by Toby Roberts on November 13, 2009
A large scale investigation of Medicare fraud by pharmaceutical companies has led to a settlement with Omnicare and ongoing investigations of Johnson & Johnson and other major drug makers. The focus of the investigation is on alleged kickbacks to companies that dispense drugs in exchange for preferential treatment in the writing and filling prescriptions.
The Omnicare settlement includes repayment of $98 million plus interest to federal and some state government Medicare programs. The complaint alleged that Omnicare paid millions of dollars to two nursing home chains in exchange for the sale of several of their generic drugs. The company has admitted no wrong doing as part of the settlement but has agreed to implement new training and company policies to clarify future practices. IVAX, part of Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, has agreed to pay 14 million plus interest as a part of their settlement. The investigation of Johnson & Johnson is ongoing. [click to continue…]
by Toby Roberts on November 9, 2009
The pharmaceutical industry has reacted with a degree of opposition to the House passage of the health bill over the weekend. The bill includes the provision for billions of dollars that drug companies will have to provide the government over a ten year period to help finance the reforms. Companies have spent a significant amount of time negotiating the terms of the rebates. The government is convinced that the payout will be offset by the increased customer base once most Americans have coverage. [click to continue…]
by Toby Roberts on November 6, 2009
This week the FDA launched a program aimed at reducing the number of injuries caused by preventable medication errors. The FDA is currently working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to come up with accurate estimates of the number of deaths due to medication misuse.
A large area of concern is the possible interactions of over the counter medications. On the heels of the reexamination of the appropriate 24-hour dosages of acetometaphine, the FDA wants to focus on informing consumers of appropriate dosages and making those dosages easier to determine. New guidelines have recently been issued for medications that come with measuring devices such as cups or droppers.
The Safe Use Initiative is aimed at cutting in half the estimated 100,000 hospitalizations that occur each year from accidental and intentional misuse of medication. The hope is that by combining consumer education efforts with examination and revision of package and instructional standards the potential for misuse will drop dramatically.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/04/medication.misuse.fda/
by Toby Roberts on November 4, 2009
St. Louis based Schnucks market has recently added thirty eye site kiosks to their pharmacy department in the hopes to increase customer service and drive traffic into the pharmacies. The kiosks are designed to help determine near and distance vision using eye charts and to also provide additional information for optometrists in the area.
Schnucks states that the kiosks are to help consumers take a more active role in their overall health care. Pharmacists often answer questions about over the counter eye care products but in the past have had to refer out all questions regarding vision and testing. The kiosks give the pharmacist a chance to provide patients with more specific information and basic testing materials.
The kiosks are made by SoloHealth who is hoping to expand their use to at least five other cities by the end of the year. The company is working primarily with supermarkets but is also on the lookout for alternative locations. Success with blood pressure testing kiosks has led to the vision pilot and the increased emphasis on patient information services.
http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Schnucks-adds-EyeSite-kiosks-to-pharmacies/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/638771?contextCategoryId=47448
by Toby Roberts on October 22, 2009
Union, Mo. Has just become the second town in the United States that will require a prescription for commonly used cold medications. Following in the footsteps of Washington, Mo., Union is attempting to curb the sales of cold medication to combat the town’s major problem with methamphetamine production and use.
Towns across the United States have taken action in recent years by moving medications that include pseudoephedrine, the major ingredient in methamphetamine, behind the pharmacy counters. Most require ID to buy the medications and some areas even record and limit the number of packages that individuals are allowed to buy. Oregon is the only state with a state-wide prescription requirement for pseudoephedrine medications.
Critics suggest that the move will increase health care costs and be inconvenient to those who are used to getting the items over the counter. Pharmacists in the area say they have not heard any major outcry from consumers. They note that most seem willing to put up with the inconvenience in the hope that it will curb the meth problem in their communities.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33316392
by Toby Roberts on October 19, 2009
The Generic Pharmaceutical Industry Association (GPIA) has released a statement opposing the recently approved bill that will require them to pay substantial rebates to state and federal Medicaid programs as a part of health care reform. The bill, which passed last week in the Senate Finance Committee, requires generic drug makers to pay $460 million in rebates over a ten year period. The GPIA argues that the rebates will result in fewer companies making generic drugs which will result in higher prices for consumers.
In contrast, a deal recently struck with brand name drug makers requires them to offer $80 billion in discounts over the same ten year period. The benefit to brand name drug makers is that the deal also ensures them 12 years of exclusive production on biologic drugs as well as an agreement that they will sell the drugs at half price to consumers during the period that they fall into the Medicare coverage gap.
Experts disagree with the assessment of the GPIA arguing that the increase in medical coverage in general will lead to higher sales of generic drugs. The degree to which this will offset the $460 million they will owe in rebates remains to be seen.
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2009/October/15/Generic-drug-makers.aspx
