NCPA seeks to correct flex spending requirements
August 5th 2009The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) recently wrote to a key standards-setting body requesting action on a number of regarding a new Internal Revenue Service requirement meant to ensure flexible spending account debit cards are used properly that is seen by the association as problematic.
California legislative committee examines pharmacy workplace issues
August 4th 2009The California State Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment recently held an informational hearing on the subject of workplace conditions in retail pharmacies. Among those testifying were pharmacists, academics, students, consumer advocates, and representatives of the California Retailers Association.
Collaboration with physicians improves patient care, revenues
August 3rd 2009Orlando, Fla.--Pharmacists can collaborate with physicians and other health professionals in many ways, including through drug therapy management programs, pharmacy vaccine programs, and practice agreements, to build revenue streams and improve patient outcomes.
NCPA continues fight against surety bond
July 29th 2009The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is still working to urge Congress to exempt community pharmacies from the Oct. 1 accreditation and surety bond requirements needed to continue providing durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) to Medicare patients.
FDA moving cautiously on tobacco regulation
July 8th 2009Congress gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jurisdiction over tobacco in June, but don?t look for any quick changes in tobacco policy, products, or marketing. The agency is asking the public for guidance before jumping into regulation.
What state boards are doing about medication errors (Web Extra)
July 1st 2009As of June 2009, it appears that North Carolina remains the only state to require any consistent public reporting of pharmacy-associated medication errors. In North Carolina, pharmacists must report errors associated with deaths.
Update: NCPA accuses CVS of questionable marketing practices
May 14th 2009More than 80 community pharmacists from the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and several patients met with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) May 13 to discuss concerns about the impact of the March 2007 CVS/Caremark merger and to urge the FTC to re-examine it.
Wyeth liability case advances in California
March 19th 2009California may be moving toward a new form of liability. The state Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Wyeth in a case the held the drug maker liable for injuries caused by generic versions of Reglan (metoclopramide) made by another manufacturer.
Bill would allow community pharmacies to negotiate with PBMs
March 3rd 2009In an effort to permit community pharmacies to negotiate better contracts, Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) recently introduced legislation designed to level the playing field between community pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).