Content about Medicinal chemistry

April 14, 2011
NCPA: Pharmacists can help combat Rx drug abuse

Local pharmacists work with patients and law enforcement to combat the abuse of controlled substances and other prescription drugs, but changes to federal policy are needed to allow pharmacists to play a greater role, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested Thursday in comments submitted to Congress.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Local pharmacists work with patients and law enforcement to combat the abuse of controlled substances and other prescription drugs, but changes to federal policy are needed to allow pharmacists to play a greater role, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested Thursday in comments submitted to Congress.

April 14, 2011
Prescription Solutions introduces Value Network

A pharmacy benefit management organization has introduced a pharmacy network that includes about 20,000 pharmacies across the United States.

IRVINE, Calif. — A pharmacy benefit management organization has introduced a pharmacy network that includes about 20,000 pharmacies across the United States.

Prescription Solutions said its Value Network now is available to clients of any size, including employers, unions, public agencies and coalitions.

April 7, 2011
NCPA to Texas government: Contain Medicaid costs by utilizing community pharmacists

Texas policymakers seeking to contain Medicaid costs should utilize community pharmacists to achieve both savings and optimal health outcomes, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested on Thursday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Texas policymakers seeking to contain Medicaid costs should utilize community pharmacists to achieve both savings and optimal health outcomes, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested on Thursday.

April 4, 2011
New Cardinal Health toolkit helps independent pharmacists with social media outreach

Cardinal Health on Monday released the independent pharmacist’s social media toolkit, available exclusively to its independent retail pharmacy customers in recognition of the fundamental change in how independent pharmacies interact today with their patients and market their businesses.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Monday released the independent pharmacist’s social media toolkit, available exclusively to its independent retail pharmacy customers in recognition of the fundamental change in how independent pharmacies interact today with their patients and market their businesses.

March 31, 2011
NCPA: Florida bill sacrifices indie pharmacy in war on drugs

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday spoke out against a Florida bill sponsored by state Rep. Rob Schenck, R-District 44, which would restrict the dispensing of controlled substances on Schedule II and III to publicly traded pharmacy chains and pharmacies that have more than $100 million in taxable revenues, or only those independent community pharmacies that have been in business more than 10 years.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday spoke out against a Florida bill sponsored by state Rep. Rob Schenck, R-District 44, which would restrict the dispensing of controlled substances on Schedule II and III to publicly traded pharmacy chains and pharmacies that have more than $100 million in taxable revenues, or only those independent community pharmacies that have been in business more than 10 years.

March 29, 2011
RCEC to bring pharmacists, NPs together on collaborative care track

Studies have indicated that the best people to get patients to adhere to their medication therapies are store pharmacists, while the second-best people are nurses. Thus, it’s only natural that getting nurses and pharmacists to collaborate will further improve adherence. The collaborative care track that The Drug Store News Group will introduce at the Retail Clinician Education Congress in August is a step in that direction.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Studies have indicated that the best people to get patients to adhere to their medication therapies are store pharmacists, while the second-best people are nurses. Thus, it’s only natural that getting nurses and pharmacists to collaborate will further improve adherence. The collaborative care track that The Drug Store News Group will introduce at the Retail Clinician Education Congress in August is a step in that direction.

March 25, 2011
Natco to sell retail pharmacy?

Indian generic drug maker may end its five-year stint as a retail pharmacy operator, according to published reports.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian generic drug maker may end its five-year stint as a retail pharmacy operator, according to published reports.

The Hindu Business Line reported Thursday that Natco was considering the sale of the SaveMart Pharmacy store in Lancaster, Pa.

March 25, 2011
NCPA applauds legislation that will boost PBM oversight in Mississippi

A group representing the nation's community pharmacies has applauded legislation introduced in Mississippi that will increase oversight over pharmacy benefit managers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A group representing the nation's community pharmacies has applauded legislation introduced in Mississippi that will increase oversight over pharmacy benefit managers.

