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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.

CBO finds generic drugs save Medicare $33 billion in 2007

A new government report finds that the use of generic medications saved the Medicare program and its beneficiaries about $33 billion in 2007, The Associated Press/BusinessWeek report. The Congressional Budget Office report "says an additional $14 billion is expected as first-time generics enter the market through 2012. Medicare Part D is Medicare's prescription drug program" (9/15).

18 Sep 2010

Researchers to develop vaginal microbicide gels to reduce HIV risk

With the support of an $11.8 million, five-year federal grant, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and their collaborators are developing a quick-dissolving vaginal film containing a powerful drug that reduces the risk of HIV infection, and they plan to begin testing it locally within a year.

17 Sep 2010

NIH to implement ScriptPro pharmacy automation systems

ScriptPro has been awarded a contract to provide pharmacy automation systems to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD.

17 Sep 2010

FEMR and State of Illinois proclaim first-ever Fall Prevention Awareness Day

The Foundation for Education and Musculoskeletal Research (FEMR) and the state of Illinois officially proclaimed the first day of autumn, September 22, 2010, as Fall Prevention Awareness Day. FEMR will be raising awareness for fall prevention and the need for osteoporosis screening and treatment in an effort to reduce the incidence of fragility bone fractures among older residents of Illinois.

17 Sep 2010

Generics drugs in Medicare program saved $33 billion in 2007: CBO

New research released today by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that the use of generic medications rather than brand-name medications in Medicare Part D saved beneficiaries and the program about $33 billion in 2007, while an additional $14 billion in savings is expected as first-time generics enter the market through 2012.

16 Sep 2010

FDA-cleared LaserTouchOne device for chronic and acute pain treatment available without prescription

The American Pain Foundation reports that despite the fact that the majority of the U.S. population looks healthy, statistics tell a different story: Approximately 1 in 3 Americans suffer from chronic pain. This chronic pain could be related to an illness like cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, or a condition such as arthritis, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia or back pain from a car accident.

15 Sep 2010

Omnicell's medication management systems selected by Sentara Healthcare

Omnicell, Inc., a leading provider of system solutions to acute healthcare facilities, today announced that Sentara Healthcare has selected Omnicell OmniRx® automated medication dispensing systems and Omnicell's SecureVault™ to monitor and streamline medication management throughout its facilities. Sentara serves a patient population of more than two million, and chose to replace its current vendor with Omnicell for its solution reliability and customer service.

From Omnicell, Inc. 15 Sep 2010

AMCP supports legislation to prohibit financial agreements for delaying marketing of lower-cost generic drugs

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) supports the inclusion of legislative language similar to S. 369 — the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act — in appropriations legislation now under consideration by the Senate. S. 369 would prohibit financial agreements between brand-name and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to delay the marketing of lower-cost generic drugs.

14 Sep 2010

Sorghum bran contains high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties: Study

A new University of Georgia study has found that select varieties of sorghum bran have greater antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than well-known foods such as blueberries and pomegranates.

14 Sep 2010

Study finds antibiotic safe for treatment of stroke and good companion therapy for tPA

An antibiotic appears to be a safe treatment for stroke and a good companion therapy for tPA, the clot buster that is currently the only FDA-approved drug therapy, researchers report.

13 Sep 2010

Kadlec integrates Medi-Span clinical decision support system with Epic EMR

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Kadlec Regional Medical Center will deploy Medi-Span® to provide clinicians with point-of-care access to comprehensive drug information and medication decision support via the facility's EMR system.

13 Sep 2010

Keais Records Service launches new online portal

Keais Records Service, established in 1975 as the first litigation support company specializing in records retrieval services, is celebrating its milestone thirty-fifth anniversary by launching a new web site and further enhancing its electronic capabilities to serve the litigation discovery needs of major law firms, insurance companies, corporations and TPAs.

13 Sep 2010

New guidance on making complex decisions about injured athlete's return to play

When is it appropriate for an injured athlete to return to competition? A new three-step framework provides team physicians and other sport medicine clinicians with guidance on making complex decisions about return to play, reported in the September Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.

13 Sep 2010

Genetic misfolding of neuroligins protein may lead to autism spectrum disorders: Research

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has identified misfolding and other molecular anomalies in a key brain protein associated with autism spectrum disorders.

13 Sep 2010

Researchers develop KU-32 drug to prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy

A drug developed at the University of Kansas has the potential to stop a debilitating condition of diabetes that often leads to pain in the extremities and even amputations, KU researchers have found.

13 Sep 2010

High estrogen levels in female athletes associated with higher risk of injury

In female athletes with chronically higher estrogen levels, differences in the mechanical properties of tendons may lead to a higher risk of injury, according to a study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, official research journal of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. 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.

10 Sep 2010

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy ranked #554 on Inc.'s Top 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy announced today they have earned a position of 554 on Inc. Magazine's exclusive, annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

10 Sep 2010

Calif. regulators seek $9.9 billion fine from insurer; Few Iowans sign up for high risk pool; N.D. Court rejects ballot measure on drug store ownership

California regulators are seeking fines of up to $9.9 billion from a unit of health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc, citing mismanaged medical claims, failure to pay doctors and other lapses.

10 Sep 2010

APhA to highlight increasing role of pharmacists in improving health, well-being

In honor of Cholesterol Education Month, The American Pharmacists Association would like to highlight the increasing role of the pharmacist in communities nationwide. In many areas, pharmacists are able to offer cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, as well as other detection and prevention services to help a patient manage their healthcare and get the most out the medications they may be taking.

9 Sep 2010

CVS Caremark offers $5 million in free flu shots for uninsured patients

CVS Caremark announced today that it will partner with Direct Relief USA to offer up to $5 million in free flu shots to community clinic and health center patients who lack health insurance.

9 Sep 2010