Yesterday, Governor Wolf approved House Bill 118, which will now become Act 40 of 2017. This contains provisions that reduce the PACE professional dispensing fee to $10.49, set to take effect immediately. Ultimately, this compromise is the result of debate…
Month: October 2017
NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending October 28, 2017
House E&C Committee Holds Hearing on Opioid Crisis: The Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing this week on federal efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The committee heard from witnesses from the FDA, DEA, SAMHSA, CDC, and NIH on…
Statement From FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on the Trump Administration’s Important Efforts to Address the Opioid Crisis
Yesterday the Administration took a historic step to direct additional resources to help address the staggering human and economic toll created by the epidemic of opioid addiction. We thank President Trump for his leadership in further empowering public and private…
How Independent Pharmacies Will Participate (Or Not) in 2018’s Part D Preferred Pharmacy Networks
THE NOTORIOUS FLA Large pharmacies interact and negotiate directly with PBMs and other third-party payers. However, nearly all smaller pharmacy owners participate in pharmacy services administration organizations (PSAOs) to leverage their influence in contract negotiations with PBMs and other third-party payers. The…
WBA to Shut 600 Stores in Retail Network Overhaul
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) plans to close 600 stores starting next year as it rationalizes its U.S. drug store base following the $4.375 billion purchase of 1,932 Rite Aid stores. In reporting its fiscal 2017 fourth-quarter and annual…
Pharmacy Robbery & Burglary: Tips to Protect Your Customers, Your Business and Yourself
In light of recent events in one of our pharmacies, here is a link to some information put together by the DEA Diversion Control Division & National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Gives some useful prevention tips, what to do…
NEW Biosimilar Educational Materials for Healthcare Professionals – Drug Information Update
FDA is pleased to announce the release of new educational materials for health care professionals about biosimilar and interchangeable products. The agency developed these educational materials to help increase understanding about these important new types of medication among health care…
NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending October 21, 2017
PBM Practices Exposed at Senate HELP Hearing on Drug Pricing: On Tuesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee held a hearing on how the drug delivery system affects drug pricing. Representatives on behalf of the brand and…
Nominate Your Store for a NICE Award
The NCPA Innovation Center is looking to spotlight the best of community pharmacy remodels, branding and marketing. NICE Award winners will be featured in the March 2018 issue of America’s Pharmacist. Nominations are now being accepted for these eight different…
Improved Access to Adverse Drug Event Reports
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new search tool that makes accessing data on adverse events easier. This new tool utilizes the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). The tool was designed to make it easy…
Food & Drug Administration Special Notice
Notice to Pharmacies in the Philadelphia Area FDA warns pharmacies of a potentially counterfeit drug purchased from a suspended pharmacy in Philadelphia. [10-17-2017] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pharmacies in the Philadelphia region to check any inventory…
NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending October 14, 2017
NCPA to Discuss Impact of PBMs on Community Pharmacy at FTC Public Workshop: As reported in last week’s update, the Federal Trade Commission will hold a workshop on November 8, 2017 entitled, “Understanding Competition in Prescription Drug Markets: Entry and Supply Chain…
Part D Enrollment Starts Sunday
The Medicare Annual Election Period starts Sunday and runs through Dec. 7. Your Medicare patients are starting to review their options for their 2018 Medicare Part D plan. NCPA has the following resources to help you assist your patients and…
City of Philadelphia Immunizers Only
The City of Philadelphia Department of Health is offering a “Standing Order” for immunizations without the need of having a Business Agreement with a physician. It has been very difficult for many stores to set up an agreement with a…
DIR Fees & Part D Got You Down?
Join PPA for a short webinar with iMedicare to learn how their tool might help you and your patients to better handle Part D. Open enrollment starts October 15 and runs through December 7. Make the most of this small…
NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending October 7, 2017
FTC to Conduct Workshop on November 8, Examining Prescription Drug Market Competition and PBMs: NCPA is pleased that the Federal Trade Commission this week announced they will hold a workshop on November 8, 2017 entitled, “Understanding Competition in Prescription Drug Markets: Entry…
Four Quick & Easy Ways to Boost Profits During Flu Season
• Put a good tip list for flu survival on your website and share it on social media. Indicate that patients can pick up flu prevention & relief items at your pharmacy (create end-caps for each). • If you are…
Doc Vader Rants About PBMs
‘Doc Vader’ is surprised by how much his EpiPen costs when he picks it up at the pharmacy, but even more surprised by the reason why: PBMs. Watch this new short rant from our NCPA Annual Convention keynote speaker Dr.…
Evolving the Community Pharmacy for a New Era of Healthcare
A Q&A with Brad Tice, the incoming president–elect of the American Pharmacists Association, on how pharmacy practice must evolve for our changing healthcare market.
NCPA Advocacy Center Update – Week Ending September 30, 2017
Study Finds Medicare ‘DIR Fee’ Legislation Would Save Government Billions: Eliminating retroactive pharmacy payment reductions — or post point-of-sale pharmacy “DIR fees” — in Medicare Part D would save the federal government $3.4 billion over 10 years, according to a…
Mel Brodsky Awarded the J. Allen Duffield Pharmaceutical Industry Award
Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) recently presented Mel Brodsky, RPH with the J. Allen Duffield Pharmaceutical Industry Award during PPA’s 2017 Annual Conference held at the Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center on September 23, 2017 in Pocono…
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