Walgreens, HHS offer vouchers for free flu shots
Again this year, Walgreens is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide more than $10 million of free flu shot vouchers for the upcoming flu season.
Pharmacy
NCPA backs bill cracking down on DIR fees
The National Community Pharmacists Association has endorsed new legislation designed to raise transparency and accuracy in Medicare Part D prescription drug spending and reporting. NCPA said the bill, the Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act (H.R.
Surescripts’ new service helps manage population health
Surescripts is expanding to support population health management with its Medication History for Panel Management service.
Former CVS/MinuteClinic exec joins health consultancy
Nancy Gagliano, a former senior vice president at CVS Health and chief medical officer of MinuteClinic, has been named chief medical officer at Culbert Healthcare Solutions, a management consulting firm serving health care organizations. Woburn, Mass.
Dr. Reddy’s releases Wellbutrin SR generic
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. has launched bupropion HCl extended-release tablets, an antidepressant medication. Dr.
Walmart makes health care a strategic pillar
Walmart’s health and wellness division is poised to play a prominent part in the discounter’s ambitious drive to reinvent retail for an era when brick-and-mortar stores coexist with e-commerce. Pharmacy, over-the-counter medications and vision care currently account for about 10% of Walmart’s U.S.
Affordable Care Act up against more headwinds
The pullback of health insurance companies from the Affordable Care Act has focused a harsh light on President Obama’s signature legislative achievement. Most recently, Aetna Inc.
Novo Nordisk announces CEO succession
Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk A/S, is retiring from the company and will be succeeded by Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. Plans call for Jørgensen, executive vice president and head of corporate development, to take the CEO reins on Jan.
FDA labeling changes target Rx misuse
Citing dangers from combined use, the Food and Drug Administration is requiring classwide changes to labeling for opioid analgesics, prescription opioid cough products and benzodiazepines, a group of central nervous system depressant drugs.
Impax highlights its generic epinephrine auto-injector
Impax Laboratories Inc. is spotlighting its generic epinephrine auto-injector amid a public outcry over the cost of emergency medication for anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Express Scripts program caps drug costs for diabetes
Express Scripts has unveiled a program designed to rein in drug spending for diabetes patients. The pharmacy benefit manager on Wednesday launched the Diabetes Care Value Program, which the company said improves pharmacy care and controls plan costs for people with diabetes.
Albertsons pharmacies serve up no-appointment flu shots
Albertsons Cos. has begun offering flu shots on a walk-in basis at its more than 1,700 supermarket pharmacy locations.
Greenstone adds Nitrostat authorized generic
Greenstone LLC has introduced nitroglycerin sublingual tablets, a medication for chest pain. The Pfizer subsidiary said Monday that its product is an authorized generic version of Nitrostat and comes in dosages of 0.3 mg (100 count), 0.4 mg (100 count) and 0.6 mg (100 count).
Survey: Consumers lax in using OTC pain relievers safely
Many consumers don’t heed safety factors when choosing and using over-the-counter pain relievers, a national survey supported by McNeil Consumer Healthcare finds. Of 1,292 U.S.
Rite Aid enables access to naloxone without Rx
Rite Aid Corp. has made the opioid overdose antidote naloxone available without a prescription at its pharmacies in 13 states. The drug chain said Monday that naloxone — administered by injection or nasal spray — previously was available only with a prescription from a doctor.
Health Mart leads drug chains in Rx customer satisfaction
Health Mart came in first among chain drug retailers in a pharmacy customer satisfaction survey by market research firm J.D. Power. Still, chain drug stores as a group trailed supermarket pharmacies and mail order pharmacies in terms of patient satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S.