Cardinal Health to buy OutcomesMTM
Cardinal Health Inc. plans to acquire medication therapy management specialist OutcomesMTM. Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.
Pharmacy
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.
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.