Month: July 2017

NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending July 29, 2017

GOP Health Care Overhaul Stalls Indefinitely:  The Senate rejected several proposals to repeal and/or replace the ACA, including a final attempt at a “skinny” repeal primarily targeted at the individual and employer insurance mandates. The votes likely end the remarkable,

In the Mon Valley, Independent Pharmacies Have Stood the Test of Time

When Joe Janosik’s grandfather bought a pharmacy in Monessen, he started what would become a three-generation family business. The original location, a few doors down on Sixth Street, had a soda and ice cream bar. “We’ve been here since the

Contact Your Legislator and Make Your Voice Heard

The House of Representatives will be adjourning for its annual August in district work period at the end of this week and is scheduled to remain out of session until September 5. Many legislators will be in district for the

The Expanded Access Navigator – Helping Patients In Need of Potentially Life-Saving Drug Treatments

Patients with serious or immediately life-threatening diseases or conditions who have no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy and who seek access to potentially life-saving investigational drugs will have another option to guide them through the process – thanks to the

It’s Back-to-School Time

It’s back-to-school time—is your pharmacy prepared? I’m not just talking about having school supplies on hand. Parents may come into your pharmacy with questions about a good children’s vitamin to take, or what you recommend for cough and cold medicines

To-Do List Item: Order Banners for Flu Shots

Order your flu shot banners and signage now to be prepared for the start of flu shot and immunization season in August and September. A simple message like “Flu shots available here!” will do the trick. In addition, check the

‘Alexa, help manage my diabetes.’ That’s what Merck and its contest finalists envision for the Amazon platform

What can Amazon Alexa can do for people with diabetes? When Merck & Co.’s Alexa Diabetes Challenge posed that question earlier this year, contest entries turned the voice-enabled system into a mood-sensing coach, a nutrition assistant and a sleuth that

Pharmacy Owners: Tell Your Story

NCPA has put together its fourth census to document who you are and what you do. This is your chance to be a part of the bigger story NCPA communicates to legislators, regulators, the media, and patients.  Data from the

Community Pharmacy Champions Talk About PBMs on House Floor

Independent community pharmacy champion U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) hosted a special order on the House floor Monday evening to talk about PBMs and the role of community pharmacy. Collins was joined by two Congressional friends of pharmacy from Georgia,

Pennsylvania Announces Disposal Plan in Effort to Curb Opioid Abuse

To help reduce the diversion of prescription drugs in communities hit hardest by the opioid epidemic, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office will supply 300,000 drug deactivation and disposal pouches to pharmacies in 12 counties. The action means everyone who receives a Schedule

Counterfeit Pills Laced With Fentanyl Are Ravaging Communities Across North America

For more than a decade, counterfeit drugs with unreliable ingredients have caused patients suffering by not curing their illnesses. Now, counterfeit drugs with deadly ingredients threaten American lives with just one dose. A closed, secure supply chain is even more imperative when

Purchasing Medication For Your Pet From An Unlicensed Online Pharmacy Can Hurt Them

When Dr. Watts’ veterinary patient stopped responding to medication, Dr. Watts questioned the source of the medication. The pet’s owner purchased the medication from online. When the doctor called the manufacturer with the owner in the room, the manufacturer stated that they

Endo Pulls Opioid as U.S. Seeks to Tackle Abuse Epidemic

Endo International Plc said on Thursday it agreed to withdraw its long-acting opioid painkiller Opana ER from the market after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared its benefit did not outweigh public health risks associated with opioid abuse. Read

Federal Judge Enters Consent Decree Against Alabama Compounder Medistat- Drug Information Update

U.S. District Judge William H. Steele entered a consent decree of permanent injunction yesterday between the United States and Medistat RX LLC of Foley, Alabama, the company’s co-owners, Mark D. Acker and Timothy L. Fickling, and quality manager and pharmacist-in-charge

July 12 Webinar: How to Budget for Your Pharmacy’s Technology Needs

Choosing the right technology to fit your business needs and help you to expand is only a part of the equation; a “good fit” has to include how you budget for adding capabilities. Join a July 12 live webinar by NCPA for

NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending June 30, 2017

MAC Update Amendment Included in House Defense Authorization Bill:  Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA) successfully added an amendment to the defense authorization bill to ensure that MAC lists are regularly updated in the TRICARE retail pharmacy program.  This is a big step

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