Content about Prescription drug

October 5, 2011
NACDS expresses position on two drug safety bills

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday voiced its strong opposition to a piece of legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, which would require a mandatory track-and-trace system — a move that could cost the typical pharmacy chain millions of dollars to implement across all stores.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As Congress considers measures to protect the nation's prescription drug distribution system, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday voiced its strong opposition to a piece of legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, which would require a mandatory track-and-trace system — a move that could cost the typical pharmacy chain millions of dollars to implement across all stores.

October 3, 2011
Coventry Health Care unveils Walgreens, Walmart, Target Medicare plan network

Coventry Health Care on Saturday announced that it has partnered with Walgreens, Walmart and Target for 2012 to offer a Medicare prescription drug plan known as First Health Value Plus.

BETHESDA, Md. — Coventry Health Care on Saturday announced that it has partnered with Walgreens, Walmart and Target for 2012 to offer a Medicare prescription drug plan known as First Health Value Plus.

As Coventry’s newest Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, First Health Value Plus is the lowest premium, zero-dollar deductible Part D plan in the United States, the company stated.

September 27, 2011
Poll: More Americans endanger health amid tough economy

A growing number of Americans are putting their health at risk in order to save money, according to a new study.

YONKERS, N.Y. — A growing number of Americans are putting their health at risk in order to save money, according to a new study.

Consumer Reports' annual prescription drug poll found that 48% of respondents currently taking a prescription drug said they'd cut healthcare costs by putting off a doctor's visit or medical procedure, declining tests or ordering drugs from outside the United States — a 9% increase over 2010.

September 26, 2011
Cap keeps kids, teens out of drugs

Cap-n-Lock has launched an easy way for people taking prescription drugs to keep them out of the hands of children and teenagers.

LINCOLN, Calif. — Cap-n-Lock has launched an easy way for people taking prescription drugs to keep them out of the hands of children and teenagers.

The company announced Monday the launch of the Locking Cap, a combination locking cap designed to work with existing prescription medication bottles. The cap is designed for ease of use, combining sturdy PVC construction with a four-digit combination locking mechanism.

September 26, 2011
Senate designates October National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month

The U.S. Senate last week adopted a resolution designating the month of October 2011 as “National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month” to raise attention to the problem of prescription medicine abuse, especially by teenagers.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate last week adopted a resolution designating the month of October 2011 as “National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month” to raise attention to the problem of prescription medicine abuse, especially by teenagers.

September 20, 2011
Pharmacy, consumer groups put full-court press on Washington to block 'pernicious effects' of ESI-Medco merger

Only one stakeholder stands to gain from the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco — and that would be the new “mega PBM” the deal would create, not payers, and definitely not patients, either.

WASHINGTON — Only one stakeholder stands to gain from the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco — and that would be the new “mega PBM” the deal would create, not payers, and definitely not patients, either.

September 14, 2011
NACDS applauds bipartisan bills that seek to preserve patient pharmacy choice

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday sent letters to U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., applauding their sponsorship of companion legislation that seeks to preserve pharmacy choice for patients.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday sent letters to U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., applauding their sponsorship of companion legislation that seeks to preserve pharmacy choice for patients.

September 12, 2011
Flip the switch


As the clock winds down on the patent exclusivity of the industry’s biggest blockbuster drug in November, speculation continues to grow that Pfizer will look to flip the switch on an OTC version of Lipitor (atorvastatin) before generic competition whittles away at the $7 billion behemoth. 



As the clock winds down on the patent exclusivity of the industry’s biggest blockbuster drug in November, speculation continues to grow that Pfizer will look to flip the switch on an OTC version of Lipitor (atorvastatin) before generic competition whittles away at the $7 billion behemoth. 


September 6, 2011
Francesco identifies next generation of switch

Francesco International on Tuesday released a Rx-to-OTC projection report covering potential switches through 2016.

LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Francesco International on Tuesday released a Rx-to-OTC projection report covering potential switches through 2016. The potential switches include drugs prescribed for chronic use or for asymptomatic conditions — two switch hurdles that to date have not cleared the Food and Drug Administration approval process.

