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Community pharmacy, also known as retail pharmacy, is the most common type of pharmacy that allows the public access to their medications and advice about their health. Traditionally known as a chemist, it is the healthcare facility that is responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical service to a specific community group or region.

CVS Caremark supports FDA pathway for approval of biogeneric options

CVS Caremark reiterated the company's support that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implement regulations necessary to approve biogeneric drugs under the Affordable Care Act. The company's Senior Vice President of Specialty Pharmacy Operations, Scott Reid, testified before the FDA today during a public hearing to address the development of an approval pathway for biosimilar and interchangeable biological products held at the agency's headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

3 Nov 2010

Medco third quarter net revenue increases 10.3% to $16.3 billion

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. today reported record third-quarter 2010 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.85, up 23.2 percent compared to $0.69 for the third quarter of 2009. Adjusting for the amortization of intangible assets that existed when Medco became a publicly traded company in 2003, third-quarter 2010 diluted earnings per share increased 21.3 percent to a record $0.91, from $0.75 in the third quarter of 2009.

2 Nov 2010

BioScrip third quarter net income decreases from $5.7 million to $2.0 million

BioScrip, Inc. today announced 2010 third quarter revenue of $441.2 million and net income of $2.0 million or $0.04 earnings per diluted share (EPS). Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $18.1 million.

2 Nov 2010

Effective treatment for brain cancer in daffodils

When looking for new ways to treat aggressive brain cancers, an international team of scientists turned a new leaf and "discovered" the lowly daffodil. A new research study published in the November 2010 print issue of The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) offers hope that a natural compound found in daffodil bulbs, called narciclasine, may be a powerful therapeutic against biologically aggressive forms of human brain cancers.

2 Nov 2010

Provident launches Principals Fund I with $25 million of committed capital

Provident Healthcare Ventures, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Principals Fund I with $25 million of committed capital. All capital invested in the Fund will be provided by the principals of Provident, affirming their belief that providing early-stage healthcare services companies with crucial resources, such as capital and operating expertise, will significantly increase enterprise value over the life of the investment.

2 Nov 2010

Minn. will accept federal assistance, Tenn. tackles burgeoning drug abuse problem

Politico: "Minnesota will accept federal assistance under the Democrats' health reform law after all, despite Gov. Tim Pawlenty's executive order barring voluntary participation in federal health care programs. The state's Management and Budget Office was one of 700 new organizations that signed up for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, a $5 billion program that helps pay for the insurance costs of retirees between the ages of 55 and 64.

2 Nov 2010

Boehringer Ingelheim announces availability of PRADAXA in U.S. pharmacies

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its new oral anticoagulant, Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) 150mg capsules, will be available starting Wednesday by prescription in pharmacies across the United States, including CVS/pharmacy, Rite Aid, Walmart, Target, Kmart® and The Kroger Co. In addition, leading independents under the Health Mart®, Good Neighbor Pharmacy® and Medicine Shoppe® banners will be stocked.

2 Nov 2010

Long-term cell phone usage doubles risk of developing brain tumors

The highest-quality research data available suggests that long-term exposure to microwaves from cellular phones may lead to an increased risk of brain tumors, reports a paper in the November/December issue of Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

2 Nov 2010

PharmaTrust signs agreement with Sagamok community to provide MedCentre

PharmaTrust has signed the first agreement of its kind to provide a MedCentre to a First Nation community in northern Ontario. In a signing ceremony on October 29th the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation community finalized an agreement with PharmaTrust for the deployment of a MedCentre, which will give the community the option of convenient 24/7 access to pharmacy services.

2 Nov 2010

Thomson Reuters launches Pharmacy Xpert dashboard to manage medication therapy

Thomson Reuters, a global provider of information for healthcare professionals, today announced the launch of Thomson Reuters Pharmacy Xpert the first-of-its-kind clinical intelligence dashboard that helps hospital pharmacists better manage medication therapy to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and manage risk.

2 Nov 2010

Acorda reports net income of $12.4 million for third quarter 2010

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2010.

1 Nov 2010

Humana third quarter diluted EPS increases to $2.32

Humana Inc. today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 (3Q10) of $2.32, ahead of management's guidance of $1.65 to $1.75. The company earned $1.78 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 (3Q09).

1 Nov 2010

Rite Aid to host flu shot clinics at nationwide pharmacies

With the holidays getting closer, Rite Aid is reminding people to get a flu shot so that the only thing they are spreading this season is good cheer. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can take up to two weeks for flu shots to be effective and protect against the flu; those who get their flu shot now can help protect themselves by the time they sit down for Thanksgiving dinner.

30 Oct 2010

Target joins American Cancer Society in 2010 Great American Smokeout

In connection with the American Cancer Society's 2010 Great American Smokeout®, Target is launching a month-long Celebrate Smoke-free campaign designed to support guests and team members in their efforts to quit smoking.

30 Oct 2010

Valeant subsidiary to acquire leading skin care brands in Australia

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. announced today that its subsidiary, Biovail Laboratories International SRL (BLS), has agreed to acquire several privately–owned pharmacy skin care brands in Australia. The leading brands, including well-established local brands such as Hamilton's Suncare and Hamilton's Skin Therapy, are ranked #2 in suncare in the Australian pharmacy market.

29 Oct 2010

Outcome-based contract between CIGNA and Merck helps diabetics control blood sugar levels

The first national outcome-based contract between a pharmaceutical company and a pharmacy benefit management company resulted in an increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes who were able to control their blood sugar levels by taking their medications appropriately.

29 Oct 2010

Sanofi-aventis to acquire BMP Sunstone

Sanofi-aventis and BMP Sunstone Corporation announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which sanofi-aventis is to acquire all outstanding shares of BMP Sunstone for cash consideration of USD 10 per share, or a total of approximately USD 520.6 million on a fully diluted basis.

29 Oct 2010