Reports this week show that doses of the H1N1 are in high supply as pharmacy chains across the country have received increased stock. Although recent reports are that the flu strain is decreasing, officials are still urging everyone to get the vaccine and suggesting that pharmacists continue to discuss it with patients to avoid future […]
Two Senate Democrats introduced an amendment Thursday that would ban the practice of pharmaceutical data mining. Pharmaceutical companies currently purchase pharmacy sales records from third party companies in order to identify doctors who prescribe their drugs and competitor alternatives. The amendment to the Senate health care bill would ban the sale of pharmacy records for […]
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) will bring an amendment to vote this week to allow importing of prescription drugs from Canada to lower the cost of healthcare reform. The amendment would override an agreement between the White House and pharmaceutical companies in which the industry agreed to payback billions of dollars in rebates to the government […]
A large scale investigation of Medicare fraud by pharmaceutical companies has led to a settlement with Omnicare and ongoing investigations of Johnson & Johnson and other major drug makers. The focus of the investigation is on alleged kickbacks to companies that dispense drugs in exchange for preferential treatment in the writing and filling prescriptions. The […]
The pharmaceutical industry has reacted with a degree of opposition to the House passage of the health bill over the weekend. The bill includes the provision for billions of dollars that drug companies will have to provide the government over a ten year period to help finance the reforms. Companies have spent a significant amount […]
This week the FDA launched a program aimed at reducing the number of injuries caused by preventable medication errors. The FDA is currently working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to come up with accurate estimates of the number of deaths due to medication misuse. A large area of concern is the possible […]
St. Louis based Schnucks market has recently added thirty eye site kiosks to their pharmacy department in the hopes to increase customer service and drive traffic into the pharmacies. The kiosks are designed to help determine near and distance vision using eye charts and to also provide additional information for optometrists in the area. Schnucks […]
Union, Mo. Has just become the second town in the United States that will require a prescription for commonly used cold medications. Following in the footsteps of Washington, Mo., Union is attempting to curb the sales of cold medication to combat the town’s major problem with methamphetamine production and use. Towns across the United States […]
