Minnesota flagging doctor shoppers to healthcare providers
Minnesota recently sent letters to more than 2,400 healthcare providers identifying patients who may be doctor shopping to obtain prescriptions for painkillers.
California governor signs Rx translation bill
California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation into law that will require pharmacists throughout the state to provide prescription drug labels or medical instructions in five languages besides English.
3 ways to recognize hospital pharmacists this week
It's National Hospital & Health-System Pharmacy Week, and ASHP is encouraging pharmacists to give themselves a shout-out.
Pharmacy-physician partnership hikes efficiencies
Sharing electronic health records (EHRs) access between physicians and pharmacists can improve workflow efficiencies for both, according to a new study.
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.
U.S. prosecutors investigating Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals recently acknowledged that U.S. prosecutors have subpoenaed documents on its drug pricing.
Committee to study issues facing women in pharmacy
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has formed a committee to study the unique challenges and issues faced by women in the pharmacy workforce.
Automation helps hospital greatly reduce parenteral nutrition errors
An automated electronic ordering and compounding system, developed in-house a few years ago, has helped Salt Lake City, Utah-based Primary Children’s Hospital nearly eliminate parenteral nutrition (PN) errors.
Remote monitoring by pharmacists can boost patient outcomes
Pharmacists who provide remote monitoring of three chronic disease states can help patients improve health targets
First Alaska-based pharmacy school program to start in 2016
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is starting a pharmacy school program in partnership with Idaho State University (ISU). It will be the first pharmacy school entirely based in Alaska.
Cohen named dean of Touro College of Pharmacy
Henry Cohen has been named dean of the Touro College of Pharmacy and will begin his new job in January, the school recently announced
Additional painkiller training mandated for Florida pharmacists
The Florida Board of Pharmacy recently approved a new rule mandating additional training for pharmacists in connection with the dispensing of controlled substances.
A pharmacy student's guide to fourth-year excellence
You're in the home stretch, and now's the time to go all out.
Star ratings: A big deal for pharmacies gets bigger
Here's the latest on where the Star Measures will go next.
Pharmacogenomics: The right med, the right dose, every time
Three-quarters of the time, meds prescribed for many common conditions don't work. When the day comes that meds are routinely personalized to the patient, this will cease to be an issue.
Why healthcare's Rodney Dangerfield don't get no respect
Why don't pharmacists get no respect? Here's why, right here.
HHS releases 340B Proposed Guidance
Some big changes to program policies are in the works.
15 keys to the New Pharmacy
In Part 3 of "The New Pharmacy," Mark Burger takes you through the daily checklist of a successful practice.
Boost med adherence rates with motivational interviewing
Mom always said, "You kill more flies with honey." She may have had something there.
Pharmacy residents find a competitive edge
Community pharmacy residency programs are springing up across the country. Here's what they have to offer.
Pharmacy workflow and tobacco-cessation programs
What makes for successful pharmacy implementation of tobacco-cessation programs? A study of 20 Safeway stores delivers some answers.
Renal function decline common in patients treated with DOACs
Deterioration of renal function and an increase in related adverse events is not unusual in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants.
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.
Drug Topics Voices 10-10-2015
Letters, e-mails, posts, and comments from Drug Topics readers
Tennessee orders PBMs to comply with MAC law
Prescription reimbursements: Tennessee lays down the law.
Product Updates for Pharmacists 10-10-2015
New Rx, generics, and OTC
Pharmacy pays $9 million to settle kickback allegations
A Kentucky pharmacy will pay $9.25 million to resolve allegations it received kickbacks from a manufacturer for recommending physicians prescribe a certain drug.
Pharmacists need electronic REMS communication
ASHP has urged FDA to create a centralized electronic system for all Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy programs.
New first-in-class drug therapy for heart failure
In April 2015, FDA approved Ivabradine to reduce the risk of hospitalizations due to worsening heart failure in indicated patients.
Is job satisfaction too much to ask?
As existential questions go, it's a big one for pharmacists. Here's Dennis Miller's answer.