Should addicted patients be able to sue pharmacies?
West Virginia Supreme Court justices are debating a variation of that question involving doctors who negligently prescribed painkillers and some of the pharmacies that filled the scripts. Attorneys on...
View ArticlePharmacies should plan to become compliant with USP 800 for hazardous drug...
Patricia C. Kienle, RPh, director of accreditation and medication safety for Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Solutions, is urging pharmacies to begin planning to become compliant with requirements...
View ArticlePharmacy stakeholders support controlled substances document
A coalition of stakeholder organizations – including the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists...
View ArticleA properly designed compounding benefit can help control costs and quality
A properly designed compounding benefit that works with industry providers is more effective at controlling costs and quality than a negative approach that can limit patient care and potentially...
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Performance-based pharmacies improve Medicare beneficiary health
Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol may achieve better health outcomes when using pharmacies that are part of performance-based networks, according to early...
View ArticleTop states for e-prescribing controlled substances
Prescription drug abuse remains a huge problem. One way healthcare workers and law enforcement hope to reduce the problem is by using electronic prescriptions for controlled substances, which helps...
View ArticleShould pharma be responsible for disposal of unwanted drugs?
The leaders of at least one county in California believe so. The Santa Clara Board of Supervisors recently approved an ordinance that will require pharmaceutical companies to design, operate, and fund...
View ArticleCVS’s Omnicare acquisition signals specialty drug expansion
CVS Health’s acquisition of Omnicare for $12.7 billion is expected to significantly expand the drug chain’s business in specialty pharmacy, generics and long-term care.CVS Health’s acquisition of...
View ArticleThe new patient-centered pharmacy
Accountable care organizations and medical homes have set the pace for an emerging trend toward patient-centered pharmacies—a not-yet clearly defined model but one that could connect all the pieces of...
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Pharmacists as providers: The expanding, changing role
Although many states and the federal government are taking a close look at granting provider status for pharmacists, the two entities have slightly different priorities.ThompsonKasey Thompson, vice...
View ArticleNew cholesterol-lowering drugs draw attention
A potent new class of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors are the first specialty drugs to treat high cholesterol. PCSK9 inhibitors are expected to cost...
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Three ways to build a smarter Stars strategy
Recent changes to how Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings are calculated— particularly the removal of the pre-determined thresholds—have many plans feeling like they are in...
View ArticlePharmacists respond: Is CVS’ acquisition of Target pharmacies a good thing?
Earlier this month, CVS Health announced the completion of its $1.9 billion acquisition of Target’s pharmacy and clinic businesses. Target’s 1,672 pharmacies in 47 states will be rebranded as...
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State of the Industry Survey: Health plan respondent results
How does your health plan match up to other health plans of a similar size? Does it face the same challenges and opportunities? It is acquiring similar technology and is it implementing the same...
View ArticleBCBSM aims to include pharmacists in PCMH care teams
A new initiative from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan aims to create an environment where pharmacists from otherwise competing physician organizations and practice units have a non-competitive...
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Six ways to combat pharma price gouging
Back in September, Turing Pharmaceuticals set off a firestorm of criticism for pricing Daraprim, an older drug, at $750 per pill. After the backlash, Turing has slashed the cost of the 62-year-old...
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Pharmacist home visits reduce hospital readmissions
A pilot program that provides home visits from a pharmacist reduced the number of preventable hospital readmissions for frail elderly patients, according to a report from HealthPartners.Related: Five...
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Top 10 sessions to attend at the AMCP Annual Meeting 2016
This year’s Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting 2016, held April 19 to 22 in San Francisco, will feature a wide array of sessions. To...
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To sell or not to sell tobacco: Who should decide?
A New York county executive’s plan to ban pharmacy retailers from selling cigarettes and other tobacco products is garnering mixed reaction from pharmacists. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz...
View ArticleHow Pharmacies are Helping Patients with Diabetes
When pharmacists get involved in patient care, significant improvements are often seen. Diabetes management is one of the most notable examples. Both studies and real-world examples show that with...
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