, have teamed up to improve the accuracy and safety of the prescription verification process.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Integrated pharmacy systems provider PDX and Health Market Science, a leading source for health provider data and solutions, have teamed up to improve the accuracy and safety of the prescription verification process.

December 3, 2010
Spherix's diabetes drug may lower HbA1c levels among patients with higher BMIs

Good results from an investigational diabetes drug made by Spherix may result from higher body mass indexes among U.S. patients, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Thursday.

BETHESDA, Md. — Good results from an investigational diabetes drug made by Spherix may result from higher body mass indexes among U.S. patients, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Thursday.

Spherix said results of the phase-3 trial conducted among American and Indian patients indicated that D-tagatose may be more effective in lowering HbA1c levels due to Americans having higher BMIs on average than Indians.

December 3, 2010
Walgreens puts its money where its mouth is with World AIDS Day campaign

Pharmacy advocates are using every tool they can to spread the message that pharmacists bring a lot more than prescription services to the healthcare table. So how about a 341-ft. digital billboard looming above Times Square?

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Pharmacy advocates are using every tool they can to spread the message that pharmacists bring a lot more than prescription services to the healthcare table. So how about a 341-ft. digital billboard looming above Times Square?

December 2, 2010
CVS Caremark receives PBM, DTM accreditation from URAC

CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that it has been awarded pharmacy benefit management and drug therapy management accreditation from URAC, a healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the healthcare industry ...

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that it has been awarded pharmacy benefit management and drug therapy management accreditation from URAC, a healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the healthcare industry. CVS Caremark previously had received accreditation for PBM and DTM from URAC in 2007.

December 2, 2010
Makers of Centrum launch contest on LoveFeelingHealthy.com

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Thursday introduced a new contest from the makers of Centrum multivitamins at LoveFeelingHealthy.com ...

MADISON, N.J. — Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Thursday introduced a new contest from the makers of Centrum multivitamins at LoveFeelingHealthy.com. Participants there can nominate women who manage to stay energized this holiday season with a smile on their face.

Nominators can share how the special woman in their lives manages to be the ultimate host, party charmer, gift giver, cookie baker, etc. Participants are asked to submit 300 words that explain how that woman does it all.

December 2, 2010
Merck to acquire SmartCells

Merck announced on Thursday it has inked a deal to acquire an insulin maker.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., and BEVERLY, Mass. (Dec. 2) Merck announced on Thursday it has inked a deal to acquire an insulin maker.

December 2, 2010
Target reports blowout November

Same-store sales surged 5.5% at Target during November, exceeding the company’s guidance and analysts’ expectations for a low-single digit gain.

MINNEAPOLIS — Same-store sales surged 5.5% at Target during November, exceeding the company’s guidance and analysts’ expectations for a low-single digit gain. The company said the number of people shopping its stores as measured by transactions increased nearly 4% and average transaction sizes also were up slightly with broad-based growth throughout the store.

The company is looking for December comps to increase in the low- to mid-single digit range.

December 1, 2010
Annual NACDS Foundation dinner raises $1.76 million

The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores held its 12th annual dinner in New York on Tuesday, which generated $1.76 million for research, charitable efforts and scholarships.

NEW YORK — The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores held its 12th annual dinner in New York on Tuesday, which generated $1.76 million for research, charitable efforts and scholarships.

The NACDS Foundation said some of the funds were granted to those that sought to improve medication adherence -- understanding medication therapy and appropriately taking medications -- among patients. The foundation awarded a $1 million grant to National Consumer League’s public awareness campaign, which promotes medication adherence.

December 1, 2010
BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy: Services help boost adherence among patients

Nearly all surveyed patients using BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy’s services over the last six years adhered to their therapies, according to recent statistics.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Nearly all surveyed patients using BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy’s services over the last six years adhered to their therapies, according to recent statistics.

Quarterly data collected between 2004 and 2010 found that of 17,000 patients analyzed, compliance at the time of discharge was 92%.

December 1, 2010
Derma e continues support of Special Olympics

Derma e Natural Bodycare, a manufacturer of natural skin care products, has announced the continued support of the nonprofit Special Olympics Southern California.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Derma e Natural Bodycare, a manufacturer of natural skin care products, has announced the continued support of the nonprofit Special Olympics Southern California.

This year, in addition to contributing funds, Derma e supported Ventura County's 2010 Summer Dance that celebrated the completion of its summer games. The company donated skin care products with optimal levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and botanicals to help keep the athletes' skin healthy, nourished and protected while they played sports outdoors.

December 1, 2010
Endo completes Qualitest acquisition

Endo Pharmaceuticals has finished its acquisition of Qualitest Pharmaceuticals for $1.2 billion, Endo said Wednesday.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — Endo Pharmaceuticals has finished its acquisition of Qualitest Pharmaceuticals for $1.2 billion, Endo said Wednesday.

Endo had agreed to buy Qualitest, a privately owned manufacturer of generic drugs, on Dec. 28.

December 1, 2010
Humana Pharmacy Solutions receives URAC accreditation

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

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.

December 1, 2010
Senate moves to exempt pharmacies from ‘Red Flags’ credit reporting rule

Independent pharmacists are hailing a move in Congress to exempt pharmacies from burdensome accounting requirements imposed by the Federal Trade Commission.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Independent pharmacists are hailing a move in Congress to exempt pharmacies from burdensome accounting requirements imposed by the Federal Trade Commission.

November 30, 2010
Caltrate Soft Chews hit retail

On the same day that the Institute of Medicine increased the daily recommended intake of vitamin D to maintain bone health, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Tuesday announced the launch of Caltrate Soft Chews, which incorporate the higher daily recommended vitamin D goals.

MADISON, N.J. — On the same day that the Institute of Medicine increased the daily recommended intake of vitamin D to maintain bone health, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Tuesday announced the launch of Caltrate Soft Chews, which incorporate the higher daily recommended vitamin D goals.

November 30, 2010
Future of specialty pharmacy discussed at Drug Store News' Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable

Leaders in specialty pharmacy gathered in New York on Tuesday at the New York Athletic Club to attend the second annual Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable discussion presented by Drug Store News and Armada Health Care.

NEW YORK — Leaders in specialty pharmacy gathered in New York on Tuesday at the New York Athletic Club to attend the second annual Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable discussion presented by Drug Store News and Armada Health Care.

David Galardi, co-founder of Apogenics Inc., moderated the robust panel, which was comprised of Nick Calla of Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, John Musil of The Apothecary Shops, Tim Kaplan of Amber Pharmacy, Jeanne Ann Stasny of Walmart Specialty Pharmacy and Albert Thigpen of CVS Caremark, among others.

November 30, 2010
IOM weighs in on vitamin D, calcium intake

The Institute of Medicine on Tuesday issued a report on the dietary reference intake levels for vitamin D and calcium at the behest of both the U.S. and Canadian governments. IOM recommended a slight increase in vitamin D intake, but also suggested that the need for either vitamin D or calcium may be overstated.

WASHINGTON — The Institute of Medicine on Tuesday issued a report on the dietary reference intake levels for vitamin D and calcium at the behest of both the U.S. and Canadian governments. IOM recommended a slight increase in vitamin D intake, but also suggested that the need for either vitamin D or calcium may be overstated.