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Overweight diabetes patients often look for answers in their drugstores' weight-loss aisles, where so-called natural products are available OTC. Not all these products are safe, and many patients don't realize it.

With its interpretation, HHS effectively eliminated approximately $1.50 per reminder in payments made to pharmacies by drug manufacturers.

Drug-disposal options in the United States are still evolving, and patients often do not know proper procedures. As the most accessible of healthcare professionals, pharmacists have a responsibility to promote best practices.

Pharmacists speak out

The AMA raised a ruckus over "drug store intrusion into medical practice." Turns out, lots of folks may have missed the point.

When pharmacist step up communications with patients and other healthcare providers, they see improved medication adherence, better patient outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs.

Fight for survival

Getting active in pharmacy causes brings plenty of reward - for your business, your community, and your profession. Here are some tips from some successful campaigners who are in it for the long haul.

New products

New Rx, indications, generics, OTC, and devices.

Partly based on its support of medication adherence efforts, Merck & Co. Inc. received the National Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA) 2013 Corporation Recognition Award.

Ed Horton, RPh, owner of Tanglewood Pharmacy and Medical Supplies in Stephenville, Texas, has been named the 2013 National Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA) Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year.

Patients, employers, and health plans are continuing to be burdened by the rising costs and use of specialty drugs. However, employers and health plans can control specialty drug costs more easily with the help of Prime Therapeutics’ new report.

Community pharmacists are well positioned to take advantage of new models of patient care delivery under the Affordable Care Act (ACT) as individuals enroll in the new Healthcare Insurance Marketplace and under Medicaid expansion, according to Carol Kelly, NACDS senior vice president of government affairs and public policy, on the NACDS website.

Under a priority review to help alleviate a drug shortage, FDA has approved lipid injectable emulsion, USP (Clinolipid, Baxter Healthcare) for intravenous feeding (parenteral nutrition) in adult patients, providing a source of calories and essential fatty acids for adult patients who are unable to eat or drink.

Chronic use of opioids among obese patients prior to bariatric surgery continues after bariatric surgery, and the dose. has been shown to be greater postoperatively than preoperatively, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Patients who skip filling an antibiotic prescription after hospital discharge because of high out-of-pocket costs are at increased risk of rehospitalization and cost the healthcare system substantially more in the long term, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed provider-status legislation authorizing pharmacists throughout the Golden State to give a full range of immunizations, as well as dispensing birth control pills and certain medications for international travel.