Content about Pharmacy

April 15, 2013

The governor of North Dakota has signed into law a bill that would require pharmacy benefit managers to inform pharmacies about how reimbursement for generic prescription drugs is calculated under maximum allowable cost benchmarks and provide a more detailed appeals process to pharmacies to contest the MAC reimbursement caps that PBMs set up.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The governor of North Dakota has signed into law a bill that would require pharmacy benefit managers to inform pharmacies about how reimbursement for generic prescription drugs is calculated under maximum allowable cost benchmarks and provide a more detailed appeals process to pharmacies to contest the MAC reimbursement caps that PBMs set up.

The bill, H.B. 1363, received unanimous support in both houses of the state's legislature, and Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed it into law Monday.

April 15, 2013

Navarro Discount Pharmacy has opened its 33rd store in Miami, which targets Hispanics from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy has opened its 33rd store in Miami, which targets Hispanics from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

April 15, 2013

The University of Utah's College of Pharmacy has opened a new research organization designed to encourage collaboration and interaction, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The University of Utah's College of Pharmacy has opened a new research organization designed to encourage collaboration and interaction, according to published reports.

The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News reported on the opening of the L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Institute, a 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes open lab space.

April 12, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration is granting an expedited application process to a company that has developed a treatment for a condition related to Parkinson's disease, meaning that it can cancel a planned late-stage clinical trial, the company said.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration is granting an expedited application process to a company that has developed a treatment for a condition related to Parkinson's disease, meaning that it can cancel a planned late-stage clinical trial, the company said.

April 12, 2013

Celgene Corp. chairman and CEO Robert Hugin has been elected as chairman of a pharmaceutical industry trade group.

SAN DIEGO — Celgene Corp. chairman and CEO Robert Hugin has been elected as chairman of a pharmaceutical industry trade group.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced the election of Hugin, as well as Pfizer president and CEO Ian Read as chairman-elect of the PhRMA board of directors and Merck chairman, president and CEO as board treasurer.

Hugin succeeds Eli Lilly president, chairman and CEO John Lechleiter as chairman, PhRMA said.

 

April 12, 2013

Cirrus Healthcare Products announced that the company will be launching its latest licensed version of EarPlanes for Kids in conjunction with the new Disney "Planes" movie releasing on Aug. 9.

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. — Cirrus Healthcare Products on Thursday announced that the company will be launching its latest licensed version of EarPlanes for Kids in conjunction with the new Disney "Planes" movie releasing on Aug. 9.  

EarPlanes, which comes in two sizes fitting either a child or an adult, are designed to be worn for air travel to reduce and prevent uncomfortable ear pressure during flight — including the clogging, popping, pain or even the temporary hearing loss that can result.

April 12, 2013

Drug companies' pharmaceutical portfolio management teams spend most of their time and budgets supporting niche products, according to a new study.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Drug companies' pharmaceutical portfolio management teams spend most of their time and budgets supporting niche products, according to a new study.

April 12, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a contraceptive therapy made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the Indian drug maker said Friday.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a contraceptive therapy made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the Indian drug maker said Friday.

Lupin announced the approval of Daysee (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets) in the 0.15-mg/0.03-mg and 0.01-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Teva's Seasonique. Various versions of the drug had sales of $161 million in 2012, according to IMS Health.

 

April 12, 2013

An inspection of more than two-dozen compounding pharmacies by Food and Drug Administration officials has found widespread problems with sanitation and sterilization practices, FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg wrote in a blog post on the agency's website Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — An inspection of more than two-dozen compounding pharmacies by Food and Drug Administration officials has found widespread problems with sanitation and sterilization practices, FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg wrote in a blog post on the agency's website Thursday.

April 12, 2013

A proposal to further reduce Medicaid drug reimbursement that was included in President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget plan is “premature” and federal Medicaid officials should focus on modifying and completing already proposed regulations to set future federal upper limits for reimbursement of most generic drugs, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A proposal to further reduce Medicaid drug reimbursement that was included in President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget plan is “premature” and federal Medicaid officials should focus on modifying and completing already proposed regulations to set future federal upper limits for reimbursement of most generic drugs, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association argued on Friday.

April 12, 2013

The makers of a new smartphone app say it will synchronize engagement between pharmacists and patients through mobile devices, social media, websites and printed media.

AUSTIN, Texas — The makers of a new smartphone app say it will synchronize engagement between pharmacists and patients through mobile devices, social media, websites and printed media.

RxWiki announced Friday the beta release of Mobile+, a customizable mobile application that delivers medication information, news and alerts to patients' smartphones. The app is currently available for Android devices and will soon be available for Apple devices.

April 12, 2013

Walgreens released a research article on how health care focused on outcomes could really contribute to lowering healthcare costs. The idea is that by improving individual patient experience, improving the health of the overall patient population and reducing the per capita cost of health care, you can realize better patient outcomes out of invested health resources.

If you take a real close look at what core competencies are necessary to better realize success in that approach, it becomes evident that retail pharmacy is an ideal setting for the process.

Walgreens released a research article on how health care focused on outcomes could really contribute to lowering healthcare costs. The idea is that by improving individual patient experience, improving the health of the overall patient population and reducing the per capita cost of health care, you can realize better patient outcomes out of invested health resources.  

