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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.

60 Plus applauds FDA decision to remove unapproved colchicine products

James L. Martin, chairman of the 60 Plus Association, a seniors advocacy group, applauded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to remove unapproved colchicine products from the market, and called on drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to help the FDA protect patients from unapproved drugs.

19 Oct 2010

PharmaTrust to launch third generation MedCentre remote dispensing system

PharmaTrust is launching the next generation of the MedCentre remote dispensing system with world-class features that redefine and take remote dispensing services to the next level. The MedCentre is a modular, scalable solution designed to meet both patients' need for convenience and counseling and healthcare professionals' responsibility to deliver the highest level of care.

18 Oct 2010

Emollient creams on eczemous skin likely to make condition worse

New research at the University of Bath suggests that using emollient creams to relieve the symptoms of eczema could actually make the condition worse.

18 Oct 2010

Tips to understand health benefits during open enrollment

Consumers spend an average of 10 hours researching a new car, but only one hour or less reviewing their health benefit options in open enrollment season which begins this fall for millions of Americans.

18 Oct 2010

UK College of Medicine celebrates 50th anniversary

The year 2010 marks a significant date in the history of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. The festivities culminate on Oct. 15 with the Signature Event, held at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. This year commemorates individuals who have been a part of the accomplishments of the past five decades and for those who will be a part of its bright future.

18 Oct 2010

CVS agrees to record fine to settle meth suit

The CVS retail pharmacy chain agreed Thursday to pay a record fine to settle a civil case brought by federal prosecutors who said the company had allowed criminals to buy large amounts of methamphetamine ingredients over the counter.

18 Oct 2010

Researchers discover blocking beta-arrestin 1 protein can reduce severity of heart failure

A Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researcher has announced a breakthrough discovery to block a protein that can contribute to heart failure. His discovery will appear in an upcoming issue of the prestigious medical journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

18 Oct 2010

New analysis examines guiding principles for policymakers to fight health care fraud

In light of the recent historic Medicare fraud bust, a new 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 pharmacies, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

15 Oct 2010

PharMerica announces expiration of HSR Waiting Period to acquire Chem Rx

PharMerica Corporation, a national provider of institutional pharmacy and hospital pharmacy management services, announced today that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (the HSR Waiting Period) applicable to the bid to acquire substantially all of the assets of Chem Rx Corporation has expired.

15 Oct 2010

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