Drug Topics July 7, 2008 - (Page 5) 5 NEWS Roundup< < < Chains and Business CVS/pharmacy helps consumers track spending with health savings and flexible spending accounts CVS/pharmacy is making it easier for shoppers enrolled in health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to save money and track eligible health purchases as part of its ExtraCare rewards program. Under a new system rolled out nationwide in early 2008, CVS/pharmacy checkout counters now provide shoppers with register receipts that highlight Rx drugs, OTCs, and other qualifying purchases so they can be easily identified and tracked with a special symbol indicating which items are HSA/FSA eligible. To make redemption of HSA/FSA funds as easy as possible, CVS/pharmacy register receipts also present separate sub-totals for items that are HSA/FSA eligible. ined how Medicare's competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) could impact how seniors manage their diabetes. The coalition is concerned that competitive bidding for diabetic testing supplies may cause seniors to lose access to the most commonly prescribed diabetes testing supplies, or create confusion about where they can obtain the supplies they are currently using to help them manage their diabetes. NACDS praises House bill to reform DMEPOS competitive bidding The National Association of Chain Drug Stores praised the introduction of legislation that will delay and reform Medicare's competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). H.R. 6252, the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008, was introduced by House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D, Calif.) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Dave Camp (R, Mich.), along with original cosponsors Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D, N.Y.), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D, Mich.), Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone (D, N.J.), and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R, Ohio). In a letter to the bill's sponsors, NACDS stated, "H.R. 6252 will ensure that suppliers are treated more fairly and that beneficiaries continue to have access to necessary items and services." Kerr Drug, KDI, HealthTrans collaborate on drug benefit plan Two North Carolina companies, Kerr Drug, KDI Health Solutions, and HealthTrans announced a new community-based pharmacy benefit plan designed for North Carolina employers. The patient-centric prescription benefit plan rewards employees with broader prescription benefits and best-of-class service, and employers with desired cost savings and improved workplace productivity. Highlights of the value-based plan design include a regionally focused dispensing network, preferred pricing and incentives when filling prescriptions at a Kerr Drug pharmacy. In addition, members have access to KDI Health Solution's statewide network for clinical pharmacists specially trained in chronic care management, combining health coaching and optimization of medication therapy. KDI Health Solutions is a healthcare provider organization specializing in preventive and chronic care management. HealthTrans is a pharmacy benefits administrator. Senate resolution calls on FDA to reverse its policy on estriol The U.S. Senate has introduced a resolution calling on the Food & Drug Administration to reverse its policy barring estriol from being used in compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. The resolution, S. Con. Res. 88, was introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R, Texas) and Jim Bunning (R, Ky.) and follows a similar House resolution, introduced in May. The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists applauded the new Senate resolution. Meanwhile, the House resolution has gained a total of 32 members of the House as co-sponsors. Government & Law Competitive bid program could impede seniors' access to diabetes supplies The new Medicare durable medical equipment competitive bidding program that starts July 1 could make it more difficult for seniors to manage their diabetes care, according to a new analysis released today from The George Washington University School for Public Health and Health Services. The analysis, sponsored by the Diabetes Access to Care Coalition (DACC), exam- FDA warns individuals and firms to stop selling fake cancer cures Warning letters have been sent to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently claiming to prevent and cure cancer, according to the Food & Drug Administration. The FDA also warns North American consumers http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/promotion?pid=6254 http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/promotion?pid=6254 http://www.iacprx.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_page http://www.iacprx.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_page http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1841 http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01852.html
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