Aurobindo cleared to market Tambocor generic
Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for flecainide acetate tablets, a medication for irregular heartbeat.
Pharmacy
SDM, Loblaw support medicine take-back campaign
Shoppers Drug Mart has teamed up with the Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada (PDFC) for a National Medicine Take-Back Campaign that will run from July to December.
NACDS hails House passage of 21st Century Cures
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6), which the National Association of Chain Drug Stores said will speed the pace of cures and medical breakthroughs and position pharmacy to play a pivotal role in the delivery of new drug treatments to patients.
Novartis set to release Entresto heart failure drug
Novartis has received Food and Drug Administration approval for Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) tablets, a medication for heart failure with reduced injection fraction. An angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), Entresto reduces the strain on a failing heart.
Small chains show they can compete
Walgreens, CVS/Pharmacy, Rite Aid and Walmart among them — receive a great deal of attention. Similarly, regional chains including Wegmans, H-E-B, Publix and Schnucks are examples of a force in their respective markets.
NCPA applauds lawmakers’ pursuit of MAC pricing transparency
Eleven congressmen have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for information on the enforcement of transparency measures for generic drug payments in Medicare Part D plans for 2016. The National Community Pharmacists Association said Thursday that this week U.S. Reps.
Cardinal Health serves up scholarship funds for pharmacy schools
Cardinal Health Inc. is providing more than $1 million in funding to 10 pharmacy schools across the country as part of its efforts to support future pharmacists.
Vertex’s Orkambi seen as breakthrough in treating cystic fibrosis
The approval of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) is being hailed as a big stride forward in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of the drug just before the holiday weekend.
Benzer Pharmacy adds specialty Rx executive
Michael LaBrecque has joined Benzer Pharmacy as vice president of specialty pharmacy. The drug chain said Monday that LaBrecque will be responsible for the overall project oversight, budget, staffing, planning and project management for specialty pharmacy.
Cardinal Health wraps up purchase of Harvard Drug
Cardinal Health Inc. has closed its $1.115 billion acquisition of pharmaceutical distributor Harvard Drug Group.
NCPA unveils agenda for annual convention
The National Community Pharmacists Association has announced the preliminary program for its 2015 Annual Convention, scheduled for Oct. 10 to 14 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., near Washington, D.C.
McKesson ideaShare 2015 kicks off
McKesson Corp.’s ideaShare 2015 is underway this week at the San Diego Convention Center.
Supreme Court upholds health insurance subsidies
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies for health insurance, giving the law its second big win in three years. The justices ruled 6-3 that the subsidies being received by 8.7 million people to make coverage affordable were not voided by the statute’s wording.
Pharmacy groups ask FDA to delay product tracing deadline
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) have asked the Food and Drug Administration to delay enforcement of a July 1 product tracing deadline for dispensers of pharmaceuticals.
NABP to maintain state access to its PMP program
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) will continue to fund access by state prescription monitoring programs to interstate data from its PMP InterConnect program. State PMPs will be able to participate in the program at no cost through June 2018.
CVS Health forms four new clinical affiliations
CVS Health has entered into clinical affiliations with Sutter Health in California, Millennium Physician Group in Florida, Bryan Health Connect in Nebraska and Mount Kisco Medical Group in New York.