Study: Canadians not taking their meds
Many Canadians fail to take their medications as prescribed and, in some instances, are not filling their prescriptions, according to a national survey from the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA).
Pharmacy
NCPA turns spotlight on underpayment for generics
The National Community Pharmacists Association said it has compiled evidence that underscores the need for federal sunshine legislation to provide more insight into below-cost reimbursements from pharmacy benefit managers that don’t keep pace with rising market costs for generic drugs.
Publix pharmacies serve up biometric health screenings
Publix Super Markets Inc. has begun offering biometric health screenings at its in-store pharmacies.
Rite Aid launches telehealth kiosks in Ohio
Rite Aid Corp. has officially opened HealthSpot telehealth stations in 25 of its drug stores in Ohio.
Galderma set to launch Epiduo Forte Gel
Galderma Laboratories has received Food and Drug Administration approval for antibiotic-free Epiduo Forte Gel (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide 0.3%/2.5%), a once-daily topical acne treatment. Galderma said Thursday Epiduo Forte Gel is the first combination of 0.3%/2.
National Rx program sought in Canada
launched in late June by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) — aims to build a national consensus for a pan-Canadian pharmacare framework. CPhA noted that all developed countries with universal health care, except Canada, provide universal coverage for
Cardinal Health to buy OutcomesMTM
Cardinal Health Inc. plans to acquire medication therapy management specialist OutcomesMTM. Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.
Competition escalates in retail clinic arena
The retail health clinic market is seeing competition intensify as the leading players expand their reach with new locations. Market leader MinuteClinic, part of CVS Health, got a big boost last month with CVS’ $1.9 billion deal to buy the pharmacy and clinic business of Target Corp.
Berkowitz exits Walgreens Boots Alliance
Jeff Berkowitz, executive vice president at Walgreens Boots Alliance and president of Pharma and Global Market Access, has left the company.
Study: Kirby Lester technology prevents potential Rx errors
Community pharmacies that used scan-verification and counting technology prevented an average of 2.7 potential prescription errors per week, according to a national study by Kirby Lester.
NCPA: Balanced approach needed to thwart Part D fraud
The National Community Pharmacists Association has called on Congress, Medicare and industry stakeholders to strike a balance in stamping out fraud in Medicare Part D while preserving patient access to critical medications.
Consumers: Don’t impede access to PSE medicines
A survey by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has revealed consumer concerns about access to over-the-counter cold/cough and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE).
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.
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.