Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - (Page 6) 6 DRUG TOPICS MAY 5, 2008 www.drugtopics.com > > >NEWS Roundup Report links fraud and drug diversion Insurance fraud is fueling drug diversion, which costs private insurers up to nearly $25 billion annually. That’s the conclusion of a report by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. To avert fraud and drug diversion, the coalition called for better point-of-sale controls at pharmacies, improved data mining, and strong state prescription monitoring programs. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy launches HIV/AIDS Web site Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy has launched a new HIV-focused Web site, hiv.walgreens.com, to expand the availability of HIV/AIDS information to patients and caregivers. The site gives patients advice from an HIV-trained pharmacist at home and provides information about HIV/AIDS, including signs, symptoms, treatment, and medication management. Patients and caregivers can also access a list of HIV-focused Walgreens pharmacy locations across the country. Medicine Shoppe celebrates 100th pharmacy offering diabetes care Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy pharmacists are celebrating the one hundredth store now operating Specialized Care Centers for diabetes patients (SCC-Diabetes). These centers help patients better understand their illness and track, analyze, and comply with their doctor's recommendations. As part of the program, nearly 200 pharmacists have received certification as diabetes managers. Pharmacies with a SCC-Diabetes offer education and counsel from the pharmacist as well as a special selection of products important for people with diabetes. 2009 Medicare Part D expenses to rise According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, beneficiary expenses for the Medicare Part D program in 2009 will increase 7.5% over the current year. For 2009 the deductible will rise from $20 to $295, the initial coverage limit will rise from $2,510 to $2,700, and the out-of-pocket threshold will increase $300 to $4,350. In addition, CMS announced that cost sharing for dual-eligible beneficiaries receiving the low-income subsidy will be $1.10 for generic and preferred multi-source drugs and $3.20 for other drugs. Recession fallout: Unfilled prescriptions The recession is driving many consumers to spend less on health, according to a new survey by QualityHealth. com. The survey, which covered 10,103 Americans, primarily boomer women, found that 22% said they have cut back on the prescriptions they fill. Even more respondents (29%) said they have reduced the number of visits they make to their doctor. Seven out of 10 respondents, though, said they are taking preventative measures, such as ingesting vitamins (48%), to maintain their health. QualityHealth.com is a part of Marketing Technology Solution. NACDS, NCPA ask CMS to withdraw multisource drug rule The National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to revoke an interim final rule it issued last month on multiple-source drugs. In comments submitted to CMS, NACDS and NCPA insisted that the revised definition of multiple-source drugs “does not properly implement the State availability standard established by the Social Security Act.” Furthermore the two organizations argued that the rule was improperly filed as an interim final rule, which circumvented the normal comment period. Last year, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking CMS from implementing the AMP rule in a suit brought by NCPA and NACDS. The suit has been amended to include the new rule. In the definition of multiplesource drugs, CMS assumes a drug is available in each state unless pharmacists can prove otherwise. Rx-to-OTC makes a comeback Fourteen prescription drugs that exceed $20 billion in sales in 2006 may have the potential to reach the overthe-counter market in four years. Prescription-to-OTC switches were frequent in 2006 and 2007 and, according to a new report by Kalorama Information, “The Return of the Rx to OTC Switch: Market Analysis and Product Management Strategies,” this trend will continue. The markets for Rx to OTC are forecast to reach $5 billion in 2008 and increase by close to 40% by 2010. Future potential switches include leading gastrointestinal drugs like Prevacid (lansoprazole, TAP Pharmaceuticals), Protonix (pantoprazole sodium, Wyeth), and Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium, Eisai). http://www.drugtopics.com http://hiv.walgreens.com http://QualityHealth.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 Contents Don't Get Caught in Fed's Fraud and Abuse Dragnets Sickle Cell Disease: The Hunt is On for a Cure Latest News Roundup Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - Don't Get Caught in Fed's Fraud and Abuse Dragnets (Page 3) Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - Sickle Cell Disease: The Hunt is On for a Cure (Page 4) Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - Sickle Cell Disease: The Hunt is On for a Cure (Page 5) Drug Topics - May 5, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 6)
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