
Overview of FMI Pharmacy meeting in Chicago, 2004

John Fagan, vp Ahold, talks about the new Medicare Rx bill and Rx discount cards.

Pharmacy reacts to FDA proposal requiring MedWatch number to be listed on Rx and OTC drugs

Manufacturers and regulators will have a tough time battling drug counterfeiters

New trend: Pharmaceutical companies offer freebies and money back guarantees on drugs

David Brushwood gives a tongue-in-cheek account of how to create the worst-possible pharmacy

Reporting medication errors has not translated into safer systems of patient care, according to Bruce Lambert, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago department of pharmacy practice.

Seniors can compare drug price increases with the inflation rate on AARP's new Web site

Similarities in labeling/packaging can lead to dispensing errors

Lehigh Valley Hospital explores risk sharing contracts with pharma manufacturers

While urinary tract infections in women are the second most frequent reason antibiotics are prescribed for women, many ignore symptoms or don't take steps necessary to prevent infection.

Breaking News for May 17, 2004

Certain pancreatic drugs could be withdrawn from market unless their manufacturers go through NDA process

Abstract of speech given by Mary Sammons at NACDS Annual Meeting 2004

Manufacturers keep churning out low carb entries that can be profitable for pharmacies

AMCP meeting sees debate between two laywers on whether contracts are public or private information

Arxcel Rx benefit research survey 2004

As part of the Medicare discount card and Medicare drug benefit law, a new Web site is being established that compares drug prices

PCMA launches new ad campaign about discount cards for Medicare beneficiaries

Ketek is a new antibiotic for treatment of infections in the lung and sinus.

Community pharmacy groups sponsoring Medicare-approved Rx discount cards are seeking clarification of the HHS office of inspector general's warning that fees to pharmacists may be kickbacks.

Pharmacy-based bone mineral density screening found that 78% of patients were unware of their risk of fractures and 70% of the moderate or high risk patients referred to a physician actually visited the doctor and 24% of those patients were started on therapy, according to the Project ImPACT: Osteoporosis study.

2004 Index of Articles

Stockchecker from Hamacher on low carb items

The proliferation of two-in-one drugs calls for increased caution on the part of health professionals

Buying reimported drugs carries risks

CHPA session featuring Bodine from CVS and Fuller from NACDS talking about challenges in pharmacy

To control rising drug costs, companies are resorting to innovations in benefit design

Breaking News for May 3, 2004 issue