Content about Medicinal chemistry

September 11, 2012
Louisiana pharmacist to Congress: Independents need to stay in the DME business

Louisiana pharmacist Randy Mire testified before Congress Tuesday that efforts to combat the diabetes epidemic in his home state and elsewhere would be significantly undermined if independent community pharmacies like his are forced to stop offering diabetes testing supplies as a result of Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, according to a National Community Pharmacists Association release.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Louisiana pharmacist Randy Mire testified before Congress Tuesday that efforts to combat the diabetes epidemic in his home state and elsewhere would be significantly undermined if independent community pharmacies like his are forced to stop offering diabetes testing supplies as a result of Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, according to a National Community Pharmacists Association release.

Mire appeared on behalf of NCPA before the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology.

September 11, 2012
Spreading the word

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%). If you've been following Patient Views every day, you’d know that 73% of patients say they are very satisfied with their preferred pharmacy.

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%).

September 10, 2012
Satisfaction guaranteed?

With Walgreens back in the Express Scripts network again and all of those millions of patients suddenly up for grabs, today's Patient Views infographic is an important reminder of how difficult it can be to get pharmacy patients to switch — that is, assuming things like cost and access are equal. Overall, 73% of patients said they were very satisfied with the their preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. Interestingly enough, grocery stores finished at the top of the curve.

With Walgreens back in the Express Scripts network again, and all of those millions of patients suddenly up for grabs, today’s Patient Views infographic is an important reminder of how difficult it can be to get pharmacy patients to switch — that is, assuming things like cost and access are equal. Overall, 73% of patients said they were very satisfied with the their preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

September 7, 2012
Freedom of choice

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.

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.

September 6, 2012
Kalorama reports several new OTC categories under consideration by FDA

Kalorama Information on Thursday reported that a number of Rx-to-OTC switch applications currently are under review by the Food and Drug Administration across several new-to-self-care categories, including overactive bladder, bacterial infections, cholesterol and high blood pressure.

NEW YORK — Kalorama Information on Thursday reported that a number of Rx-to-OTC switch applications currently are under review by the Food and Drug Administration across several new-to-self-care categories, including overactive bladder, bacterial infections, cholesterol and high blood pressure.

September 6, 2012
Recognized but underutilized

Despite the fact that 77% of pharmacy patients believe that the pharmacist at their preferred pharmacy is always available to answer their questions, consult on medications, etc., only 28% say that they interact often with their pharmacist. And again, this is an area where local independents are way ahead of the curve (52%), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Despite the fact that 77% of pharmacy patients believe that the pharmacist at their preferred pharmacy is always available to answer their questions, consult on medications, etc., only 28% say that they interact often with their pharmacist. And again, this is an area where local independents are way ahead of the curve (52%), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

September 6, 2012
Study shows rapid growth in cost of physician-dispensed prescriptions versus pharmacies

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.

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.

September 5, 2012
FDA approves new drug for rare leukemia

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating a rare blood and marrow cancer that affects older adults, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating a rare blood and marrow cancer that affects older adults, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Pfizer's Bosulif (bosutinib) for chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML. According to the FDA, about 5,430 men and women will be diagnosed with CML this year.

The drug is designed for patients with chronic, accelerated or blast-phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML, who can't tolerate other therapies or for whom those therapies don't work.

September 5, 2012
Good news first...

This is one of those good news/bad news situations. On one hand, 77% of pharmacy patients believe that the pharmacist at their preferred pharmacy is always available to answer their questions and consult on medications, with local independents ranking at the high end of the curve, at 84%. Unsurprisingly, pharmacists at mail-order pharmacies got the lowest marks (56%), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

This is one of those good news/bad news situations. On one hand, 77% of pharmacy patients believe that the pharmacist at their preferred pharmacy is always available to answer their questions and consult on medications, with local independents ranking at the high end of the curve at 84%. Unsurprisingly, pharmacists at mail-order pharmacies got the lowest marks (56%), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

September 5, 2012
Rite Aid comps increase 0.4% in August

Rite Aid posted a 0.4% increase in same-store sales for the month of August, the retail pharmacy operator said Wednesday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid posted a 0.4% increase in same-store sales for the month of August, the retail pharmacy operator said Wednesday.

