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The four leading infusion pump manufacturers all report brisk sales of smart pumps, but many users are evading the software dosing safeguards that make pumps smart.

Consumers are visiting drugstores more often and spending more when they are there.

Ready or not, electonic pedigree is coming. But bumps in the road area already rocking the pharmaceutical world. The biggest bump: vague definitions and conflicting exptectations.

U.S. marshals investigating cheating on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) have seized materials and computers from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and the offices and home of professor Flynn Warren Jr., M.S.

The pharmacy world is astir over Publix Super Markets' offer of free 14-day supplies of seven common antibiotics at its 684 pharmacies.

Several new bills that may impact R.Ph.s have been introduced lately, though it is not clear whether any of them will actually be signed into law.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has released an update to its kidney cancer guidelines.

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) have issued an update to their Unstable Angina/ Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (UA/NSTEMI) guidelines, last published in 2002.

Three doctors and two pharmacists are among 18 people indicted on federal fraud and racketeering charges for allegedly operating an on-line pharmacy that sold more than $126 million worth of Rx drugs.

Looking to build on the knowledge and experience of R.Ph.s across the country, NCPA, APhA, the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and Mirixa Corp. have launched www.rxwiki.com.

Maraviroc (Selzentry, Pfizer), the first CCR5 inhibitor, was recently approved following priority review by the FDA.

CMS announced that it would release NPI number data beginning Sept. 4, at which point all data that are disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act will be made available to the public.

Seven out of 10 customers of leading retail chain pharmacies are interested in having a kiosk to pick up and pay for their prescriptions, including when the pharmacy is closed.

The Food & Drug Administration offers many job opportunities for pharmacists, from working for the Office of Generic Drugs to reviewing new drug applications

Products encompassing newly approved Rx drugs and generics, plus health and beauty care, home health care, and other items.

The growth of Internet pharmacies poses a threat to consumers and retail pharmacists.

While drug-resistant infections have been multiplying, there has been a mere trickle of new antibiotics coming down the pipeline. The tide may be changing; there are 30 or more antibiotics in development.

A recent resolution by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to require postgraduate one-year residencies for all pharmacists involved in direct patient care, has long-term consequences-and brings long-term controversy.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has come out with new, less stringent rules on the coverage of two popular anemia drugs. The new rules apply mostly to cancer patients who receive chemotherapy that causes anemia and people with the bone marrow disorder myelodysplasia.

Chains should not have been the only ones contacted about the issue of drug errors. Pharmacists should also have been consulted about ways to error proof pharmacies.

On June 15th, the FDA issued both a drug approval and rejection for two treatments being evaluated to treat the condition in one day.

CMS has proposed a rule that would require durable medical equipment suppliers to obtain a surety bond.

Organized by HBC category, the never-out list is Hamacher Resource Group's proprietary list of products that pharmacy shelves should never be without. The following is a partial list of never-outs from the weight-control category.

Sentri7 can be individualized by the user to collect certain data about certain patients, which is very helpful in antibiotic stewardship programs. Sentri7 automates data collection, analysis, action steps, and outcome documentation.

The Joint Commission has outlined 11 implementation steps for meeting its national patient safety goal of reduced risk for anticoagulation therapy.

A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin found that 4% of chronic pain patients taking opioid drugs such as OxyContin (oxycodone HCI, Purdue Pharma) or Percocet (oxycodone HCI/acetaminophen, Endo Labs) abuse the medications.

Medicare Survival Kit Links

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that Allen Chao, its chairman, president, and CEO, will retire as president and CEO effective Sept. 4.

The incentive-based program contains two ways for Shopko customers to save more.

Drug Fair has introduced the WE CARE Shopper Reward Program in all Drug Fair and Cost Cutters stores.