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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.

NCPA encourages patients on safe disposal of unwanted medications

In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, the National Community Pharmacists Association encourages patients to properly dispose of expired or unwanted medications at a local independent community pharmacy as part of its Dispose My Meds program.

10 Mar 2011

CHSI enters definitive agreement to acquire WHI for $525 million

Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Walgreen Co. to acquire Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management subsidiary, Walgreens Health Initiatives, Inc., for $525 million in cash.

9 Mar 2011

Optimism stems from Humana's focus on Medicare plans - but don't expect a dividend soon

With its focus on Medicare plans for the elderly, Humana Inc believes it can grow with the wave of aging baby boomers without moving far afield from its main customer base of seniors.

9 Mar 2011

HHS unveils format for consumer notices of insurance rate increases

Meanwhile, in other policy news related to the health law, Stateline examines how, for some states, waivers really are a big deal.

9 Mar 2011

Patients with epilepsy-linked memory loss worry more than their physicians

Patients with epilepsy worry more than their physicians do about the patients' potential memory loss accompanying their seizure disorder, according to a recent study.

9 Mar 2011

Mississippi researchers work on drug discovey for poison ivy skin rash

Each year nearly 50 million Americans develop an annoying skin rash after coming in contact with poison ivy. But University of Mississippi researchers are working on a pharmaceutical product to rein in the allergic reaction in people already sensitive to the plants and prevent it altogether in those who aren't.

8 Mar 2011

Humana joins with iCan to offer new individual healthcare plans

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has teamed with the iCan Benefit Group to offer a new line of discounted products for individual consumers. Effective immediately, people can access a variety of discounted packages that include dental, vision and pharmacy products.

8 Mar 2011

UCSF's new pharmacy to focus on direct patient care

Although it won't be obvious to UCSF Medical Center patients, behind the scenes a family of giant robots now counts and processes their medications. With a new automated hospital pharmacy, believed to be the nation's most comprehensive, UCSF is using robotic technology and electronics to prepare and track medications with the goal of improving patient safety.

8 Mar 2011

Mintz Levin's Health Law Practice to sponsor WBL's 10th Annual Summit

The Health Law Practice of Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. is a sponsor of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and WBL's 10th Annual Summit.

5 Mar 2011

Elsevier / Gold Standard announces enhancements to ProspectoRx

Elsevier / Gold Standard, a leading developer of drug databases and medication management solutions, announced today several enhancements to its pricing tool, ProspectoRx, including the addition of Federal Supply Schedule pricing to facilitate pricing analysis.

5 Mar 2011

US District Court certifies class-action lawsuit against McKesson for drug price manipulation

Today a United States District Court judge certified a nationwide, class-action lawsuit against McKesson Corporation on behalf of municipalities claiming McKesson engaged in a scheme to inflate fraudulently the price of more than 400 brand-name prescription drugs, including blockbusters such as Prozac, Lipitor, Zocor and Vioxx.

5 Mar 2011

Centric Health terminates acquisition of DNPI Group

Centric Health Corporation, Canada's leading diversified healthcare services company, today announced that in terms of previous announcements dated December 22, 2010 and January 12, 2011, it has terminated discussions for the acquisition of Dedicated National Pharmacies Inc., Methadrug Clinic Limited and Union Medical Pharmacy Inc. from the court-appointed receiver of the DNPI Group.

5 Mar 2011

FORTUNE magazine includes Quest Diagnostics in 'World's Most Admired Companies' list

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that it has been included on FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" list.

From Quest Diagnostics 5 Mar 2011

State roundup: After Vinson stay, Alaska to implement health law

After allowing the application deadline to pass for $1 million in federal health care assistance, Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said Thursday he will begin implementing the new health care law after all, now that a Florida judge has told the states to do just that.

5 Mar 2011

Enhancing function of protein CNT1 increases effectiveness of cancer-killing drugs in pancreatic tumors

New University of Georgia research has identified a protein that can be modified to improve the effectiveness of one of the most common drugs used to treat pancreatic cancer.

4 Mar 2011

Mater improves communication with external healthcare providers

A pilot of new web-based software designed to improve communication between Mater Health Services and external providers is being rolled out across Brisbane.

3 Mar 2011

FDA approves Amneal's Indomethacin ER capsules

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC is pleased to announce that it received U.S. FDA approval for Indomethacin Extended Release capsules, USP in the 75 mg strength effective December 1, 2010.

3 Mar 2011

NHCAA's Seven Guiding Principles for Policymakers to combat health care fraud

As the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means and House Energy and Commerce Committees and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee all hold hearings today on combating health care fraud, waste, and abuse, an analysis that examines the "Seven Guiding Principles for Policymakers" to fighting health care fraud invites new questions about legislative efforts to reduce accountability and oversight of independent drugstores, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association said today.

3 Mar 2011

Study: Men who consume non-steroidals more likely to have erectile dysfunction

Men who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs three times a day for more than three months are 2.4 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction compared to men who do not take those drugs regularly, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in The Journal of Urology.

3 Mar 2011

Study: Medication adherence alone may not benefit employees with chronic conditions

Medication adherence alone may not be enough to impact the productivity of employees with chronic conditions such as depression, diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease.

2 Mar 2011