Content about Pharmacist

February 21, 2013
Kerr Drug completes chainwide implementation of PDX pharmacy system

Kerr Drug has rolled out the PDX Enterprise Pharmacy System chainwide, the retail pharmacy chain said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has rolled out the PDX Enterprise Pharmacy System chainwide, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Kerr said the system would help it focus on "the future of pharmacy," with increased prescription volume and higher patient care requirements.

February 20, 2013
AP: Oklahoma legislator files bill requiring PBMs to get a state license from state pharmacy board

Legislation that would require pharmacy benefit managers to seek licensure from the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy if they were to distribute medicines to Oklahoma residents was introduced on Tuesday, according to an AP report.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation that would require pharmacy benefit managers to seek licensure from the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy if they were to distribute medicines to Oklahoma residents was introduced on Tuesday, according to an Associated Press report. 

February 20, 2013
NACDS, NCPA offer suggestions to DEA on drug take-back programs

Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed support for a rule the DEA proposed in December to govern the secure disposal of controlled substances by DEA registrants - including pharmacies - and patients, as well as people acting on their behalf.

February 19, 2013
IMAHelps seeks volunteer pharmacist for international medical mission

A nonprofit organization based in California is looking for a volunteer pharmacist for a medical mission to Peru.

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — A nonprofit organization based in California is looking for a volunteer pharmacist for a medical mission to Peru.

IMSHelps has assembled a team of nearly 100 doctors, surgeons, nurses, dentists and support personnel who will visit Huacho, Peru, for a 10-day medical mission, starting Aug. 8. The group said it was specifically looking for pharmacists who had previously volunteered on international medical missions and who were willing to travel without a spouse or significant other.

February 19, 2013
Pharmacists and the battle to boost adherence

Two-hundred-ninety billion dollars. That’s the number often thrown around when health experts talk about what medication nonadherence costs patients, insurers, health plan payers and the U.S. economy every year. And of course, dollar estimates say nothing about the impact that nonadherence has on patients and their families in higher chronic and acute disease rates, reduced quality of life and shortened lifespans.

So the failure by patients to take their meds as prescribed is a big deal. And it’s gotten a lot of attention from payers in the last couple of years because it’s one of the most obvious levers to pull as public and private health plan sponsors struggle to get a grip on the astronomical and still-expanding cost of health care in the United States.

Two-hundred-ninety billion dollars. That’s the number often thrown around when health experts talk about what medication nonadherence costs patients, insurers, health plan payers and the U.S. economy every year. And of course, dollar estimates say nothing about the impact that nonadherence has on patients and their families in higher chronic and acute disease rates, reduced quality of life and shortened lifespans.

February 19, 2013
Reports: Florida House subcommittee approves biosimilar-substitution bill

A new bill in Florida's state legislature would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for branded biotech drugs, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A new bill in Florida's state legislature would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for branded biotech drugs, according to published reports.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Health Quality Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow for substitution while requiring pharmacists to notify prescribing physicians within five days and require the doctor and pharmacist to maintain a record for at least four years.

February 19, 2013
Weis Markets names new VP pharmacy

Weis Markets promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy.

SUNBURY, Pa. —  Weis Markets on Monday promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy. 

In his new position, Seipp will oversee the day-to-day merchandising, operation and management of Weis Markets’ 131 pharmacies. He will also oversee the company’s Lifestyle Initiatives’ team, which focuses on health and wellness issues.  

February 15, 2013
Elimination of Saturday mail delivery could complicate mail-order business

Eighty-eight members of the House of Representatives fired off a letter Monday to postmaster general and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service Patrick Donahoe urging the agency not to eliminate Saturday delivery of mail, saying it would impede the ability of people who depend on mail-order pharmacies to receive their medications.

It's no secret that the retail pharmacy industry and pharmacy benefit managers don't always see eye-to-eye, with the latter being the main provider of mail-order pharmacy services in the country and often touting them as an alternative to going to the drug store, while the former emphasize the face-to-face interaction with pharmacists not usually possible with mail-order. But between the back-and-forth, millions of patients still depend on mail order pharmacy, and the cost effectiveness that mail-order pharmacies frequently promote themselves as offering could be at risk if they must use more expensive delivery methods.

Eighty-eight members of the House of Representatives fired off a letter Monday to postmaster general and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service Patrick Donahoe urging the agency not to eliminate Saturday delivery of mail, saying it would impede the ability of people who depend on mail-order pharmacies to receive their medications.

February 15, 2013
Pharmacy ideal for proactive health interventions

A smoking cessation program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy will be deployed through Safeway pharmacies, the university announced. As part of the program, Safeway pharmacists will receive special training in counseling techniques.

It's one of the first partnerships of its kind and another example of how community pharmacy will be stepping into a more preventive healthcare role. You can expect to see more types of these smoking cessation programs along with other proactive health interventions tackling weight loss and encouraging healthier behaviors.

A smoking cessation program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy will be deployed through Safeway pharmacies, the university announced. As part of the program, Safeway pharmacists will receive special training in counseling techniques. 

February 14, 2013
Safeway, UCSF School of Pharmacy partner on smoking-cessation program

Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

NEW YORK — Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

Safeway pharmacists will receive training in smoking-cessation counseling techniques developed by the UCSF pharmacy faculty, while stores will locate OTC nicotine-replacement therapies near pharmacy areas, giving customers convenient access to the pharmacist.

February 13, 2013
NACDS touts pharmacists' role in vaccinations for House subcommittee hearing

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores made its voice heard before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the role of pharmacists in influenza vaccination, the retail pharmacy lobbying group said Wednesday.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores made its voice heard in the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the role of pharmacists in influenza vaccination, the retail pharmacy lobbying group said Wednesday.

