Drug Topics - December 17, 2007 - (Page 23)

www.drugtopics.com DECEMBER 17, 2007 DRUG TOPICS 23 NEWS Roundup Pressure mounts on pushing e-prescriptions A growing number of organizations and companies are calling for the increased use of e-prescriptions in government programs. The American Health Information Community, an advisory panel convened by Department of Health & Human Services secretary Michael Leavitt, is urging the secretary to mandate the use of eprescriptions in the Medicare program, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association issued a statement insisting that requiring physicians to e-prescribe in Medicare could “save billions and prevent up to 1.9 million medication errors over the next decade.” Consumers Union, publisher of Consumers Report, urged Sens. John Kerry (D, Mass.), John Ensign (R, Nev.), and Debbie Stabenow (D, Mich.) to require e-prescribing in Medicare legislation they are drafting. The legislation is expected to be finalized soon and may be part of a larger Medicare bill to be considered before the end of the year. In addition Sage Software signed a petition that urged the DEA to drop its restrictions on e-prescribing controlled substances. Horen’s purchased more than 600,000 hydrocodone doses between March and September 2007 and was one of the largest Internet pharmacies. In April, DEA also suspended the license of an AmerisourceBergen distribution center, which was reinstated in August. Chains and Business NACDS designates AARP a Community Pharmacy Great Communicator NACDS has designated AARP a “Community Pharmacy Great Communicator.” The program was created to honor those who publicly highlight the value of community pharmacy. A recent AARP poll, published in the November issue of the AARP, showed that pharmacists received outstanding “favorable” ratings among those surveyed. The poll revealed that 86% of respondents aged 50 and over, as well as 78% of respondents under 50, had a favorable opinion of pharmacists. Among respondents 50 and over, pharmacists garnered the highest favorable rating. The poll also rated various healthcare entities and providers. The results of the AARP poll can be found at www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourhealth. Democrats urge FDA to test lipstick for lead Following a study that found the presence of lead in 20 of 33 lipstick brands, Senators Barbara Boxer (D, Calif.), Diane Feinstein (D, Calif.), and John Kerry (D, Mass.) are calling upon the FDA to test more lipstick brands for the presence of lead and publicly report the results. The Senators also called on the FDA to limit lead in lipstick and other cosmetic products to “the lowest detectable levels found in laboratory tests.” Last month, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics issued a study that found lead levels ranging from 0.02 to 0.65 parts per million in 61% of 33 lipsticks tested. One-third of the lipsticks exceeded the FDA-recommended limit for lead in candy, but the FDA currently does not limit the level of lead in cosmetic products. Take Care Health Clinics debut at Walgreens in Nashville, Pittsburgh Take Care Health Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Walgreens, has opened three Take Care Health Clinics at Walgreens drugstores in the Nashville area and seven clinics at Walgreens stores in the Pittsburgh area. The Pittsburgh clinics relocated from Rite Aid pharmacies where they had been open since September 2006. One additional Take Care Clinic will open later this month. Bankrupt Calif. chain to sell off assets California-based Big A Drug Stores is selling off its 19 locations after being forced into bankruptcy by a creditor. The company has annual sales of $80 million and operated stores under the names of Drug Emporium, Big A, Camelot Drugs, Drug Fair, and Drug Barn. Big A is expecting to auction off the store locations on Dec. 21. In addition to selling its stores, Big A is also expecting to auction off its nonprescription inventory, which Business Week estimates to be worth nearly $10 million, and other assets before the end of the year. DEA suspends licenses at Cardinal Health and Horen’s Drug The Drug Enforcement Administration has suspended Cardinal Health’s license to distribute controlled substances from its Auburn, Wash., distribution center. The suspension impacts only controlled substances at the facility. The suspension stems from Cardinal’s failure to recognize that Burlington, Wash., Horen’s Drug was diverting hydrocodone on-line. According to DEA, Walgreens withdraws from four plans due to low pay by CVS Citing many months of talks over unreasonably low and below-market payment rates by CVS Caremark http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourhealth

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Drug Topics - December 17, 2007 Contents Noncompete Clause: Help or Hindrance? Don't Overlook Feminine Care and Family Planning Independent Pharmacies Are Dreaming of a Green Christmas Latest News Roundup

Drug Topics - December 17, 2007

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