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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.

Giant Eagle installs RxSafe 1800 pharmacy workflow automation system

RxSafe, LLC, the leader in automated high density robotic storage and retrieval systems for pharmacies, has recently installed an RxSafe 1800™ system at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area supermarket for Giant Eagle, Inc., a leading regional multi-format food retailer.

26 Aug 2010

PCMA reports increase in retail prices of popular brand-name drugs

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) issued the following statement on a new AARP report that examined retail prices of brand-name drugs and found that the 217 products most used by seniors increased by an average of 8.3 percent during 2009, while over the last five years retail prices for the most popular brand-name drugs increased 41.5 percent:

26 Aug 2010

Transparency needed in administration of drug benefits by pharmacy benefit managers

According to a new AARP report, the average retail price of the most popular brand-name drugs increased by 8.3 percent in 2009 and by 41.5 percent over the past five years – rates well in excess of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. At the same time, major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Inc. and Medco Health Solutions, Inc., hired by employers and other health plan sponsors to negotiate lower prices from drug manufacturers, experienced record profits, in some cases increasing five-fold over the past decade.

26 Aug 2010

Henry Ford Health System introduces 'Pill Timer' for medication management

A leader in healthcare, Henry Ford Health System will introduce at its hospitals and pharmacies "The Pill Timer," representing a "breakthrough" designed to improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse drug events often resulting in costly hospital admissions due to poor medication management by patients.

26 Aug 2010

Baxa ranked 3,494 on Inc. 5000 list of US fastest-growing private businesses

Baxa Corporation today announced its rank of 3,494 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private businesses in the United States. This year marks the fourth consecutive year that Baxa, a leading provider of medical devices and systems that automate pharmacy operations, has been listed on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list.

26 Aug 2010

PTCB CPhTs to play critical role in immunization efforts at retail pharmacies nationwide

With flu season fast approaching, PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians will again play a critical role in immunization efforts at retail pharmacies across the country. For example, last year Walgreens successfully immunized over 7.4 million patients against H1N1 and seasonal influenza with the direct support of PTCB CPhTs.

25 Aug 2010

Centice Corporation launches partner program for PASS Rx system availability

Centice Corporation, a pioneer in chemical verification of dispensed drug prescriptions and the manufacturer of the PASS Rx system, today launched a partner program to make available the PASS Rx® system to companies wanting to include unique prescription verification technology into workflow projects.

25 Aug 2010

Medco to expand comp effectiveness reach

Modern Healthcare: "Pharmacy-benefit manager Medco Health Solutions' recent announcement of plans to acquire United BioSource Corp. for $730 million has many wondering if this will be the first of many companies seeking to extend their reach in the growing comparative effectiveness market.

25 Aug 2010

Survey finds women interested in human papillomavirus vaccination

Cost but not convenience plays a significant role in attitudes about vaccination for common human papillomaviruses for women over the age of 26, according to the authors of a recent article in the journal Sexual Health.

25 Aug 2010

PharMerica Corporation announces repurchase of $25 million common stock

PharMerica Corporation, a national provider of institutional pharmacy and hospital pharmacy management services, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $25 million of the Company's common stock.

25 Aug 2010

Assured Pharmacy reports 20.8% increase in same store sales

OTC Stock Review announces that it has initiated coverage of Assured Pharmacy, Inc. Assured Pharmacy, a growing chain of specialty pharmacies specializing in servicing patients who live with chronic pain, just reported a 20.8 percent increase in same store sales for June 2010 versus June 2009.

24 Aug 2010

Heart to Heart International sends shipment of aid through IMC to help flood victims in Pakistan

An estimated 20 million people in northwest Pakistan have been displaced by the worst flooding in decades. In response, Heart to Heart International has already sent an initial shipment of aid valued at $150,000 (U.S. wholesale) through its humanitarian partner, International Medical Corps (IMC), and more aid is on the way.

24 Aug 2010

Consumers economizing on healthcare in ways that might be dangerous: Poll

More than two-thirds (69%) of Americans currently taking a prescription drug say drug makers have too much influence on doctors' prescribing decisions and half say that doctors are too eager to prescribe a drug when other non-drug options are available for managing a condition. Those are just some of the concerns raised by Americans in a new prescription drug poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. More information about the poll is available online at www.consumerreportsenespanol.org.

24 Aug 2010

Humana and Availity deploy CarePrescribe to Kentucky Physicians at no charge

Humana Inc. and Availity, LLC today announced the deployment of CarePrescribe, an electronic prescribing service, at no charge to eligible physician practices in Kentucky. Following the successful introduction of Availity CarePrescribe in Florida and Texas - where approximately 2,000 physicians are using the system - Kentucky physicians now have access to the free service as a valuable tool in improving efficiency, safety and quality, while reducing patient costs.

24 Aug 2010

Gold Standard/Elsevier launches consumer medication information in 12 foreign languages

Gold Standard/Elsevier, a leading developer of drug information and medication management solutions, announced today the launch of MEDcounselor Languages, a module that provides trusted MEDcounselor consumer medication information in 12 foreign languages. The new MEDcounselor Languages will enable healthcare providers to help non-English speaking patients better understand their drug therapy, take their medications safely, and avoid potentially harmful errors.

24 Aug 2010

McKesson announces winners of 2010 Distinguished Achievement Awards program

Today McKesson announced Eisenhower Medical Center (Rancho Mirage, Calif.) and HealthEast Care System (St. Paul, Minn.) as the winners of the 2010 Distinguished Achievement Award competition. The annual awards program recognizes organizations' outstanding use of McKesson's healthcare information technology (IT) solutions to enhance care delivery and improve operational efficiency.

24 Aug 2010

HHS to offer $32 million to increase health care access for rural Americans

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today more than $32 million in FY 2010 funds to increase access to health care for Americans living in rural areas. The funds reach across seven programs administered by the Office of Rural Health Policy in HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration.

24 Aug 2010

Publix Super Markets to introduce flu immunization program

"Flu clinics are an extension of the services our pharmacies provide to our customers as a convenient and affordable way to receive their vaccinations," said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations. "At Publix, our pharmacies are dedicated to building relationships with our customers and their families for total health and wellness all year long."

23 Aug 2010

RelayHealth achieves full accreditation with ePAP from EHNAC

RelayHealth, a leading provider of healthcare connectivity services, announced today that it has achieved full accreditation with the e-Prescribing Accreditation Program from the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission. EHNAC's ePAP accreditation demonstrates the operational integrity of companies that use e-prescribing, by ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations, accommodation of industry standards and proper use of relevant formats.

23 Aug 2010

Aetna offers Employee Assistance Program resources for flood-impacted members

Aetna is making it easier for members impacted by the flooding in Tennessee to refill prescriptions and access employee assistance and behavioral health programs.The company is monitoring the situation carefully, and will re-evaluate its medical and dental policies for members as necessary to help them access care in the flood-impacted areas in Middle Tennessee, where many people face evacuations from their homes.

23 Aug 2010