Content about Pharmaceutical sciences

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is underscoring the importance of medication preparedness to its customers that may be impacted by hurricane Isaac, which is on path for the Gulf Coast.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda, the agency said Friday.

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. 


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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.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic medicated patch for treating pain made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said.

Watson announced the approval of lidocaine topical patch in the 5% strength. The drug is a generic version of Endo Pharmaceuticals' Lidoderm, which had sales of about $1.2 billion during the 12-month period ended in June 2012, according to IMS Health.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for high blood pressure made by Wockhardt, the Indian drug maker said.

Wockhardt announced the approval of felodipine extended-release tablets in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Plendil, and Wockhardt said it would launch the drug immediately.

Various versions of the drug have a market presence of more than $66 million, according to IMS Health.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance for the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the agency said.

A collection of documents posted on the FDA's website includes guidance for the generic drug industry on self-identification of generic drug facilities, sites and organizations, questions and answers about the draft guidance and others.

As states grapple with tight budgets, rising Medicaid costs and the anticipated expansion of Medicaid following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, policy-makers should consider how community pharmacists can help reduce expenses. In addition, new evidence offers a fresh reminder of the perils of managed care in Medicaid and the need for proper oversight of managed care entities.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

You’ve seen the sign, probably early fall, posted right there on the marquee of the local pharmacy: “Most insurance accepted.” It means that when a patient stops by the pharmacy for a flu shot, the pharmacy can probably bill the health plan for the covered medical benefit. Quick, easy and (mostly) painless. This trend in retail medical claiming, or covering and billing for medical benefits at the pharmacy, is quickly spreading to other products and services, and is largely expanding the scope of convenient, clinical care options for both the patient and the pharmacy.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid has joined a prescription discount card program for Hispanics, the group offering the card said Tuesday.

Effective immediately, Rite Aid stores will accept the UnivisionFarmacia card, distributed by a partnership between media company Univision Enterprises, EnvisionRxOptions and HolaDoctor. The UnivisionFarmacia network includes more than 32,000 pharmacies around the country. Members receive discounts of up to 85% on generic drugs, with an average savings of 40% across brand and generic drugs, the group said.