Drug Topics - November 12, 2007 - (Page 18)

18 DRUG TOPICS NOVEMBER 12, 2007 www.drugtopics.com The Week at a Glance mediate assistance from a pharmacist, they should call member services at 1-(800) 282-2881. Meanwhile, CIGNA announced several ways it is helping its members affected by the fires, including expedited handling of prescriptions, expanded access to employee assistance programs, and flexibility in handling claims. Members can call the number on their membership card or the CIGNA information line at 1-(800) CIGNA24. CIGNA’s actions will be in effect until Nov. 4 or later if necessary. Monday 10/29/07 Report says employers’ drug cost increases stay in single digits Employers’ prescription drug cost increases remain in the single digits, according to research findings from the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute’s (PBMI) 2007 Prescription Drug Benefit Cost and Plan Design Report. The report was expanded to capture newer metrics on per-member, per-month cost and utilization in addition to trending information on drug benefit plan design. In addition, PBMI reinstated tracking of utilization management tools. “Employers are effectively using many tools to control their drug costs, including multitiered formularies, innovative cost sharing, generic dispensing incentives, negotiated pharmacy reimbursement, and a broad range of utilization management approaches,” said Dana H. Felthouse, PBMI president. The report, supported by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, showed the average cost increase to employers at 6.9%, the lowest rate since PBMI began conducting the survey in 1995, according to Felthouse. FDA grants extension for approval of pancreatic extract drugs The FDA has extended the time period for manufacturers of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency drugs to obtain approval for their products. These drugs have been sold in this country for many years, predating the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, so they did not obtain FDA approval before entering the market. The agency had given manufacturers until April 28, 2008, to obtain clearance for their drugs, but some companies told the FDA that they need more time. To ensure that patients have access to these products, the agency is granting a two-year extension—until April 28, 2010. The FDA added that manufacturers must have investigational New Drug Applications filed by April 28, 2008, and must submit New Drug Applications by April 28, 2009. This FDA notice was published in the Oct. 26 Federal Register. APhA backs release of new drug information database Lexi-Comp, a provider of clinical content, and APhA jointly announced the release of Lexi-Comp ONLINE, a drug information database designed for independent community pharmacists. The database will include information on pediatric, geriatric, and other drugs. The database will also include a drug and herbal interaction analysis, a program to identify unknown drugs, and educational materials for patient counseling. APhA members who order it through the www.pharmacist.com Web site will receive a 5% discount on the annual license fee. WellCare Health Plan headquarters raided by FBI The headquarters of WellCare Health Plans were raided recently by FBI agents. WellCare offers Medicaid health plans and has more than 900,000 beneficiaries enrolled in its Medicare Part D programs nationwide. In an audio statement, Todd S. Farha, the company’s chairman and CEO, insisted that its services “are operational and will remain uninterrupted” and that it is cooperating with the investigation. Upon news of the raid, shares in the company dropped more than 70% and trading of the stock was briefly halted. No details about the reason for the raid have been released, but in June the company was one of five insurers to halt marketing of its Medicare Part D plans after accusations of unscrupulous tactics. New MTM program offered in North Carolina ChecKmeds will offer a community pharmacistbased medication therapy management program in North Carolina in 2008. The program will be administered by Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care. ChecKmeds NC is funded by the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund and is available to all North Carolina Medicare Part D plan enrollees. Eligible beneficiaries will receive an annual medication checkup as well as other services from Outcomestrained pharmacists. Although all Medicare Part D plans are required to offer MTM services, fewer than 50 currently offer community pharmacist-based MTM programs. The list of MTM programs can be found here. http://www.drugtopics.com http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-21082.htm http://www.pharmacist.com http://www.drugtopics.com/ drugtopics/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=439877

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Drug Topics - November 12, 2007 Contents Drugs Often Associated with Errors Wanted: More Convers to Drug Decision Tools MSRA Takeoff Raising Alarm Bells U.S. Still Volnerable to Drug Counterfeiting Strange Rx Stories: Are You Stupid? Are Students a Squandered Opportunity The Week at a Glance

Drug Topics - November 12, 2007

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