August 29, 2011
Report: Google co-founder knew about illegal pharmacy ads

Top officials at Google knew about ads for online black-market pharmacies displayed on the Internet search giant's website, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Top officials at Google knew about ads for online black-market pharmacies displayed on the Internet search giant's website, according to published reports.

Forbes magazine reported that federal investigators said Google co-founder Larry Page was aware that the ads were illegal but still allowed them to be displayed, based on documents related to the case. The article quoted a company spokesman as saying that the company had settled and was "moving on," but that it should not have allowed the ads.

August 18, 2011
NACDS, NCPA: Ensuring patients' choice of pharmacy helps promote medication adherence

Prescription drug costs “cannot be viewed in a vacuum” and pharmacist-provided medication therapy management and counseling must be considered in any comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association urged in a joint statement issued on Thursday amid the release of two studies on medication adherence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Prescription drug costs “cannot be viewed in a vacuum” and pharmacist-provided medication therapy management and counseling must be considered in any comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association urged in a joint statement issued on Thursday amid the release of two studies on medication adherence.

August 11, 2011
Cardinal helps fund awareness around prescription drug abuse

The Cardinal Health Foundation on Thursday announced nearly $210,000 in grant funding to 14 nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to combating prescription drug abuse.

DUBLIN, Ohio — The Cardinal Health Foundation on Thursday announced nearly $210,000 in grant funding to 14 nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to combating prescription drug abuse.

Grant recipients were selected from five key communities where high concentrations of Cardinal Health employees live and work: Albuquerque, N.M.; central Ohio; El Paso, Texas; LaVergne, Tenn.; and Radcliff, Ky.

August 9, 2011
N.Y. state mail-order bill would raise drug costs, reduce access, FTC says

A bill awaiting a signature or veto from New York governor Andrew Cuomo that would restrict home delivery of chronic medications has attracted criticism from the Federal Trade Commission and the pharmacy benefit manager lobby.

WASHINGTON — A bill awaiting a signature or veto from New York governor Andrew Cuomo that would restrict home delivery of chronic medications has attracted criticism from the Federal Trade Commission and the pharmacy benefit manager lobby.

In a letter to New York state Sen. James Seward responding to the senator's request for comments, the FTC said New York Assembly Bill 5502-B would harm consumers and raise the prices of drugs while reducing access to them.

August 3, 2011
Topco institutes OTC substitution program for generic Rx

Topco, a member-owned cooperative serving the food industry, recently kicked off an initiative substituting its TopCare-branded over-the-counter medicines for the equivalent prescription pharmaceutical, where appropriate, in an effort to save patient dollars and promote the TopCare brand.

SKOKIE, Ill. — Topco, a member-owned cooperative serving the food industry, recently kicked off an initiative substituting its TopCare-branded over-the-counter medicines for the equivalent prescription pharmaceutical, where appropriate, in an effort to save patient dollars and promote the TopCare brand.

July 28, 2011
NACDS outlines continued efforts in improving patient health to Senate committee

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Thursday that it submitted comments to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which held a hearing Thursday titled "FDA User Fees: Advancing Public Health," outlining community pharmacy's commitment to addressing drug safety and the appropriate use of prescription medications to help improve patient health.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Thursday that it submitted comments to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which held a hearing Thursday titled "FDA User Fees: Advancing Public Health," outlining community pharmacy's commitment to addressing drug safety and the appropriate use of prescription medications to help improve patient health.

July 14, 2011
Legislation introduced to restore OTCs as qualified FSA/HSA reimbursements

Four legislators on Thursday introduced legislation that would restore over-the-counter medicines as qualified reimbursements under health spending accounts and flexible spending accounts without a prescription.

WASHINGTON — Four legislators on Thursday introduced legislation that would restore over-the-counter medicines as qualified reimbursements under health spending accounts and flexible spending accounts without a prescription. A provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted in January had created a prescription requirement in order for OTC medicines to qualify for pre-tax reimbursements. 

June 29, 2011
Consumer Reports: Rx labels miss mark on providing important safety information

Important safety information often is missing from drug labels, while some pharmacies don’t include medication guides required by the federal government, according to a new investigation by Consumer Reports.

