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Dispensing fees woefully inadequate, says study

When it comes to the cost of dispensing medications and the dispensing fee paid by Medicaid, a new study confirms the bad news that many pharmacists already know. The national average cost of dispensing medications is $10.50 per prescription, not including the cost of the medicine, according to The Cost of Dispensing, a national study released recently by the Coalition for Community Pharmacy Action (CCPA). The coalition is an alliance between the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association.

Only 100+ days left to NPI kickoff: Are you ready?

More than 1.6 million physicians, pharmacists, and healthcare companies have registered for the new National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, but experts warn that time is quickly running out. Although the date of the switchover for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is May 23, officials at CMS and the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) are urging pharmacists to be prepared by March 1 to ensure a smooth transition. And some payers, such as the state of Delaware, are requiring NPIs even before the May 23 deadline.

Democrats reopen debate on Medicare Part D

The Democrats opened a new salvo in the battle over the Medicare drug benefit with the introduction of the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007. The bill, which passed the House mostly along party lines, mandates that the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) negotiate directly with drug companies over drug prices charged to prescription drug plans (PDPs). Still, the bill's future and how it will impact pharmacy remains unclear.