The National Community Pharmacists Association lauded Mississippi S.B. 2445 and expressed its support of the bill in a letter to state legislators. The bill, NCPA EVP and CEO Kathleen Jaeger said, "would end the special treatment for out-of-state, mail-order pharmacies and put local Mississippi pharmacists first."

March 15, 2011
The Apothecary Shops announces 18th store opening

Specialty pharmacy provider The Apothecary Shops has opened its 18th store, the company said Monday.

AUSTIN, Texas — Specialty pharmacy provider The Apothecary Shops has opened its 18th store, the company said Monday.

TAS Specialty Pharmacy, an affiliate of Phoenix-based The Apothecary Shops of Deer Valley, opened a full-service specialty pharmacy with a compounding lab in Austin, Texas. The 2,500-sq.-ft. pharmacy will specialize in cancer, transplants, infectious diseases, fertility, women’s health, pain management, eye diseases and animal health.

March 9, 2011
NACDS resumes ad campaign promoting role of pharmacy

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has resumed its paid advertising campaign promoting the role of pharmacy in the healthcare delivery system.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has resumed its paid advertising campaign promoting the role of pharmacy in the healthcare delivery system.

Since 2007, the NACDS has emphasized its theme of "Pharmacies, the face of neighborhood health care,” and will continue emphasizing the value of pharmacy with the message this week.

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.

February 18, 2011
Annual NACDS event will bring healthcare issues to light

As one retail pharmacy executive put it, "many members of Congress only experience the pharmacy industry through their eyes as a patient." Thanks to NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, however, that no longer has to be the case.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — As one retail pharmacy executive put it, "many members of Congress only experience the pharmacy industry through their eyes as a patient." Thanks to NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, however, that no longer has to be the case.

(THE NEWS: NACDS RxImpact Day 2011 takes aim at new lawmakers. For the full story, click here)

February 18, 2011
NACDS, NCPA call pharmacy 'backbone of Medicaid's drug benefit'

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday sent a joint letter to every governor and state Medicaid director on the importance of pharmacies in Medicaid and the industry’s interest in working with state governments to cut costs.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday sent a joint letter to every governor and state Medicaid director on the importance of pharmacies in Medicaid and the industry’s interest in working with state governments to cut costs.

February 16, 2011
NACDS RxImpact Day 2011 takes aim at new lawmakers

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its members from across the country once again are flocking to Capitol Hill for RxImpact Day, a groundbreaking, two-day event that enables pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the vital role of retail pharmacy within the U.S. healthcare system and its ability to help reduce annual healthcare costs.

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its members from across the country once again are flocking to Capitol Hill for RxImpact Day, a groundbreaking, two-day event that enables pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the vital role of retail pharmacy within the U.S. healthcare system and its ability to help reduce annual healthcare costs.

February 11, 2011
NACDS to House committee: More focus on patients, less on paperwork

In a statement submitted to the House of Representatives Small Business Committee, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores further emphasized its support of legislation to repeal the 1099 business tax form reporting requirements.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In a statement submitted to the House of Representatives Small Business Committee, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores further emphasized its support of legislation to repeal the 1099 business tax form reporting requirements. NACDS indicated that such requirements would force pharmacies to spend inordinate amounts of time and human resources on additional paperwork, leading to less time alloted to helping patients with their healthcare needs.

February 11, 2011
Retail pharmacy can promote disease prevention as healthcare leaders

It stands to reason that as the first line of health care in the community, retail pharmacy can place itself at the forefront of efforts to promote prevention of disease.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — It stands to reason that as the first line of health care in the community, retail pharmacy can place itself at the forefront of efforts to promote prevention of disease.

(THE NEWS: HHS secretary announced $750 million investment in prevention, public health. For the full story, click here)

February 7, 2011
At NACDS conference, Merlo and Anderson note pharmacy victories

Pharmacy's role in the U.S. healthcare system has expanded dramatically over the past two years, thanks to several victories gained through pharmacy care and services.