February 13, 2013
NCPA outlines legislative priorities

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday announced its federal and state legislative priorities with the release of the Independent Community Pharmacy Checklist.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday announced its federal and state legislative priorities with the release of the Independent Community Pharmacy Checklist. The one-page document details the main legislative actions NCPA and its members will advocate for this year at the federal and state levels. 

February 12, 2013
NCPA to hold 45th annual Legislative Conference in May

The National Community Pharmacists Association announced it will hold its 45th annual Legislative Conference May 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday announced it will hold its 45th annual Legislative Conference May 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C.

February 11, 2013
AHRQ contest winners announced

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

NEW YORK — The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

February 11, 2013
Bartell Drugs introduces PharmaSmart kiosks

Bartell Drugs has introduced PharmaSmart blood pressure testing kiosks at all 58 of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs has introduced PharmaSmart blood-pressure testing kiosks at all 58 of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Bartell said it was the first drug store chain in the Pacific Northwest to provide the new kiosks, made by Rochester, N.Y.-based PharmaSmart International.

February 11, 2013
Fast Company places Walgreens on its 'Top 10' list of most innovative healthcare companies

Progressive business media brand Fast Company named Walgreens as one of its top 10 healthcare companies for 2013 "for redefining the role of the pharmacy."

NEW YORK — Progressive business media brand Fast Company on Monday named Walgreens as one of its top 10 healthcare companies for 2013 "for redefining the role of the pharmacy."

February 8, 2013
Va. pharmacy students visit state legislators

An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

NEW YORK — An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

Hampton University said 24 of its students visited the General Assembly in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 30 to participate in Virginia Pharmacy Day, organized every year by the Virginia Pharmacist Association. 

The event combined a health fair — with cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure screenings — and legislative visits with state representatives to discuss pharmacy-related issues.

February 7, 2013
Cardinal Health develops patient-friendly heart health education program for community pharmacists

Cardinal Health announced it is providing free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Thursday announced it is providing free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.  “By using these patient-friendly heart health materials, community pharmacists can strengthen their relationships with patients and help save lives by educating their communities about how to prevent and recognize the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes," stated Ron Clerico, VP marketing for Cardinal Health’s Retail Pharmacy business. 

February 7, 2013
CVS Caremark announces expansion of Pharmacy Advisor program

CVS Caremark has announced the extension of its Pharmacy Advisor program to cover an additional five chronic conditions, including asthma, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and osteoporosis.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced the extension of its Pharmacy Advisor program to cover an additional five chronic conditions, including asthma, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and osteoporosis.

February 7, 2013
Kerr Drug expands central fill model

Kerr Drug will use its partnership with PDX and ScriptPro to increase pharmacy productivity by expanding its central fill model, the regional pharmacy chain said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug will use its partnership with PDX and ScriptPro to increase pharmacy productivity by expanding its central fill model, the regional pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Kerr announced the opening of its central fill operation in Raleigh, N.C.

"It's not just about labor savings, inventory reductions and other efficiencies," Kerr CEO Tony Civello said. "These kinds of innovations and use of technologies are critical to remaining a player in the emerging healthcare ecosystem."

February 7, 2013
Patient follow-up could reduce complications with medication side effects, study finds

Researchers in Canada found that pharmacists who call their patients after a prescription has been filled can help reduce and manage adverse drug reactions for those patients.

QUEBEC — Researchers in Canada found that pharmacists who call their patients after a prescription has been filled can help reduce and manage adverse drug reactions for those patients.

The researchers used automated calls to follow-up with 629 patients at family practices in Quebec three days and then again 17 days after a presciption was filled with four simple "yes-or-no" questions.

February 7, 2013
Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacists administered 190K flu shots this season

The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced on Thursday.

Rexall Pharma Plus offered flu shots at all of its more than 250 Ontario pharmacies any time, with no appointment necessary. Rexall is Katz Group Canada’s flagship national chain.

February 7, 2013
Survey: Part D 'preferred pharmacy' provision driving rural seniors away from community pharmacy

A survey of community pharmacists suggests that "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A survey of community pharmacists suggests that "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities. The finding comes shortly after similar questions were raised at the January public meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Congress' advisory board on Medicare issues, the National Community Pharmacists Association noted Thursday. 

February 5, 2013
CueScript launches patient engagement, medication adherence tool for pharmacy

CueScript on Tuesday launched an innovative platform that delivers on-demand prescription-specific videos and other value-added services designed to engage patients, improve health literacy and improve medication adherence.

LAKE MARY, Fla. — CueScript on Tuesday launched an innovative platform that delivers on-demand prescription-specific videos and other value-added services designed to engage patients, improve health literacy and improve medication adherence. 

February 5, 2013
For pharmacists who provide immunizations, signs of progress and plenty of opportunity

Good, but it could be better.

I’m talking about the results of a nationwide survey of Americans who were vaccinated against influenza for the 2012-2013 flu season. Based on an online poll of nearly 1,100 adults in mid-January, researchers for Ipsos Public Affairs found a solid majority of Americans still rely on their family physician for their flu shots, but that retail pharmacies and walk-in clinics are making significant progress in their campaign to shift the center of gravity for immunizations away from the doctor’s office.

Good, but it could be better.

I’m talking about the results of a nationwide survey of Americans who were vaccinated against influenza for the 2012-2013 flu season. Based on an online poll of nearly 1,100 adults in mid-January, researchers for Ipsos Public Affairs found a solid majority of Americans still rely on their family physician for their flu shots, but that retail pharmacies and walk-in clinics are making significant progress in their campaign to shift the center of gravity for immunizations away from the doctor’s office.