Content about Pharmacist Society

April 24, 2013
J&J launches diabetes education site for European healthcare professionals

Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen has launched an interactive educational website about diabetes for European healthcare professionals.

BEERSE, Belgium — Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen has launched an interactive educational website about diabetes for European healthcare professionals.

Dubbed the Janssen Diabetes Forum, the website is designed to educate users about the latest developments in the management of Type 2 diabetes. The website was launched Tuesday in Beerse, Belgium.

April 24, 2013
Parents often complicit in teens' prescription drug abuse, study finds

A dramatic jump in the rates of misuse of prescription stimulants over the past four years is linked to lax attitudes on the part of parents, according to a new study, though misuse and abuse of prescription opioids has remained flat.

NEW YORK — A dramatic jump in the rates of misuse of prescription stimulants over the past four years is linked to lax attitudes on the part of parents, according to a new study, though misuse and abuse of prescription opioids has remained flat.

April 23, 2013
Cardinal Health offers grants to prescription drug-abuse programs

Cardinal Health's philanthropic division is offering grants to organizations for programs to prevent abuse and misuse of prescription drugs.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health's philanthropic division is offering grants to organizations for programs to prevent abuse and misuse of prescription drugs.

The Cardinal Health Foundation said it was inviting non-profits in 18 locations around the country, as well as Puerto Rico, to apply for grant funding. The announcement marks the fourth year of the foundation's Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse Prevention Grant Program.

April 23, 2013
FDA approves second BD Rx generic injectable drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a second product in BD's new line of injectable drugs, the company said Tuesday.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a second product in BD's new line of injectable drugs, the company said Tuesday.

BD Rx, the pharmaceutical arm of the medical technology manufacturer, whose name stands for Becton, Dickinson and Co., received FDA approval for metoclopramide, part of its BD Simplist line of ready-to-administer pre-filled generic injectables. The product is an antiemetic, a drug used to stop vomiting.

April 23, 2013
FDA creates map for finding legal online pharmacies

The Food and Drug Administration has launched an interactive map that allows users to find licensed online pharmacies by searching through states' board of pharmacy databases.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has launched an interactive map that allows users to find licensed online pharmacies by searching through states' board of pharmacy databases.

April 23, 2013
For patients with rare diseases, impact goes way beyond the disease itself

It’s tough enough to be afflicted with one of the more than 7,000 rare and poorly understood diseases that plague the world’s population, but patients who fall victim to one or more of those conditions also have to cope with the emotional, physical and financial toll that comes with them.

It’s tough enough to be afflicted with one of the more than 7,000 rare and poorly understood diseases that plague the world’s population, but patients who fall victim to one or more of those conditions also have to cope with the emotional, physical and financial toll that comes with them. Rare diseases afflict some 350 million people worldwide. And even in the U.S.

April 23, 2013
Kmart store robbed, suspect steals information backed up electronically from store safe

An armed robber allegedly stole sensitive electronic information on pharmacy customers from a Kmart store in Little Rock, Ark., last month, the mass merchandise retailer said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — An armed robber allegedly stole sensitive electronic information on pharmacy customers from a Kmart store in Little Rock, Ark., last month, the mass merchandise retailer said.

April 23, 2013
Medication-related waste hits poorest states harder, ESI study finds

Unnecessary spending related to medications totaled nearly half a trillion dollars last year, and much of that was in the poorest states in the country, according to pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Unnecessary spending related to medications totaled nearly half a trillion dollars last year, and much of that was in the poorest states in the country, according to pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.

ESI said the country wasted $418 billion on bad medication-related decisions, including $55.8 billion spent on higher-priced medications when cheaper alternatives were available; and $269.4 billion went to expenses related to poor medication adherence.

April 23, 2013
Pharmacy value as part of outcomes-based health care highlighted in morning NACDS sessions

As the retail pharmacy industry continues to explore outcome-based solutions to help drive down the cost of overall health care, incoming National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Robert Narveson pointed to the oath a pharmacist takes for inspiration during his inaugural address here before attendees of the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As the retail pharmacy industry continues to explore outcome-based solutions to help drive down the cost of overall health care, incoming National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Robert Narveson pointed to the oath a pharmacist takes for inspiration during his inaugural address here before attendees of the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting.

April 23, 2013
Sandoz VP leaves company

Sandoz U.S. Generics Operating Unit VP sales and marketing Rich Tremonte will leave the company.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz U.S. Generics Operating Unit VP sales and marketing Rich Tremonte will leave the company.

The company said Tremonte would be working for AmerisourceBergen Corp. as VP global generic pharmaceuticals starting on June 1.

 

April 23, 2013
Twelve pharmacy schools receive more than $200,000 in money for scholarships

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores' charitable arm has awarded $230,000 in scholarships to pharmacy students, the organization said.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores' charitable arm has awarded $230,000 in scholarships to pharmacy students, the organization said Tuesday.

The NACDS Foundation said it gave awards ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 to pharmacy schools' scholarship funds through its Pharmacy Partners Scholarship Program. The awards will provide financial assistance to students working toward doctor of pharmacy degrees.

