LEGAL NEWS

Provider groups file lawsuit against DHCS, HHS over Medicaid program cuts

Pharmacy and medical groups are suing the California Department of Health Care Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program. » More

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes management

With 25.8 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 79 million more pre-diabetic, every pharmacist must be able to counsel patients and monitor progression. Earn up to 2 CPE credits. » Click here to login and take the exams

CLINICAL NEWS

Number of patients taking dabigatran declines after first 4 months, study finds

Patients using the relatively new blood thinner dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) failed to remain on the treatment 17% of the time after the first 4 months, increasing their risk of stroke, according to a new study. » More

Low vitamin D linked to heart disease, death, study finds

In people with low blood levels of vitamin D, boosting them with supplements more than halved a person's risk of dying from any cause compared to someone who remained deficient, a large new study finds. » More

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES

Obama nominates new Medicare chief, Berwick steps down

A senior U.S. official who helped lead President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul will step down from the helm of the Medicare program after Republicans blocked his Senate confirmation for the job. » More

Survey

President Obama’s executive order to take action on the public health crisis of prescription drug shortages includes directing FDA to broaden reporting of potential shortages, expedite regulatory reviews, and increase staffing resources for the FDA’s Drug Shortages Program. Do you agree with his executive order?

a) Yes, it will definitely make a difference to the prescription drug shortages.
b) Yes, but it will take more than the order to fix the prescription drug shortages.
c) No, Congress should be enacting legislation to fix the prescription drug shortages.
d) No, the order will do little to help the prescription drug shortages.

Respond here and see what your colleagues think too.

Want to see the results of our last survey about the implications of the possible Express Scripts/Medco merger? Click here.

FDA ACTIONS

FDA approves new sleeping pill

FDA has approved zolpidem tartrate sublingual (Intermezzo, Transcept Pharmaceuticals Inc.) as a first-of-its kind treatment for a particular type of insomnia. » More

PHARMA

Questions raised about prescribing atorvastatin, 180-day period costs

Pfizer, Medco, and pharmacy groups are all battling to get their voices heard after a November article in The New York Times raised questions about prescribing Lipitor versus atorvastatin (the new generic form of Lipitor). » More

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Jaeger joins NACDS in newly created position

Pharmacy association veteran Kathleen Jaeger will publicly advance the role of pharmacists in patient care in a newly created position with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. » More

Voices

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