Drug Topics - October 29, 2007 - (Page 18)

18 DRUG TOPICS OCTOBER 29, 2007 www.drugtopics.com The Week at a Glance Homeopathic firms hope to capitalize on OTC withdrawal Homeopathic manufacturers are attempting to make hay out of the recent voluntary withdrawal of OTC cough and cold medicines for infants. For instance, Hyland’s Inc., maker of homeopathic remedies, held a press teleconference to discuss the safety of homeopathic cough and cold products for babies and young children. Timothy Fior, M.D., a family and homeopathic physician based in Chicago, stated, “I treat infants and children with coughs, colds, and flu on a daily basis, especially in the fall. I’ve found homeopathic remedies are a very safe and effective way of treating children with these problems, even children under two years old. One of the advantages I’ve seen of using homeopathic remedies is that in treating people who have recurrent coughs, colds, and flu, we find that with homeopathy, the frequency and severity of these cough, colds, and flu can actually decrease over time.” fulfillment center, distributing specialty drugs such as therapies for hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, infertility, psoriasis, and transplants. “Today there are more innovative therapies to treat these very debilitating diseases,” said Recie Bomar, VP of Specialty Pharmacy at WellPoint. “Our ability to meet the special needs of these members is a testament to the advanced technology we have implemented and the personal care coordination we are able to provide.” Staffing and service rose at independent pharmacies in 2006 Despite a difficult year, the level of staffing and the range of services offered increased at many independent community pharmacies, according to the 2007 NCPA-Pfizer Digest. The study, which has been conducted for 75 years, surveyed independent pharmacies based on 2006 data and found that the number of independent community pharmacies decreased by 1,152 from the 2006 results. According to the study, more pharmacies are offering nutrition, compounding, herbal medicine, hospice services, and disease state management among their increasingly diverse offerings. In addition, the pharmacies now average 13.4 full-time equivalent employees in 2006, up from 12.8 the previous year. Staffing of pharmacists increased to 1.9 from 1.7. In addition the survey noted, the average hourly wages for pharmacists, technicians, and clerks all rose over the year. Walgreen Co. receives NAPB accreditation for DMEPOS NABP has awarded Walgreen Co. accreditation for its mail-order pharmacy services and its retail stores through the association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS program ensures that pharmacies supplying DMEPOS products meet CMS’ quality and accreditation standards. Those pharmacies that are accredited through the program are doing their part to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the appropriate products, services, and patient care associated with DMEPOS. Wednesday 10/17/07 Former airline maintenance center becomes specialty pharmacy Part of the former United Airlines maintenance center at Indianapolis International Airport has been turned into a specialty pharmacy by WellPoint Inc. WellPoint’s newest PrecisionRx Specialty Solutions (PRxSS) pharmacy occupies 126,000 sq. ft. of space at the maintenance center, which United Airlines used for nearly 10 years, before declaring bankruptcy in 2003. More than 400 people work at the PRxSS store, including pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacists, registered nurses, business analysts, and data analysts. Company officials said they expect the store to serve mostly as a prescription New report damning to Part D private insurers A new report charges that private insurers that operate the Medicare Part D plans are wasting billions of dollars in five ways: • charging high administrative expenses • failing to negotiate significant manufacturer rebates • not passing on rebates to beneficiaries in coverage gaps • using drug price formulas that leave enrollees vulnerable to price increases • having a mixed record in promoting generics Prepared for Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D, Calif.), chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the report claims to provide for the first time proprietary data from 12 insurers covering 18 million beneficiaries. http://www.drugtopics.com http://oversight.house.gov/

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Drug Topics - October 29, 2007 Contents N.J. R.Ph.s Take AMP Fight to Congress Oral Care Product Sales Holding Steady Still More Stellar Independent Pharmacies Students to Students: Check Out Our Book The Week at a Glance

Drug Topics - October 29, 2007

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