How Good Are We?
When presented with prescriptions that would cause serious interaction problems, what percent of pharmacists would notice the problem?
Nevada Law on Diabetes Meds Has a Setback
The Nevada law to fight high diabetes drug prices has stumbled.
Independent Pharmacy Sued Over Fentanyl Overdose Death
A pharmacy in Pennsylvania allowed a man to pick up his mother's prescription for fentanyl after being told not to allow it, with tragic results.
Is Express Scripts ‘slamming’ pharmacy customers?
Five pharmacies from four states have filed a class-action lawsuit against pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.
Naloxone: Liability, regulatory concerns for pharmacists
The rules vary from state to state. Pharmacists need to stay informed.
The dilemma of Molly’s mom: Pharmacists, technicians respond
In some professions, eternal vigilance comes with the territory.
Court: Wrongful death case against pharmacy can proceed
A Florida appeals court recently ruled that the estate of an Ohio man who died from a fatal dose of pain medication could sue the compounding pharmacy that filled the prescription.
Does videotape support CVS or fired pharmacist?
That’s the question a Richmond, Va. jury will decide in a case involving a pharmacist who accuses the retail giant of defamation, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The stroke that shouldn't have been
Molly’s mom had a stroke, followed by hospitalization and weeks of rehabilitation. None of it had to happen.
Walmart pharmacist’s award slashed by $14 million
A federal judge has significantly reduced the amount a jury recently ordered Walmart to pay a pharmacist who claimed she was wrongfully terminated.
Can pharmacists be sued for doing their jobs?
Pharmacists are drug specialists. If their duty is to use their knowledge in service to patients, can they be sued for speaking up?
Ohio pharmacists gain ground with expanded CPAs
Ohio Governor Kasich has signed into law a bill granting pharmacists additional powers under collaborative practice agreements with physicians.
Sterile compounding: Regulations, best practices, and industry standards
Where things stand, where they're headed, and what you need to do now.
The power of Total Quality Management
Even in the best of circumstances, mistakes happen. CQI can keep them from becoming medication errors that reach the patients.
Judge refuses to dismiss defamation lawsuit against CVS
A judge has ruled that a doctor’s defamation lawsuit against CVS Pharmacy can proceed, denying the chain’s argument that alleged comments from pharmacy employees were protected by a recognized privilege.
Should boards of pharmacy set hourly dispensing quotas?
Remember the "POGO" comic strip? "We have met the enemy and he is us." According to Ken Baker, it's kind of like that.
Tennessee orders PBMs to comply with MAC law
Prescription reimbursements: Tennessee lays down the law.
Judge dismisses pharmacist’s CVS overtime lawsuit
U.S. District Court Judge Mark Kearney recently dismissed the class-action lawsuit of a Pennsylvania pharmacist who claimed CVS failed to pay him overtime pay.
The pharmacist’s calling is to educate patients
Today’s pharmacist is much more than a healthcare professional who oversees the distribution of drugs. Pharmacists can be and often are the patient’s first-line healthcare educator and risk manager.
Does CVS overcharge some customers for generics?
That’s the allegation made in a potential class action lawsuit that claims CVS deliberately overcharged some customers for generic drugs by submitting claims to their insurance companies at inflated prices.
Court ruling clears way for first U.S. biosimilar launch
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington has ruled that Novartis AG’s Sandoz may begin selling the first copy of Amgen Inc.’s Neupogen as soon as Sept. 2.
Pseudoephedrine primer: Federal and state regulations
Federal and state laws impose limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine a person may buy and a pharmacy may sell. Your state's limits may be more strict than the limits imposed by the feds.
A HIPAA violation, a $1.8 million verdict, and three takeaways
Pharmacists swear to promote the good of every patient. But stuff can happen. It wouldn't hurt to take out some insurance. Just in case.
50,000 painkillers stolen from pharmacy
The Virginia State Board of pharmacy has temporarily closed a Richmond pharmacy from which more than 50,000 controlled substances were stolen during a two-year period, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone.
Does your pharmacy comply with quality assurance requirements?
Some tips on what constitutes a QA and how to comply with pharmacy law when creating one.
Sale of biosimilar Zarxio delayed until at least June 3
Although the biosimilar Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz,) was approved in March, the manufacturer, Sandoz/Novartis, has been delayed from selling the drug until a patent dispute with Amgen is resolved.
No CVS employees injured during Baltimore looting, fires
No CVS employees or customers were injured during the looting and fires at several of the company’s Baltimore locations hours after the funeral of a 25-year-old man who died in police custody.
Too many pharmacists? No. Greater need to use them wisely? Yes!
The probable is not pharmacist glut. The problem is underused pharmacists.
Pharmacist forfeits $2 million to settle illegal distribution charges
A Mississippi pharmacist has agreed to forfeit $2 million he earned through an online scheme that distributed painkillers to customers who had not received medical consultations.
Pharmacy dispensing errors: Claims study emphasizes need for systematic vigilance
If you're waffling on the idea of taking out professional liability insurance, read this and think again.