The increase included a 2.4% increase in front-end comps and a 0.6% decrease in pharmacy comps. Total store sales for the five-week period that ended Saturday were roughly $2.41 billion, a 0.4% decrease from last year's $2.414 billion. Same-store prescription count increased by 4.5%.

September 4, 2012
A chain reaction?

More than one-third of pharmacy patients say that the pharmacist is a very important factor for them when choosing a preferred pharmacy — and 92% of patients say they have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. But when asked which types of pharmacies they believed had the most professional and trained pharmacists, 33% answered traditional drug store chains, such as Walgreens and CVS.

More than one-third of pharmacy patients say that the pharmacist is a very important factor for them when choosing a preferred pharmacy — and 92% of patients say they have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. But when asked which types of pharmacies they believed had the most professional and trained pharmacists, 33% answered traditional drug store chains, such as Walgreens and CVS.

September 4, 2012
FDA approves Wockhardt antidepressant

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic antidepressant made by Wockhardt, the Indian drug maker said Tuesday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic antidepressant made by Wockhardt, the Indian drug maker said Tuesday.

Wockhardt announced the FDA approval of its bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's Wellbutrin SR, various versions of which have a market of about $268 million, according to IMS Health.

September 4, 2012
Rx Response kicked into highest alert level as Hurricane Isaac made landfall

Rx Response, an initiative of America’s biopharmaceutical supply system to help ensure the continued flow of medicine to patients in a severe public health emergency, moved to its highest alert status last week as Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast.

WASHINGTON — Rx Response, an initiative of America's biopharmaceutical supply system to help ensure the continued flow of medicine to patients in a severe public health emergency, moved to its highest alert status last week as Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast.

September 4, 2012
The pharmacist factor

It's probably no surprise that for the 9-of-10 patients who say they have a preferred pharmacy that the pharmacist is a very important factor in choosing one pharmacy over another (37% overall), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. It should be even less surprising that this number was even higher among patients who listed the local independent as their preferred pharmacy (54%).

It's probably no surprise that for the 9-of-10 patients who say they have a preferred pharmacy that the pharmacist is a very important factor in choosing one pharmacy over another (37% overall), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. It should be even less surprising that this number was even higher among patients who listed the local independent as their preferred pharmacy (54%).

August 30, 2012
How patients choose a preferred pharmacy

More than 90% of pharmacy patients have a preferred pharmacy — and for 98% of that group, it isn’t mail order. But how do patients choose a preferred pharmacy, you ask? According to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August, after convenience/location (among the top three factors selected by 75% of patients), the second most critical reason is customer service (top three for 57% of patients).

More than 90% of pharmacy patients have a preferred pharmacy — and for 98% of that group, it isn’t mail order. But how do patients choose a preferred pharmacy, you ask? According to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August, after convenience/location (among the top three factors selected by 75% of patients), the second most critical reason is customer service (top three for 57% of patients).

August 29, 2012
Surprise, surprise: 98% of patients DON’T prefer mail order

Although fully one-third of patients use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescriptions, 9-of-10 say they actually do have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Although fully one-third of patients use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescriptions, 9-of-10 say they actually do have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. Unsurprisingly, just 2% of Patient Views respondents named a mail-order provider as their preferred pharmacy.

August 28, 2012
Sun Pharma's Caraco gets FDA OK to resume operations

The Food and Drug Administration has determined that generic drug maker Caraco is in compliance with relevant paragraphs of the consent decree and may resume operations at its manufacturing facility and packaging sites in Detriot and Wixom, Mich., Caraco's parent company Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has determined that generic drug maker Caraco is in compliance with relevant paragraphs of the consent decree and may resume operations at its manufacturing facility and packaging sites in Detriot and Wixom, Mich., Caraco's parent company Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said.

During their inspection, the FDA reviewed the certification reports for heart failure treatment Carvedilol USP, as well as antibiotic Paramomycin USP, and determined Caraco may resume production of only these two drugs.

August 28, 2012
Why patients use multiple pharmacies

A little more than one-third of patients use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescriptions, according to an exclusive survey of 745 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. Why? The obvious reasons are convenience/location (63%) and price (46%), but there are many other factors.

A little more than one-third of patients use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescriptions, according to an exclusive survey of 745 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. Why? The obvious reasons are convenience/location (63%) and price (46%), but there are many other factors.

August 27, 2012
Amid uncertainty of elections, health reform, community pharmacy 'must adjust sails,' Anderson charges

The 2012 elections mean a lot of things to a lot of people, communities and industries, and retail pharmacy is no exception.

DENVER — The 2012 elections mean a lot of things to a lot of people, communities and industries, and retail pharmacy is no exception.

August 27, 2012
Introducing DSN Patient Views

Can you feel that? 
It’s the seismic shift that currently is occurring in health care in this country. And really, it’s just a tremor. The intense stuff isn’t expected to hit until 2014.


Can you feel that? 


It’s the seismic shift that currently is occurring in health care in this country. And really, it’s just a tremor. The intense stuff isn’t expected to hit until 2014.


That’s why we’re creating “Patient Views” (see page 6), a new department that will be featured Upfront in every issue of DSN and in every edition of our daily 
e-newsletter, DSN A.M.


August 27, 2012
NACDS' Anderson hails industry's life-saving, cost-reducing value at Pharmacy and Technology Conference

The effort by community pharmacy to rise to the occasion and showcase its life-saving and cost-reducing power in health care has never been stronger. That was a key message that National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson had for attendees of the NACDS Pharmacy and Technology Conference being held in Denver. However, he also warned against complacency.

DENVER — The effort by community pharmacy to rise to the occasion and showcase its life-saving and cost-reducing power in health care has never been stronger. That was a key message that National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson had for attendees of the NACDS Pharmacy and Technology Conference being held in Denver. However, he also warned against complacency.

August 27, 2012
Pharmacists’ value recognized, underutilized

Almost 2-in-3 patients reported that the individual pharmacist plays a key role in which pharmacy they choose, but less than one-third of patients tap into that accessible health resource on a regular basis, according to an exclusive survey conducted by AccentHealth and DSN. 


Almost 2-in-3 patients reported that the individual pharmacist plays a key role in which pharmacy they choose, but less than one-third of patients tap into that accessible health resource on a regular basis, according to an exclusive survey conducted by AccentHealth and DSN. 


For the full report, click here.

August 27, 2012
Q&A: Point-of-care perspective

AccentHealth’s Andrew Schulman, VP marketing, recently sat down with DSN to talk about a new regular DSN feature debuting in this issue called “Patient Views,” and how this series of surveys can help inform pharmacy operators and healthcare suppliers alike.


AccentHealth’s Andrew Schulman, VP marketing, recently sat down with DSN to talk about a new regular DSN feature debuting in this issue called “Patient Views,” and how this series of surveys can help inform pharmacy operators and healthcare suppliers alike.


DSN: What is AccentHealth, and why should retail pharmacy, pharmaceutical manufacturers and consumer packaged goods companies pay attention?


August 27, 2012
The poly-pharmacy blues

One-third of pharmacy customers say they use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescription needs — and that sets up multiple opportunities to foul up patient adherence and negatively impact patient outcomes.

One-third of pharmacy customers say they use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescription needs — and that sets up multiple opportunities to foul up patient adherence and negatively impact patient outcomes. The findings are the first to come out of a new content partnership between The Drug Store News Group and AccentHealth, which will create a new Upfront department called Patient Views that will appear in every issue of DSN and the daily electronic newsletter, DSN A.M.

August 26, 2012
Ed session helps retailers 'get the point' of travel vaccinations

One of the biggest trends in the pharmacy-retail industry is the expansion of services on offer, ranging from health screenings to medication therapy management to vaccinations and immunizations.

DENVER — One of the biggest trends in the pharmacy-retail industry is the expansion of services on offer, ranging from health screenings to medication therapy management to vaccinations and immunizations.