Pharmacy Alliance focuses on workplace issues
New organization seeks to improve dignity, self-respect & integrity for pharmacy employees by focusing on improving workplace conditions.
Out-of-pocket expenses to rise in 2009 for Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D beneficiaries will see a 7.5% increase in costs in 2009.
PML in CellCept users leads to early warning
FDA issues an early warning of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolic acid.
Neupro patches recalled due to crystallization
Schwarz Pharma recalls rotigotine transdermal system after crystals form in patch.
Joint Commission to hospitals: Take steps to prevent pediatric drug errors
The Joint Commission has issued some specific recommendations to hospitals in an effort to protect kids from drug errors.
Criteria to be met for insulin pump coverage
What are the criteria necessary for insulin pump coverage? Here are some clues.
Insmed selected to complete Congressional questionnaire on establishing follow-on biologics regulatory pathway
Insmed has received a questionnaire from House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Health on develdoping legislation to establish a follow-on biologics regulatory pathway.
Armed with certain strengths, Indian generic companies are on a Tear
The growth of Indian generic companies.
Exclusive survey of R.Ph.s reveals their hopes, fears about generics
This article for the generic supplement highlights findings of an exclusive survey conducted by Advanstar for Drug Topics.
Will e-prescribing encourage generic utilization? Experts believe so
This story addresses the issue of E-prescibing and generic utilization.
Will FDA's efforts to approve generics open the floodgates to approvals?
Gary Buehler is the subject of this question and answer style article that addresses issues pertinent to the generic industry.
Why generic injectables are taking center stage
Generic injectable products are coming into the market. This article details the flood of new entrants.
The top 20 drug companies by retail dollars in 2007
Here is a listing of the top 20 drug firms based on their retail sales for 2007.
Treating kids with cough and cold: Filling the void
The recent FDA voluntary withdrawal of cough and cold OTCs for infants has created a void that pharmacists should fill with patient counseling.
Recent advancements in HIV / AIDS treatment
A review of the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of an HIV infection; methods of detection and diagnosis, and latest medications approved for the treatment of HIV / AIDS.
APhA and NACDS Foundation launch medication therapy management Version 2.0
American Pharmacists Association and the NACDS Foundation launch MTM Version 2.0, an improved model for medication therapy management programs.
CVS Caremark Corp. to pay almost $37 million on retail dispensing practices for ranitidine
CVS Caremark has reached a settlement agrement with Department of Jutice to resolve an investigation into the practice of dispensing the generic ranitidine in capsule rather than tablet form
Medicare Part B expands coverage for warfarin patients monitoring clotting time at home
Medicare Part B has expanded coverage for warfarin patients monitoirng clotting time at home.
Bendamustine approved by FDA for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Bendamustine has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of CLL
DMEPOS competitive bidding program logs 26% discount in first round
The feds have released the pricing for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies for the first round of competitive bidding
CMS outlines 2009 Part D plan requirements
CMS will require Medicare Advantage annd prescription drug plan sponsors in the Medicare Part D program, cover more HIV retrovirals, include more MTM data, and specify prior authorization requirements.
Walgreens expands into work site clinics with acquisitions
Walgreens is launching health and wellness division to expand into worksite health clinics and has acquired two companies, I-trax and Whole Health Management of Cleveland.
CMS issues new rule on multiple-source drugs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a new definition of multi-source drugs
NovoNordisk NovoLog approved for use in insulin pumps by children and adolescents
Results of a 16-week trial of insulin aspart
Prevention is key in treating C. difficile infections
An effective control program includes active monitoring of antibiotic use, prescribing shorter durations, avoiding broad-spectrum drug use, using automatic stop orders, and employing antibiotic pharmacists.
Studied extensively, new drug-eluting stent said to be very safe
Endeavor provides a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart byass surgery for patients undergoing angioplasty.
Pharmacy outsourcing still much in use by hospitals
Hospital outsource for a variety of reasons.
Medication reconciliation in specialty patients poses more challenge
Communication problems, formulary structures, and compliance are some or the issues pharmacists face in medication reconciliation.
Patient Safety Organizations are mandated to look for trends and feed patient safety data back to the healthcare community
The federal government is creating independnet reporting agencies to collect data about medical errors. AHRQ is seekng public comment on proposed rules.
Pay for performance is coming to pharmacy
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will start reporting pharmacy performace as early as this fall and drug plans my start publishing reports in the near futugs.