US Pharm.
32(11):6.
"Behind-the-Counter" Drug Category Considered by FDA
Rockville, MD --
The FDA is considering an official new category of prescription drugs that
could be dispensed without a prescription after consulting with a pharmacist.
While a "behind-the-counter" category may seem new, in actuality there are
already several products being sold only by pharmacists and limited to
customers who show photo identification. These include the emergency
contraceptive Plan B and cold products that contain pseudoephedrine. The FDA
said "because pharmacists have the training and knowledge to provide certain
interventions, they may be able to ensure that patients meet the conditions
for use and educate patients on appropriate use of the [behind-the-counter]
drug product."
Medicare Part D
Reimbursement Fix a Bit Closer to Reality
Washington, DC --
Bipartisan support for prompt reimbursement of Medicare Part D prescription
drug claims to community pharmacies continues to gain support in the House of
Representatives. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) reports
that H.R. 1474, The Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Medicare
Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2007, has signed its 220th cosponsor.
"Slow government reimbursements have left some patients without access to
their prescription medications and their community pharmacists, which is a
trend that can be halted by taking corrective action," said Bruce Roberts,
NCPA's executive vice president/CEO.
NCPA Applauds Wisconsin
Budget Provision
Alexandria, VA --
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) reports that provisions
were provided in the passage of the Wisconsin state budget that address the
negative ramifications of federally imposed cuts to Medicaid, specifically the
use of the Average Manufacturers Price (AMP), in calculating generic
prescription drug reimbursements. In a published statement, the NCPA said it
applauds the Wisconsin legislature "for including provisions in their state
budget that will ensure Medicaid patients continue receiving their generic
prescription drugs."
Illinois Pharmacists Could
Settle Birth Control Lawsuit
Springfield, Ill
-- An Illinois legislative panel is reviewing a settlement in reaction to a
lawsuit brought by several pharmacists over a ruling that mandates pharmacists
fill all prescriptions despite personal moral views about the drugs they are
dispensing. The drug currently in question is the emergency contraceptive Plan
B. Under the agreement, Illinois pharmacists who object to dispensing drugs
based on moral views would be allowed to let a pharmacist at another location
instruct a pharmacist at the first location how to fill the prescription. The
compromise would therefore allow a woman to get an emergency contraceptive
filled while not violating any pharmacist's moral convictions.
Independents Continue to
Rank High in Patient Care
Alexandria, VA --
According to the latest data from the annual NCPA-Pfizer Digest,
despite financially hard times, the numbers of niche services offered by
independent community pharmacists increased in 2006. The services include
nutrition counseling, delivery services, compounding, scheduling patient
appointments, and pain management. The survey also uncovered that staffing in
independent pharmacies continued to increase, resulting in a rise in the
average number of full-time pharmacists, part-time pharmacists, and pharmacy
technicians. The data also showed that wages for staff pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians rose between 2005 and 2006. Over half the pharmacists
said they are able to receive electronic prescriptions.
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