ASSOCIATION NEWS

NCPA survey shows negative link between diabetes supplies and bidding prices

Medicare Part B patients will suffer if diabetes testing supplies are subjected to competitive bidding prices, concluded a recent NCPA survey of more than 800 independent pharmacists. » More

“Pharmacy Safety and Security” video premieres at NCPA convention

Purdue Pharma and the NCPA premiered the third annual “RxPATROL Pharmacy Safety and Security” video last week at NCPA’s annual convention in Nashville, Tenn. » More

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Resource Center: Oral Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation afflicts more than 2.3 million persons in the United States and is expected to increase 2.5-fold by 2050. To find risk stratifying tools and articles on emerging oral anticoagulant therapies, click here.

Proposed ESI/Medco merger hot topic at NCPA convention

Community pharmacists’ opposition to the proposed Express Scripts/Medco Health Solutions merger was heard loud and clear during NCPA’s annual convention held last week in Nashville, Tenn. » More

CLINICAL NEWS

Overweight children have increased blood pressure risk, study finds

Children who are overweight or obese have 3 times the risk of high blood pressure compared with children of normal weight, reported a study published recently in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. » More

Dasatinib use may increase risk of PAH

Dasatinib (Sprycel, Bristol-Myers Squibb) may increase the risk of PAH, announced a recent FDA Drug Safety Communication issued to healthcare professionals. » More

Survey

If two of the nation's largest PBMs, Express Scripts and Medco, merge, what would be the most significant implication for the industry?

a) Enhanced competition within the industry, resulting in even lower drug costs for PBM payer clients
b) Express Scripts' size advantage could reduce competition and increase long-term costs for payers
c) Increased pressures on retail pharmacies to compete in the market
d) Increased quality of PBM services across the industry as other PBMs strive to stay competitive
e) Minimal, if any

Respond here and see what your colleagues think too.

Want to see the results of our last survey about whether your pharmacy imposes a daily quota of filled prescriptions? Click here.

HEALTH PLANS

Blue Shield of California stops coverage of bevacizumab for breast cancer

Blue Shield of California will no longer pay for the use of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) to treat metastatic breast cancer, according to The New York Times. » More

FDA ACTIONS

FDA approves Ferriprox to treat excess iron

FDA has approved deferiprone (Ferriprox, ApoPharma) to treat patients with iron overload resulting from blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia. » More

FDA approves sitagliptin and simvastatin combination therapy

FDA recently approved sitagliptin and simvastatin (Juvisync, MSD International GmbH Clonmel), a fixed-dose combination prescription medication, for use by adults who have type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels. » More

FDA approves Combivent Respimat Inhalation Spray for patients with COPD

FDA recently approved ipratropium bromide and albuterol (Combivent Respimat Inhalation Spray, Boehringer Ingelheim) for patients with COPD who use a regular aerosol bronchodilator and who require a second bronchodilator. » More

OTC PRODUCTS

OTC Product News

In this section we showcase products and product news that ran up against space limitations or fell outside the parameters of recently featured categories in the print edition. » More

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