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Chain drugstores must get more involved in state and national political debates over Medicaid and a Medicare Rx benefit, urged NACDS president Mark Griffin at the group's Pharmacy & Technology Conference.

Illinois, South Carolina, Maryland, and other states react to Medicaid waiver program.

The recent approval of oxaliplatin (Eloxatin, Sanofi-Synthelabo) by the FDA provides a treatment option for patients who previously did not have any alternatives except symptom-directed care. The Agency approved oxaliplatin, for use in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV), for the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum whose disease has recurred or progressed during or within 6 months of completion of first-line therapy with the combination of bolus 5-FU/LV and irinotecan (Camptosar, Pharmacia & Upjohn).

Medicaid reimbursement cuts in Massachusetts and Washington have pharmacies threatening to drop out of the Rx program.

Highlights of FDA hearing on bar coding

Angry as hell over PBMs, community R.Ph.s are taking off the gloves in their battle with them.

PSOS is a new organization formed to enhance patient safety

The FDA recently approved tegaserod (Zelnorm, Novartis), the first drug for the short-term treatment of women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) whose primary bowel symptom is constipation. It is also the first agent in a new class of drugs. Tegaserod is a 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist.

Despite taking on more responsibilities, technicians feel they don't have much room for advancement

Chains ahve a tricky job juggling their pharmacies and PBMs.

On June 27, Andrx Corporation announced that the FDA had granted final marketing approval for its extended-release lovastatin (Altocor) to slow the progression of atherosclerosis in those with coronary heart disease as part of a therapeutic strategy to lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (total-C). Extended-release lovastatin is also indicated as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of total-C, LDL-C, Apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides, and to increase HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

A U.S. Senator wants random testing of compounded drugs but state pharmacy boards think such oversight is not workable.

HCPCS codes and DRGs must be set up before many new drugs are reimbursed

On June 6, the American Medical Association held a media briefing on anemia, funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Amgen, Inc. Topics included anemia and heart failure and new strategies for treating anemia associated with cancer treatment.

While most pharmacies gave test patients printed information about their drugs, the quality of the leaflets was uneven, according to a University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy study.

ASHP drug error presentations' highlights

On June 7, the FDA announced that it had approved a supplemental New Drug Application for alosetron. The drug is approved for the treatment of women with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, who have failed to respond to conventional IBS therapy. Alosetron will become available again, possibly within the next 6 months, through a restricted marketing program.

Challenges of complying with HIPAA

FDA holds hearing to solicit ideas on risk management for drugs

Hospitals must use indicators in clinical/services and human resources to assess their staffing effectiveness under JCAHO standards

AstraZeneca comes under fire by Grey Panthers

Pfizer recently announced that it has received marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for voriconazole (Vfend tablets) and voriconazole for injection (Vfend I.V.) for use in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and the treatment of serious fungal infections caused by Scedosporium apiospermum and Fusarium spp in patients intolerant of, or refractory to, other therapy.

Avonex covered under Medicare's self-injectable policy

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved urofollitropin for injection, purified (Bravelle, Ferring Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of infertility. Urofollitropin is a highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone derived from the urine of postmenopausal women

Pharmacists are facing a myriad of prescription discount cards in a high-stakes game

nacds launches pharmacy care index to aid patient compliance

nacds promotes pharmacy to his students

Medicare bill considers paying for oral cancer drugs