NAPLES, Fla. — Pharmacy's role in the U.S. healthcare system has expanded dramatically over the past two years, thanks to several victories gained through pharmacy care and services.

Speaking at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference, NACDS board chairman and CVS Caremark president and COO Larry Merlo said that scientific research has further demonstrated how care and services provided by pharmacists and pharmacies have improved health outcomes of patients and cut costs for the healthcare system.

February 4, 2011
Village Fertility Pharmacy promotes its Web-based forum with campaign

A specialty pharmacy focused on infertility is sponsoring a giveaway campaign to attract patients to its Web-based forum.

WALTHAM, Mass. — A specialty pharmacy focused on infertility is sponsoring a giveaway campaign to attract patients to its Web-based forum.

Village Fertility Pharmacy announced Thursday that users of its Village Voices site, an online forum and repository for infertility patients to post stories and share experiences launched in late 2010, will be eligible to win weekly giveaways through the month of February. Any user who submits a story or comments on a story will be entered to win a $30 gift card for use at the pharmacy.

February 2, 2011
NACDS Foundation unveils application process for Community PREP

In an effort to create 30 new community pharmacy residency positions by funding programs across the nation, the charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced the grant application, review and approval process for its Community Pharmacy Residency Expansion Project.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In an effort to create 30 new community pharmacy residency positions by funding programs across the nation, the charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced the grant application, review and approval process for its Community Pharmacy Residency Expansion Project.

The NACDS Foundation said that Community PREP, which first was announced in December 2010, will award 15 grants to nonprofit academic institutions, totaling $50,000 each.

January 18, 2011
NACDS leader addresses legislation impacting pharmacies, patients

A group representing the drug retailing industry submitted a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., regarding "issues [that] are of the utmost importance" to its members.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A group representing the drug retailing industry submitted a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., regarding "issues [that] are of the utmost importance" to its members.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores' president and CEO, Steve Anderson, wrote to Issa, highlighting certain pieces of legislation that affect traditional drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies, all of which NACDS represents.

January 12, 2011
NCPA sends letter to House committee chairman on ways to help pharmacy, patients

The independent pharmacy lobby has issued a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., with insight on how certain current or proposed federal regulations can burden pharmacies and their patients.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The independent pharmacy lobby has issued a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., with insight on how certain current or proposed federal regulations can burden pharmacies and their patients.

January 10, 2011
'Pharmacy home' can help organize medication management

The healthcare system needs to find ways to help patients with such complex therapies as chronic heart disease to simplify and centralize their medication management and create a "pharmacy home" to improve medication adherence, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The healthcare system needs to find ways to help patients with such complex therapies as chronic heart disease to simplify and centralize their medication management and create a "pharmacy home" to improve medication adherence, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

January 5, 2011
Congress exempts pharmacies from ‘red flags’ rule

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Congress handed community pharmacies a Christmas present in December, voting to exempt them from burdensome accounting requirements imposed by the Federal Trade Commission.


January 5, 2011
Lewis format features expanded Rx, versatile ‘four-seasons’ space

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — While pharmacy obviously continues to be an important part of the business, Lewis Drug — which has larger store footprints of 40,000 sq. ft. to 50,000 sq. ft. — is placing an even greater emphasis on the front end, said Mark Griffin, president and CEO of the 33-store chain.


January 5, 2011
Small-town service forms pharmacy familiarity for Fruth customers

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — A customer visiting any of Fruth Pharmacy’s 25 stores in West Virginia and southern Ohio will find many of the same products and services one would find at any national chain pharmacy; but on top of that, the chain offers a highly personal approach to retailing.
“

The thing that sets Fruth apart is excellent customer service,” Fruth Pharmacy president Lynne Fruth told Drug Store News. “It’s kind of a mix of the best of what the bigger chains can provide with that small-hometown service.”