AmerisourceBergen becomes NCPDP Elite Partner
AmerisourceBergen Corp. has joined the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs’ Elite Partner Program.
Pharmacy
NCPA: Senate bill would widen Rx access for seniors
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has endorsed The Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2015 (S. 1190), a Senate bill that would expand the number of pharmacies that could offer discounted co-payments for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
Pharmaceutical companies form Biosimilars Forum
A coalition of 11 biopharmaceutical companies has formed the Biosimilars Forum, described as the first nonprofit organization for expanding patient access to biosimilars in the United States.
Pernix releases Zohydro ER hydrocodone capsules with BeadTek
Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc. has rolled out a new formulation of Zohydro Extended-Release Capsules (hydrocodone bitartrate, CII) with BeadTek technology, to U.S. pharmacies. Pernix said Monday that Zohydro ER with BeadTek is available in strengths 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg and 50 mg.
Kmart to implement EQuIPP at pharmacies
Kmart Pharmacy aims to improve tracking of quality performance metrics and enhance patient-centered care and clinical outcomes with the deployment of the EQuIPP information management platform from Pharmacy Quality Solutions (PQS).
ACOs spearhead shift to value-based care
Recently, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced a lofty goal of tying 50% of all traditional Medicare payments to alternative payment models, such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) or bundled payment arrangements, by the year 2018.
NCPA backs change to TRICARE preferred pharmacy program
The National Community Pharmacists Association has endorsed an amendment from Reps. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) and Rick Larsen (D., Wash.) that aims to improve pharmacy access in a preferred pharmacy pilot program by TRICARE, the U.S. military’s health benefits plan.
Teva among first cleared to launch Abilify generic
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic versions of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Abilify (aripiprazole), an antipsychotic drug.
Survey: Retail clinic patients may visit doctor’s office less
The convenience of in-store clinics may lead consumers to go to a doctor’s office less when they need primary health care, according to Kalorama Information’s “Retail Clinics 2015” report. The health care market researcher said Tuesday that of 2,000 adults surveyed, 53.
Rite Aid readies Tdap vaccine in Washington state
Rite Aid Corp. reported that its pharmacies in Washington state have a ready supply of the pertussis vaccine to meet demand amid a spike in the number of whooping cough cases.
NACDS Foundation announces Pharmacy Partners grants
PALM BEACH, Fla. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has awarded $210,000 in scholarships and grants to colleges and schools of pharmacy through its 2015 Pharmacy Partners Program.
HHS to eye the pricing of generics
The federal government is looking into the effect of generic drug price increases on Medicaid. The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will compare generic price increases between 2005 and 2014 to the inflation rate.
Thrifty White takes patient experience to next level
Thrifty White Pharmacy’s focus is “It’s All About the Patient and Healthy Outcomes.” And that focus has been implanted into the mind-set of its pharmacists and other store personnel as well as those who work at the corporate level.
NCPA provides video training for med sync
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has launched “Implementing Med Sync,” a six-part video training series for community pharmacies that want to set up an appointment-based medication synchronization program in their stores.
Publix reaches pharmacy milestone
Publix Super Markets Inc. this month marked a milestone for its pharmacies by surpassing 50 million free prescriptions for customers in the past eight years.
Novo Nordisk releases Saxenda weight-control pen in U.S.
Novo Nordisk Inc. has launched Saxenda, a weight-control drug delivered via an injector pen, in the United States. The company said Wednesday that Saxenda (liraglutide injection) is the first, once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for chronic weight management in adults.