April 23, 2013
Warner Chilcott receives FDA approval for Minastrin 24 FE

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contraceptive drug made by Warner Chilcott, the drug maker said.

DUBLIN — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contraceptive drug made by Warner Chilcott, the drug maker said.

Warner Chilcott announced the approval of Minastrin 24 FE (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol capsules and ferrous fumarate capsules) for prevention of pregnancy.

The drug maker said an unnamed third-party company would manufacture the drug, but it did not expect to launch it this year.

 

April 22, 2013
Cough, cold medicines often given to children younger than 4, poll finds

Many parents give young children medicines for cough and cold that they shouldn't use, according to a new poll by the University of Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Many parents give young children medicines for cough and cold that they shouldn't use, according to a new poll by the University of Michigan.

April 22, 2013
FDA approves Alcon's Simbrinza

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Alcon, the drug maker said.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Alcon, the drug maker said.

April 22, 2013
Rite Aid highlights redesigned website

Rite Aid's revamped website will offer a "more personalized and engaging" experience for customers, the company said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's revamped website will offer a "more personalized and engaging" experience for customers, the company said Monday.

The new site, which it worked with Razorfish Healthware to design, includes easier access to online pharmacy services, health and wellness information.

April 22, 2013
Target customers frequently turn to pharmacists for allergy advice, survey finds

More than half of allergy sufferers seek advice from pharmacists and doctors, a new survey by Target has found.

MINNEAPOLIS — More than half of allergy sufferers seek advice from pharmacists and doctors, a new survey by Target has found.

April 19, 2013
Bill Clinton to speak at NCPA show in October

Former president Bill Clinton will address the National Community Pharmacists Association's exposition in Orlando, Fla., this October, the group said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former president Bill Clinton will address the National Community Pharmacists Association's exposition in Orlando, Fla., this October, the group said Friday.

The NCPA's 115th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition will take place Oct. 12-16 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.

April 19, 2013
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy CEO joins Flint, Mich., job-creation effort

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is among several Flint, Mich.-area companies that have signed on to a council to support a local business that makes scrubs and is interested in expanding beyond traditional markets.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is among several Flint, Mich.-area companies that have signed on to a council to support a local business that makes scrubs and is interested in expanding beyond traditional markets.

April 19, 2013
FDA grants tentative approval to two Sun generics

The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to two generic diabetes drugs made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, the Indian drug maker said.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to two generic diabetes drugs made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, the Indian drug maker said.

Sun announced the tentative approvals for sitagliptin tablets in the 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg strengths and metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 500 mg and 1,000 mg strengths. The drugs are respectively generic versions of Merck's Januvia and Santarus' Glumetza.

April 19, 2013
Heartworm risk in pets increases with warmer weather, veterinary group warns

A veterinary group in Texas is urging pet owners to protect their cats and dogs from heartworms.

AUSTIN, Texas — A veterinary group in Texas is urging pet owners to protect their cats and dogs from heartworms.

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association is marking Heartworm Awareness Month in April, warning about the ease by which mosquitoes can transmit the illness to pets.

April 19, 2013
Panel advocates letting Canadian pharmacists prescribe some drugs

A new action plan and panel discussion aim to improve Canada's healthcare system and save $8.5 billion to $11 billion over three years at various levels of government.

TORONTO — A new action plan and panel discussion aim to improve Canada's healthcare system and save $8.5 billion to $11 billion over three years at various levels of government.

The plan, "9,000 Points of Care: Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare," outlines five initiatives, including allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines and prescribe medications for minor ailments. The title refers to the number of community pharmacies in Canada.

April 18, 2013
Actavis relaunches generic contraceptive

A federal court ruling has allowed Actavis to relaunch a generic contraceptive drug, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A federal court ruling has allowed Actavis to relaunch a generic contraceptive drug, the company said.

April 18, 2013
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy supports employee health and wellness with new programs

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has several new programs in the works to promote health and wellness among its employees, the company said.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has several new programs in the works to promote health and wellness among its employees, the company said.

Diplomat announced a new fitness center at its headquarters that will include stationary bikes, strength-training machines, ellipticals, medicine balls, an exercise video center and a Wii system.

April 18, 2013
Hospira announces new executive appointment

Generic drug maker Hospira has appointed Matt Stober as its SVP operations, the company said.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has appointed Matt Stober as its SVP operations, the company said.

Stober, who began working for Hospira in 2011 as corporate VP U.S. pharmacy operations, will have expanded leadership over all the company's drug manufacturing, as well as manufacturing science and technology, engineering, competitive strategy, health and safety, supply chain and procurement. Stober succeeds John Elliot, who has led operations since April 2012 and will provide continuity of support until he retires at the end of the year.

April 18, 2013
Nearly one-third of women don't fill new osteoporosis prescriptions, study finds

A new study by Kaiser Permanente finds that a large percentage of women with osteoporosis fail to pick up new prescriptions for the condition.

PASADENA, Calif. — A new study by Kaiser Permanente finds that a large percentage of women with osteoporosis fail to pick up new prescriptions for the condition.