Content about Virginia

March 26, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association last week called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

March 25, 2013

Ben & Jerry's announced the addition of Chocolate Peppermint Crunch ice cream to round out the company's 2013 lineup of new full-time options.

BURLINGTON, Va. — Ben & Jerry's announced today the addition of Chocolate Peppermint Crunch ice cream to round out the company's 2013 lineup of new full-time options.

Chocolate Peppermint Crunch is a chocolate ice cream laced with swirls of peppermint and fudge and mint cookie pieces mixed in.

Chocolate Peppermint Crunch joins other 2013 full-time flavors, such as:

March 21, 2013

A recent Wall Street Journal article, “10 Things Drugstores Won’t Tell You,” has caught the attention of National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, who responded to the article by saying that it put sensational headlines and statements ahead of the facts, thus depicting pharmacies inaccurately.

ARLINGTON, Va. — A recent Wall Street Journal article, “10 Things Drugstores Won’t Tell You,” has caught the attention of National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, who responded to the article by saying that it put sensational headlines and statements ahead of the fa

March 21, 2013

Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia has signed into law the first bill that could limit the reach of follow-on biologics, though the bill includes a two-year sunset clause, meaning it will expire in 2015.

WASHINGTON — Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia has signed into law the first bill that could limit the reach of follow-on biologics, though the bill includes a two-year sunset clause, meaning it will expire in 2015.

McDonnell signed House bill 1422 and the identical Senate bill 1285, which would prevent a pharmacist from dispensing a biosimilar to substitute for the original, branded biologic if the prescriber indicated that substitution was not allowed or if the patient insisted on receiving the branded product.

March 15, 2013

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced the promotions of two staff members that were effective March 1.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Friday the promotions of two staff members, that were effective March 1.

Roy McGrath has been promoted to VP of business development and conventions, from director of business development and conventions.  

Alex Adams has been promoted to VP of pharmacy programs for NACDS, and VP of NACDS Foundation research programs, from director of pharmacy programs.

March 15, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association endorsed H.R. 1188, legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Judy Chu, D-Calif., that would allow independent community pharmacies to collectively negotiate.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday endorsed H.R. 1188, legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Judy Chu, D-Calif. The bill will allow independent community pharmacies to collectively negotiate the terms and conditions of insurance contracts they must sign, typically with pharmacy benefit managers that administer prescription drug plans. 

March 15, 2013

Safeway announced the retirement of Bruce Everette, EVP retail operations. Kelly Griffith, current president of merchandising, has been chosen to succeed Everette.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Friday announced the retirement of Bruce Everette, EVP retail operations. Kelly Griffith, current president of merchandising, has been chosen to succeed Everette.

"We are deeply grateful to Bruce for his significant and lasting contribution to our company's success," stated Steve Burd, chairman and CEO. "He is the consummate operating executive whose results and people-oriented approach to the business leave an unmistakable imprint on who we are as a company."

March 12, 2013

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that Nancy-Ann DeParle, former deputy chief of staff for policy for President Barack Obama, will be the keynote speaker at the NACDS Chain Members and Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC) breakfast, which will be held on April 22 during the NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

 ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that Nancy-Ann DeParle, former deputy chief of staff for policy for President Barack Obama, will be the keynote speaker at the NACDS Chain Members and Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC) breakfast, which will be held on April 22 during the NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

March 11, 2013

A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

March 7, 2013

The cost of diabetes has increased by more than $70 billion over the past five years, according to new research from the American Diabetes Association.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The cost of diabetes has increased by more than $70 billion over the past five years, according to new research from the American Diabetes Association.

The ADA announced the release of a report estimating that the total costs of diagnosed diabetes had risen 41%, from 2007's $174 billion to $245 billion in 2012. The report, Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2012, was commissioned by the ADA and addresses increased financial burden, health resources used and lost productivity associated with the disease.

March 6, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association joined the North Dakota Pharmacy Association in support of a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill that was passed by the state assembly by a vote of 93-0 on Feb. 25.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday joined the North Dakota Pharmacy Association in support of a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill that was passed by the state assembly by a vote of 93-0 on Feb. 25. 

March 4, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced. 

March 1, 2013

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has launched a mobile app for its upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., the retail pharmacy trade group said.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has launched a mobile app for its upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., the retail pharmacy trade group said.

Sponsored by the Emerson Group, the app is designed to provide attendees with an updated schedule, list of speakers, floor plan, list of companies and other important information. The meeting takes place from April 20-23.

March 1, 2013

Publix may join Royal Ahold later this month in making a bid for the more than 200 Harris Teeter supermarkets, according to a report published Friday by Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the situation.

NEW YORK — Publix may join Royal Ahold later this month in making a bid for the more than 200 Harris Teeter supermarkets, according to a report published Friday by Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the situation. 

Virginia and North Carolina would represent new markets for Publix if the Florida-based grocer acquired Harris Teeter. Publix has already marked North Carolina for expansion with plans to open two stores in the state in 2014. 

March 1, 2013

Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

February 28, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for its hearing on “Fostering Innovation to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Health Care.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for its hearing on “Fostering Innovation to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Health Care.” NCPA’s statement called for pharmacy audits to focus on true waste, fraud and abuse as opposed to clerical errors, and for policymakers to examine mail-order waste in federal health programs. 

February 28, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association applauded the Kentucky Senate for voting to pass S.B. 107, a bill that will provide transparency regarding how pharmacy reimbursements are determined for multiple source generic drugs, and establish an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday applauded the Kentucky Senate for voting to pass S.B. 107, a bill that will provide transparency regarding how pharmacy reimbursements are determined for multiple source generic drugs, and establish an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels. 

February 28, 2013

Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

The Senate Finance Committee hearing, titled "Delivery System Reform: Progress Report from CMS," included Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

February 27, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday commended a bipartisan push for the Government Accountability Office to review the impact on patients of sharp reductions in reimbursement for diabetes test supplies provided by community pharmacies to Medicare beneficiaries.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday commended a bipartisan push for the Government Accountability Office to review the impact on patients of sharp reductions in reimbursement for diabetes test supplies provided by community pharmacies to Medicare beneficiaries. 

February 26, 2013

A newly conducted study of millions of Medicare Part D prescription drug event data has found that community pharmacies provide 90-day medication supplies at lower cost than mail-order pharmacies and that local pharmacists substitute lower-cost generic drugs more often when compared with mail-order pharmacies.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A newly conducted study of millions of Medicare Part D prescription drug event data has found that community pharmacies provide 90-day medication supplies at lower cost than mail-order pharmacies and that local pharmacists substitute lower-cost generic drugs more often when compared with mail-order pharmacies.

February 26, 2013

A Virginia-based pharmacy school will collaborate with an alliance of more than 22,000 pharmacies around the country to find ways to promote and increase pneumococcal vaccinations among elderly and high-risk people.

LEESBURG, Va. — A Virginia-based pharmacy school will collaborate with an alliance of more than 22,000 pharmacies around the country to find ways to promote and increase pneumococcal vaccinations among elderly and high-risk people.

February 25, 2013

Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

February 22, 2013

The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

February 20, 2013

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 15, 2013

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that author and business consultant Jim Collins will be the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Total Store Expo. The NACDS Total Store Expo will debut Aug. 10 to 13, 2013.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that author and business consultant Jim Collins will be the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Total Store Expo. The NACDS Total Store Expo will debut Aug. 10 to 13, 2013.