Content about Medical prescription

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Labs recalled two lots of a prescription painkiller due to the potential for oversized and overly potent tablets, the company said.

The drug maker announced the recall of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets in the 10 mg/500 mg strengths based on a customer complaint of tablets that were thicker and darker-colored than the others.

There is no doubt about it. Pharmacy audits can be time consuming and laborious for all parties involved. And as both government and commercial money gets tighter and tighter, all of health care is searching for the most effective means to manage the financial challenges associated with doing business. In addition to the clinical aspects, audits are used to identify genuinely fraudulent or erroneously paid healthcare claims.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — During this paramount election year, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ grassroots advocacy program — NACDS RxImpact — continues to demonstrate the importance of pharmacy advocates engaging on behalf of community pharmacy, NACDS has announced.

The interest in healthcare reform has reached a new high, especially in light of the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, yet there's no denying that consumers are still unclear as to the impact on their personal healthcare and insurance issues. That being said, Americans see a need for change as they battle rising costs and a lack of access to care, and many are saying "aye" to healthcare reform, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — VoicePort has launched its new appointment scheduler services application.

Part of the company's platform of unified patient communications, the app is a self-serve interface for patients to schedule a host of health-and-wellness appointments through a pharmacy's website.

Costs are the biggest concern for opponents of healthcare reform. They’ve done the math — additional healthcare consumers means care that’s both more expensive and harder to come by. As many as 3-in-4 consumers who are not big fans of healthcare reform share that concern — 30% of those consumers suggested it’s their greatest concern, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. A reduction in care quality was concern No.

When all things are equal — particularly, cost! — there is no doubt that satisfied pharmacy customers are fiercely loyal to their preferred stores. But like Cyndi Lauper once sang, "Money changes everything," particularly for the 32% of Patient Views respondents who said they would be willing to change pharmacies for a savings of $5 or less, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. How low will they go? Eight percent would switch for less than a buck.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Most advertisements for over-the-counter versions of drugs did contain significantly less information about the risks of the medication, compared with the ads for the drug prior to its transition to OTC status, according to new research sponsored by CVS Caremark.

The research, published in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, identified differences between consumer-directed advertisements for drugs when they are available by prescription only, compared with when they transition to OTC.

A satisfied customer could just offer the highest return on investment of any marketing vehicle available to a retail pharmacy, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. In all, 72% of patients say they would recommend their preferred pharmacy to their friends and family, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. And again, grocery stores finished at the top (80%).

Restricted pharmacy networks are becoming more prevalent, and mandatory mail has long been a threat, but the good news among Patient Views panelists is that more than 8-out-of-10 say their insurance allows them to go to the pharmacy of their choice, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Stay tuned this week, as Patient Views further explores pharmacy satisfaction and what it would take to get them to break allegiances and switch pharmacies.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced that it has joined with a group of public and private sector partners and will sponsor the "The Medicine Abuse Project," a multiyear effort by The Partnership at Drugfree.org to raise awareness and curb the abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines. The project's goal is to prevent half a million teens from abusing medicines over the next five years.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — While regulations meant to control the prices of drugs dispensed through physician offices for injured workers can keep costs down without limiting access, employers in many states may end up paying more than twice what they would have if the workers had gone to a pharmacy instead, according to a new study.