YONKERS, N.Y. — Important safety information often is missing from drug labels, while some pharmacies don’t include medication guides required by the federal government, according to a new investigation by Consumer Reports.

June 28, 2011
NACDS proposes 'one-document solution' for medication info to the FDA

The Obama administration recently called on the public for ideas to streamline federal regulations. In response, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has sent its suggestion to the Food and Drug Administration.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Obama administration recently called on the public for ideas to streamline federal regulations. In response, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has sent its suggestion to the Food and Drug Administration.

June 27, 2011
With law ban, marketing system for Rxs is safe... for now

The law targeting data mining in Vermont, along with laws in New Hampshire and Maine, would have forced drug companies to significantly change the way they market drugs to physicians had the Supreme Court allowed them to stand in the case of Sorrell, Attorney General of Vermont, et al. vs. IMS Health Inc., et al.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The law targeting data mining in Vermont, along with laws in New Hampshire and Maine, would have forced drug companies to significantly change the way they market drugs to physicians had the Supreme Court allowed them to stand in the case of Sorrell, Attorney General of Vermont, et al. vs. IMS Health Inc., et al.

(THE NEWS: Supreme Court strikes down Rx data mining law. For the full story, click here.)

June 13, 2011
NCPA seeks nominations for independent pharmacy, Rx drug safety awards

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday announced that nominations currently are being accepted for its Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award and the NCPA Prescription Drug Safety Award.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday announced that nominations currently are being accepted for its Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award and the NCPA Prescription Drug Safety Award.

June 6, 2011
White House roundtable discussion: Health information technology can help curb Rx abuse

The White House on Friday held a roundtable discussion with approximately two dozen leaders across the public safety, healthcare and technology sectors to address how health information technology can help limit prescription drug abuse, the National Community Pharmacists Association noted in a release on Monday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The White House on Friday held a roundtable discussion with approximately two dozen leaders across the public safety, healthcare and technology sectors to address how health information technology can help limit prescription drug abuse, the National Community Pharmacists Association noted in a release on Monday.

The main focus was how data from prescription drug monitoring programs can better facilitate prescribing, be incorporated into pharmacies and be leveraged in emergency rooms, the association stated.

June 1, 2011
NCPA's Keith Hodges discusses pharmacy robberies, Rx abuse in CNN segment

As part of a series on prescription drugs in America, CNN’s “American Morning” program on Wednesday hosted Safeguard My Meds spokesman and National Community Pharmacists Association executive committee member Keith Hodges to discuss pharmacy robberies and prescription drug abuse in a segment called “Pharmacies as Targets.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As part of a series on prescription drugs in America, CNN’s “American Morning” program on Wednesday hosted Safeguard My Meds spokesman and National Community Pharmacists Association executive committee member Keith Hodges to discuss pharmacy robberies and prescription drug abuse in a segment called “Pharmacies as Targets.”

“Prescription drug use is on the rise, especially over the last 10 to 15 years, and pharmacies are an easy target,” Hodges told CNN reporter Kiran Chetry.

May 18, 2011
Taking a bite out of Rx costs with BigAppleRx card

A newly launched prescription card offers discounts at more than 2,000 pharmacies in New York.

NEW YORK — A newly launched prescription card offers discounts at more than 2,000 pharmacies in New York.

May 16, 2011
N.Y. lawmakers seek to help patients with low health literacy

State lawmakers in New York have introduced legislation that would require simplifying and translating medication labels and providing oral interpretation services.

NEW YORK — State lawmakers in New York have introduced legislation that would require simplifying and translating medication labels and providing oral interpretation services.

May 13, 2011
Chain pharmacy lauds Obama administration's plan to curb Rx diversion, misuse

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Friday that it sent a letter to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in support of the administration's strategy to prevent and reduce prescription drug diversion and misuse. Last month, the administration released its report, "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis," detailing its policy recommendations.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Friday that it sent a letter to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in support of the administration's strategy to prevent and reduce prescription drug diversion and misuse. Last month, the administration released its report, "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis," detailing its policy recommendations.