Drug Topics - October 29, 2007 - (Page 19)

19 Following the publication of the report, many legislators expressed outrage over the Part D waste and failure to pass on rebates. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association issued a response to the report. It said that while there is always room for improvement, pharmacy benefit managers are proud of their performance and most seniors are pleased with their Part D plan. NCPA’s Roberts calls for optimism amid difficulty In an address at the NCPA 109th Annual Convention, held in Anaheim, Calif., Bruce Roberts, executive VP and CEO of the community pharmacy group, focused on the group’s successful lobbying efforts and called for greater involvement from community pharmacists. According to Roberts, renewed focus on the group’s political action committee, Rx PAC, has raised its profile as it approaches $1 million in fundraising for the 2008 elections. Roberts also noted that the group’s ConBruce Roberts gressional Community Pharmacy Caucus has risen to close to 50 members and has helped influence legislation on tamper-resistant prescription pads, prompt pay, and a fix for the Medicaid average manufacturer price rule. Roberts also called on the independent pharmacists gathered at the meeting to get more involved in e-prescribing and medication therapy management. makes its product subject to regulation as drugs. The FDA warning, however, failed to convince the company to change its marketing of the products. Last week’s seizure of FulLife’s Charantea Ampalaya supplements is the second in two months by the FDA. On Aug. 23, U.S. Marshals seized about $41,000 worth of Glucobetic, Neuro-betic, Ocu-Comp, Atri-Oxi, Super-Flex, MSM-1000, and Atri-E-400 from a company in northern Florida. That company, Charron Nutrition of Tallahassee, is charged with promoting its products as a treatment for serious diseases. Beware of new warnings for contrast agents If you’re administering the micro-bubble contrast agents Definity (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere, Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging) or Optison (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres for Injection, GE Healthcare), beware that the FDA has just issued new labeling that warns that these products have not been tested for safety and efficacy when used with exercise or pharmacological stress. The agency also cautioned that the products are contraindicated among patients with unstable cardiopulmonary status. For more information, refer to http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/ safety07.htm#bubble. The agency is issuing this caution because it has received reports of 11 deaths and numerous serious cardiopulmonary reactions after patients with unstable cardiopulmonary status were given these agents. Tuesday 10/16/07 False claims lead marshals to seize $71,000 worth of supplements U.S. Marshals have seized $71,000 worth of dietary supplements from a Florida company that claimed the products helped treat diabetes, anemia, and hypertension. FulLife Natural Options Inc. of Boca Raton claims on its Web site that its Charantea Ampalaya supplement—in both capsule and tea form—helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Though a Web site disclaimer states Charantea Ampalaya is “not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease,” the company said it highly recommends the product for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients. FulLife also claims that Charantea Ampalaya—in limited clinical trials—helped improve the blood sugar levels of diabetics. A complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida charges FulLife’s Charantea Ampalaya products violate the drug and misbranding provisions of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The FDA told FulLife that its claims relating to treatment of diseases NCPA political powerhouse John Rector to retire next year John Rector, general counsel of NCPA and the force behind so many of the group’s political wins, will retire next year. So announced NCPA president John Tilley at the association’s annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., last week. NCPA hopes that Rector, who joined the association in 1980, will still consult for the group. Rector told Drug Topics that before he joined NCPA, he worked in the Senate and was introduced to the independent pharmacy community through Louisiana pharmacist and former NCPA John Rector president Sal D’Angelo, who passed away recently. He added that he would probably work for a law firm after he leaves NCPA. Medicaid spending remains flat State Medicaid spending will grow by only 2.9% in 2007 as declining enrollment and cost-control measures have reduced the burden on states, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Spending is expected to rise by 6.3% in 2008, based on current state budg- http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#bubble http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#bubble

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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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