April 11, 2013

The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report, which reviews drug trend and highlights key issues in pharmacy care.

CVS Caremark's GDR is the result of two elements.  First, 2012 marked a high point in the flood of generic launches, with the estimated market value of brands that lost their patents in 2012 exceeding $35 billion. 

April 11, 2013

QS/1 has released Medicare Part B compliance documentation, which it said would be the first of its type on the market to help pharmacies that want to serve Part B customers while remaining compliant, the company said.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — QS/1 has released Medicare Part B compliance documentation, which it said would be the first of its type on the market to help pharmacies that want to serve Part B customers while remaining compliant, the company said.

QS/1 said its Medicare Part B Compliance Documentation software system was the first of its kind, allowing pharmacies using NRx or PrimeCare Pharmacy Management Systems to serve Medicare Part B customer needs while keeping necessary documents in the event of an audit.

April 11, 2013

The government of Canada's Alberta province will pay pharmacists $1 for each prescription filled as part of a one-year transition program for which it will spend $24 million, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The government of Canada's Alberta province will pay pharmacists C$1 for each prescription filled as part of a one-year transition program for which it will spend $24 million, according to published reports.

April 11, 2013

Rite Aid's profits grew in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 amid stronger front-end sales and prescription count, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's profits grew in fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 amid stronger front-end sales and prescription count, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

April 11, 2013

Research has indicated that about half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, raising concerns about the growth of bacteria resistant to them, but a new study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that prescriptions are highest in several states in the South and Midwest.

NEW YORK — Research has indicated that about half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, raising concerns about the growth of bacteria resistant to them, but a new study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that prescriptions are highest in several states in the South and Midwest.

The study, published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, was based on a database maintained by IMS Health that includes a sample of more than 70% of U.S. prescriptions.

April 10, 2013

With the growing concern of the abuse of prescription stimulants like Adderall on college campuses, the Cardinal Health Foundation and the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy introduced Generation Rx University, the fourth in a series of interactive toolkits designed to help reduce the abuse of prescription drugs.

DUBLIN, Ohio — With the growing concern of the abuse of prescription stimulants like Adderall on college campuses, the Cardinal Health Foundation and the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy on Wednesday introduced Generation Rx University, the fourth in a series of interactive toolkits designed to help reduce the abuse of prescription drugs. 

April 10, 2013

Legislation designed to limit the use of biosimilars has met defeat in Maryland.

WASHINGTON — Legislation designed to limit the use of biosimilars has met defeat in Maryland.

April 10, 2013

Those older than 40 years may be making a negative impact on the future of the U.S. economy with the way they eat, live and keep track of their health, according to a white paper released Wednesday by the MetLife Mature Market Institute and co-authored by the Center for Healthy Aging.

NEW YORK — Those older than 40 years may be making a negative impact on the future of the U.S. economy with the way they eat, live and keep track of their health, according to a white paper released Wednesday by the MetLife Mature Market Institute and co-authored by the Center for Healthy Aging. 

April 9, 2013

A majority of Americans say chronic pain ranks far below drug addiction as a major health problem, according to a new poll.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A majority of Americans say chronic pain ranks far below drug addiction as a major health problem, according to a new poll.

April 9, 2013

Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs will move into a new North America headquarters and set up new laboratory space later this year, the company said Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs will move into a new North America headquarters and set up new laboratory space later this year, the company said Tuesday.

The India-based company said it had entered into two lease agreements for a new headquarters and research-and-development center in Princeton, N.J. These include a 75,500-sq.-ft. office space at 107 College Rd East and a 31,000-sq.-ft. office and laboratory at 303 College Rd East.

April 9, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

ROSEMONT, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Drug maker Duchesnay USA said the FDA approved Diclegis (doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride) delayed-release tablets in the 10 mg/10 mg strength for NVP, more commonly known as morning sickness, in women who don't respond to conservative treatment. NVP is estimated to affect 70-85% of pregnant women, and symptoms range from nausea to severe vomiting and retching that can last throughout the day.

April 9, 2013

The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy has named James Smeeding its first executive director, the group said. The announcement was made during its first Specialty Pharmacy Conference in San Diego, which drew more than 500 participants.

TAMPA, Fla. — The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy has named James Smeeding its first executive director, the group said Tuesday. The announcement was made during its first Specialty Pharmacy Conference in San Diego, which drew more than 500 participants.

Smeeding is the founder of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy's Center for Pharmacoeconomic studies and has worked for a variety of companies and organizations, including the TPG National Payor Roundtable, the Jestarx Group, Digital Health Dialog and others.

April 9, 2013

The new world of targeted, specialized medicines — many of them bioengineered and many of them aimed at smaller and smaller segments of the population — isn’t just on its way. It’s here. And it’s going to radically change the practice of pharmacy.

Here’s an eye-opener: Specialty drugs will likely account for 50% of all drug costs by 2018, up from 28.7% of total prescription drug costs in 2012.

The new world of targeted, specialized medicines — many of them bioengineered and many of them aimed at smaller and smaller segments of the population — isn’t just on its way. It’s here. And it’s going to radically change the practice of pharmacy.

Here’s an eye-opener: Specialty drugs will likely account for 50% of all drug costs by 2018, up from 28.7% of total prescription drug costs in 2012.