FDA Updates

With the settlement of the class-action lawsuit brought against First DataBank and McKesson by third-party payors accusing the companies of conspiring to inflate average wholesale prices (AWP) of hundreds of drugs, AWP values will roll back from 1.25 to 1.20 times the drugs' wholesale acquisition cost (WAC).

Caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are highly contagious and are present throughout the U.S. population in epidemic proportions. Because the stress of the new school year weakens the body's defenses and triggers cold-sore episodes, September may be called the start of the cold sore "season."

Consumer shopping habits have changed in the new economy and some of those habits will have an impact on purchases of prescriptions and OTC healthcare products for the next few years.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

The kids are going back to school, and opportunities for exposure to head lice abound. In the U.S., an estimated 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year among children 3 to 11 years old. This year, some new products offer relief.

Citizen petitions to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work. Sometimes.

In 2009, economic uncertainties, fear of new influenza strains, and pain are contributing to problems with sleeplessness experienced by many among the U.S. population.

Parents with some understanding of the possible dangers of OTC cold remedies often still give them to their young children.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Several new OTC products are on pharmacy shelves for seasonal sufferers seeking relief.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is endorsing a congressional effort to crack down on the bulk sale of a cough syrup ingredient sometimes abused as a recreational drug.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

Muscle and joint pain: New OTC products offer relief

Boulder, Colo.-based Pharmaca, the nation's first European-style integrative retail pharmacy focuses on treating the whole person. Their successful model made them the choice as Drug Topics' 2009 Chain of the Year.

A retailer's review of best-selling OTC categories, including digestive health, vitamins and supplements, and eye and ear care.

Novation, a healthcare contracting services company based in Texas, has contracted with McKesson Corp?s OneStop Generics Program for its mutual health system customers.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

Drug Topics' exclusive survey on eye care offers pharmacist feedback and brand recommendations.

A San Francisco pilot program for ecological collection of consumer pharmaceutical waste is giving pharmacies nationwide the tools and training to create their own drug take-back programs.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

New OTC products for sore throats include sprays, lozenges, strips, ices, and liquids.

Sun care is a hot category that continues to grow. Regardless of seasonality in most parts of the country and many years of flat sales, this category has come back strong in the last few years thanks to new technology, specialized products, and an overall greater consumer awareness of the sun's dangerous effects.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

New OTC products for coughs and colds are plentiful this year.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

Exclusive DT survey: Pharmacies are selling more OTC headache medications.

Dietary supplements can cloud a healthcare professional's ability to determine an adverse reaction using the existing Naranjo Questionnaire. That was the point Celtina Reinert, PharmD, pharmacist at Sastun Center of Integrative Health Care, Overland Park, Kansas, tried to enforce at a Tuesday session.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics