Content about Regulatory and Washington

April 25, 2013

PCAN urges expansion of pharmacists' vaccination ability

A coalition of consumers, businesses and pharmacists is promoting greater access to immunizations to mark World Immunization Week, which lasts from April 24 to 30.

WASHINGTON — A coalition of consumers, businesses and pharmacists is promoting greater access to immunizations to mark World Immunization Week, which started Wednesday and lasts until next Tuesday.

Pharmacy Choice and Access Now said it was encouraging states to expand the types of vaccines that pharmacists can administer.

April 25, 2013

Strengthening of drug supply chain's effects on independent pharmacies raises concerns

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health heard testimony on Thursday morning from representatives of the Food and Drug Administration and several industry trade groups following the introduction of draft legislation that sponsors said would strengthen the country's pharmaceutical supply chain.

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health heard testimony on Thursday morning from representatives of the Food and Drug Administration and several industry trade groups following the introduction of draft legislation that sponsors said would strengthen the country's pharmaceutical supply chain.

April 24, 2013

FDA approves drug for opioid-induced constipation

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for constipation related to use of opioid painkillers made by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the drug makers said.

BETHESDA, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for constipation related to use of opioid painkillers made by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the drug makers said.

April 24, 2013

Hospira looks to U.S. as it marks European biosimilar milestone

Generic drug maker Hospira marked its fifth year marketing knock-off versions of biotech drugs in Europe Wednesday as it presented at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention this week.

CHICAGO — Generic drug maker Hospira marked its fifth year marketing knock-off versions of biotech drugs in Europe Wednesday as it presented at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention this week.

The drug maker said it delivered more than 5 million doses of biosimilar medicines to patients in Europe and Australia. The convention includes multiple sessions devoted to such topics as biosimilar regulatory approval, manufacturing and market formation, the company said.

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

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

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

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

NACDS announces 2013-2014 officers, welcomes new members to executive committee, board

During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting today, the association elected the new officers, two new executive committee members and four new board of directors members for the coming year.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting today, the association elected the new officers, two new executive committee members and four new board of directors members for the coming year.

Robert Narveson, president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, was elected as the new NACDS chairman of the board of directors, succeeding Gregory Wasson, president and CEO of Walgreens.

April 22, 2013

Stephanie Narveson welcomes attendees to NACDS luncheon

Stephanie Narveson, wife of Bob Narveson, incoming NACDS chairman and president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, welcomed attendees of the NACDS luncheon for spouses and companions.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Stephanie Narveson, wife of Bob Narveson, incoming NACDS chairman and president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, welcomed attendees of the NACDS luncheon for spouses and companions.

April 21, 2013

Bob Narveson on pharmacy's role in health care

This is going to be a big year for community pharmacy, said Thrifty White president and CEO Bob Narveson, as the nation reaches full implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2014.

FARGO, N.D. — This is going to be a big year for community pharmacy, said Thrifty White president and CEO Bob Narveson, as the nation reaches full implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2014.

April 21, 2013

Future of pay-for-delay in hands of SCOTUS

Last month, the Supreme Court heard Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, which could impact the future of the generic drug industry at a time when 80% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States are generic.

Last month, the Supreme Court heard Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, which could impact the future of the generic drug industry at a time when 80% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States are generic.

April 21, 2013

Game on: Clinics & chronic care

This month Walgreens announced that it would begin to offer chronic care services at its Take Care Clinics. Its biggest competitor, MinuteClinic, made a similar announcement about a year ago. With full implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the people paying the bills are going to get a good look at what retail clinics can do to lower costs and improve outcomes.

April 21, 2013

Q&A: Rx to health-savings model

DSN talked with Suzanne Hansen, Walgreens group VP pharmacy operations, about how Walgreens is shifting its pharmacy service model to a comprehensive health-savings offering.

Pharmacy is evolving from a dispensing model to a service model, and the reason can be traced to a confluence of factors. One, healthcare reform is setting employers and payers in search of cost-efficient care models. Pharmacy is a highly cost-efficient facilitator of improved outcomes. Second, with more of the costs being shouldered by the employee, they, too, are in search of less expensive care. Retail clinics and robust OTC sets address those needs.

April 21, 2013

Retail execs act as Capitol Hill advocates

Hundreds of community pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and other pharmacy advocates representing 41,000 chain pharmacies took to Capitol Hill from March 13 to 14 for the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day and conducted more than 400 meetings with U.S. senators and representatives.

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of community pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and other pharmacy advocates representing 41,000 chain pharmacies took to Capitol Hill from March 13 to 14 for the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day and conducted more than 400 meetings with U.S. senators and representatives. In support of the event, DSN published the third edition of its special RxImpact supplement.

April 21, 2013

Twitter, social media amplify RxImpact conversation

This year at the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day, the voice of community pharmacy reached far beyond the office walls of U.S. senators and representatives as community pharmacy advocates — and even members of Congress — took to Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

"It definitely seemed that we had even better engagement in using Twitter at NACDS RxImpact this year than I think we've had at pretty much any other NACDS event," said Chris Krese, SVP marketing, communications and media relations for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

April 19, 2013

Abbott Diabetes Care recalls FreeStyle lnsulinx Blood Glucose Meters

Abbott Diabetes Care last week initiated a voluntary recall of its FreeStyle lnsulinx Blood Glucose Meters in the United States.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Abbott Diabetes Care earlier this week initiated a voluntary recall of its FreeStyle lnsulinx Blood Glucose Meters in the United States.

"Our first priority is to safeguard the health and safety of patients," stated Heather Mason, SVP Diabetes Care, Abbott. "We are committed to ensuring that our customers are able to continue to test their blood glucose with confidence, and we initiated this voluntary recall to ensure our products continue to meet the highest standards of quality and safety."

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

CHPA's Stop Medicine Abuse campaign named honoree for the 17th Annual Webby Awards

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Stop Medicine Abuse campaign was selected as an official honoree in the 17th Annual Webby Awards in the Family/Parenting category, the over-the-counter association announced.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Stop Medicine Abuse campaign was selected as an official honoree in the 17th Annual Webby Awards in the Family/Parenting category, the over-the-counter association announced Thursday.

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.