FDA hears from stakeholders about biosimilar product development
May 14th 2012Pharmacists need additional guidance on the handling of biosimilar products in the pharmacy when these products become more widely available following the approval of the biosimilar pathway, said Marcie Bough, senior director of government affairs, APhA, speaking at an FDA hearing last week.
Kentucky law protects pharmacies against unfair PBM audit practices, NACDS says
April 17th 2012The recent passage of a Kentucky bill prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from recouping payments through pharmacy audits when there is no evidence of fraud bodes well for similar federal legislation, according to a recent statement from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
Retail pharmacists vow to keep fighting after Express Scripts-Medco merger approved
April 2nd 2012The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the $29.1 billion merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions on Monday, but the retail pharmacy industry continues to fight the deal, vowing to push a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that it filed on Friday.
Community pharmacies file suit to block merger of Express Scripts, Medco
March 29th 2012The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association, and 9 retail pharmacy companies filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit manager giants Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.
Supreme Court: California pharms can challenge Medicaid cuts
February 23rd 2012California pharmacists are claiming victory after the U.S. Supreme Court sent 3 cases back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Los Angeles. The cases involved injunctions halting Medicaid reimbursement cuts to pharmacies and other providers in California.
Cardinal gets temporary restraining order to halt DEA’s suspension of Florida distribution center
February 7th 2012Cardinal Health has requested a temporary restraining order to block a Drug Enforcement Administration suspension halting controlled-substance shipments from its Lakeland, Fla., distribution center. DEA suspended Cardinal’s distribution license for the Lakeland facility last Friday.
Provider groups file lawsuit against DHCS, HHS over Medicaid program cuts
November 29th 2011Pharmacy and medical groups are suing the California Department of Health Care Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program.