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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 to present client experiences on innovative approaches at AMCP Conference

CVS Caremark is presenting data at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2010 Educational Conference illustrating how innovative approaches to traditional plan designs can help clients reduce drug spend, improve generic dispensing rates (GDR) and minimize member disruption.

15 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 15, 2010

Today's top stories from major news organizations report on the effort by 20 states to challenge the federal health law, a new federal panel to inform consumers about health care options and the struggle to pay for cancer care.

15 Oct 2010

CVS/pharmacy agrees to pay civil penalties for excessive sales of PSE

CVS/pharmacy today announced agreements with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for the Central District of California and the District of Nevada to settle allegations that in 2007 and 2008 certain CVS/pharmacy stores in California and Nevada engaged in unlawful sales of pseudoephedrine (PSE), an ingredient found in popular over-the-counter cold and cough medicines.

15 Oct 2010

DFG to establish new Research Units

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is establishing four new Research Units to facilitate cross-regional, interdisciplinary cooperation among researchers. This decision was taken by the DFG Senate at its autumn meeting in Bonn. The new groups are intended to enable researchers to devote themselves to current and urgent issues within their fields and to develop new approaches.

15 Oct 2010

PPC offers on-site medication dispensing programs for hospitals

The fastest-growing privately held healthcare company in the country is building its business by building in-office medication dispensing programs for physicians and hospitals in 10 states. Incorporated just five years ago, Physicians' Pharmaceutical Corporation (PPC) placed No. 1 among health companies and No. 15 overall on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.

14 Oct 2010

Global project to find biological activity in sea organisms suitable for pharmaceutical products

Researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki are co-ordinating an extensive project which aims to find biological activity from among organisms in the sea which would be suitable for use as a basis for pharmaceutical products. Interesting compounds isolated from organisms in the sea are chemically modified to be more suitable for medical purposes.

13 Oct 2010

LifeWise improves access to common immunizations at pharmacies

LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon is announcing a new step to remove barriers to care by providing improved access to common immunizations at pharmacies. LifeWise members can now simply present their member card at a pharmacy just as they do at their doctor's office to receive immunizations.

13 Oct 2010

BioRx receives limited distribution rights from Baxter for AATD drug GLASSIA

BioRx, a specialty pharmacy company, has received limited distribution rights from Baxter International Inc. for a new drug, GLASSIA™ [Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)], the first and only liquid, ready-to-use treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in the United States. AATD is a genetic disorder that causes low levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin, resulting in emphysema. AATD is also referred to as "genetic" or "congenital" emphysema.

From Baxter International Inc. 13 Oct 2010

Centice introduces new PINPOINT Rx system for drug identification

Centice Corporation, a pioneer in chemical verification and identification using Raman spectroscopy and computational sensor technology, announced today the availability of the new PINPOINT Rx™ system. Combining advanced spectroscopy hardware technology, analytical software and internal databases, PINPOINT Rx™ captures the spectral signature of a prescription drug and checks this signature against a known database.

13 Oct 2010

More insured Americans avoid prescription drugs due to cost

The Wall Street Journal: "Growing numbers of Americans with health insurance are walking away from their prescriptions at the pharmacy counter, the latest indication that efforts to contain costs may be curbing health-care consumption. A review of insurance-claims data shows that so-called abandonment — when a patient refuses to purchase or pick up a prescription that was filled and packaged by a pharmacist — was up 55% in the second quarter of this year, compared with four years earlier.

13 Oct 2010

Buck survey finds health care costs projected to increase in 2011

As a number of health care reform provisions go into effect for employer plans in 2011, costs for the most popular types of plans are projected to increase by more than 10 percent.

12 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 12, 2010

Today's early morning highlights from major news organizations look at a probe of a California hospital chain, the effect that the governors' races around the country will have on the federal health law and a review of prescription purchases that shows more Americans are foregoing their medicines.

12 Oct 2010

Integrated Research Network to analyze payor health policy for chronic pain medications

HealthCore's Integrated Research Network is enrolling family physicians, general practitioners, internists, neurologists, rheumatologists, endocrinologists, and pain management specialists in a first-of-its-kind study to analyze payor health policy for chronic pain medications.

12 Oct 2010

Family-centered care approach may improve children's care

As physicians and scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital work to find new insights into pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases, a central tenant of any treatment plan is to keep families at the center of children's care.

12 Oct 2010

Health premiums climb

Buffalo (N.Y.) News: "Two of the region's three dominant health insurers intend to raise premiums on average by double digits for next year, and the third wants a double-digit increase for plans not structured as health maintenance organizations. The premium for one insurance plan could rise almost 36 percent. The insurers cite rising costs of medical care and federal health care reforms." The increases must be approved by the state (Epstein, 10/10).

12 Oct 2010

Generex to acquire majority interest in Global Medical Direct

Generex Biotechnology Corporation today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest (51%) in Global Medical Direct, LLC of Lenexa, Kansas, a nationwide Durable Medical Equipment and Pharmaceutical provider specializing in direct-to-consumer diabetes supplies and medications.

11 Oct 2010

Health Robotics enters distribution agreements with Newico and Apta Medica for 7 new European countries

Health Robotics today announced that it recently signed exclusive distribution agreements for its CytoCare, i.v.STATION, and i.v.SOFT world-leading technologies in seven new European countries with regional industry leaders Newico and Apta Medica, rapidly continuing on its worldwide quest to pervasively provide safe and cost-effective Intravenous (IV) Admixture Compounding Automation to hospitals all over the world.

11 Oct 2010

Prescription Solutions' MS DTM program wins URAC Best Practices Platinum Award

Prescription Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefits management (PBM) organization and a UnitedHealth Group company, received a platinum award in the URAC Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards. Prescription Solutions was recognized for its Multiple Sclerosis Disease Therapy Management (MS DTM) program, which empowers patients through education and support to successfully attain skills in self-managing their symptoms and medication therapy for their chronic condition.

11 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 11, 2010

Today's early morning highlights include articles on new options for open season, concerns among retirees about the provisions of the federal health law and the latest campaign arguments over that new overhaul.

11 Oct 2010

Weight loss pill off shelves due to heart attack risk

Final verdict on a popular weight loss drug Reductil is to be delivered today. It is being debated whether the pill should be taken off the shelves in Australia and New Zealand. The drug Sibutramine sold as Reductil is linked to increased risk of heart attacks.

10 Oct 2010