Gov. Rick Scott Signs Pill Mill Bill Into Law

TALLAHASSEE -- After initially fighting one of its key provisions, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday aimed at cracking down on clinics that frivolously dispense pain pills, feeding a nationwide prescription drug abuse epidemic.

"Florida will shed its title as the Oxy Express," Scott said at a bill signing ceremony in Tampa.

The signing ended what had been a hard-fought political battle over how to stop an epidemic that kills an estimated seven Floridians daily.

Read more: Gov. Rick Scott Signs Pill Mill Bill Into Law

PMPs Continue to Sign on to Participate in National System for Tracking Drug Abuse and Diversion

As part of its continuing efforts to protect public health by reducing abuse, misuse, and diversion of prescription medications, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) has completed development of the NABP PMP InterConnect™. NABP will now focus on working with participating state prescription monitoring program (PMP) administrators and their software vendors to finalize the software interface so that PMP systems can efficiently and effectively communicate with the NABP InterConnect and facilitate interoperability among PMPs. Data sharing among states is an important part of early detection of prescription drug abuse and doctor shopping, to allow appropriate intervention and prevention of substance abuse and possible diversion of controlled substances.

Read more: PMPs Continue to Sign on to Participate in National System for Tracking Drug Abuse and Diversion

Glaxo’s Diabetes Drug Avandia Pulled From U.S. Pharmacies

GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia will be pulled from U.S. pharmacies in November and available only through a special program, the Food and Drug Administration said.

The restrictions are part of a risk mitigation strategy established in September with a medication guide to limit the use of Avandia after data suggested patients had a higher chance of heart attacks.

Read more: Glaxo’s Diabetes Drug Avandia Pulled From U.S. Pharmacies

Restricting Access to Mail-Service Pharmacies Increases Prescription Drug Costs for New York Consumers, Employers, Unions

Proposal Enriches Independent Drugstores at Expense of Patients

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New York State Senate's budget includes a legislative proposal that would take away private and public sector payers' ability to provide lower cost home delivery options for chronic medications, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

"Everyone knows that mail-service pharmacies make prescriptions more affordable for consumers, employers, and unions," said PCMA President and CEO Mark Merritt. "This proposal would enrich independent drugstores at the expense of patients and put New York in an even deeper budgetary hole than it is already in."

Read more: Restricting Access to Mail-Service Pharmacies Increases Prescription Drug Costs for New York Consumers, Employers, Unions

Pharmacists Expand Role To Help Educate And Coach Patients

The average adult fills about a dozen prescriptions and refills every year; after age 65, they fill more than 30 prescriptions annually. For many people, their local pharmacist may be as familiar as their doctor — and often a lot easier to get time with. Some pharmacists are building on that position, expanding their role from drug dispenser to drug educator and chronic disease coach. By doing so, they may fill a void created by the shortage of primary-care physicians while boosting their business.

Janis McGannon has heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A few months ago she accepted an offer from a nurse at the Bay Street Pharmacy near her home in Sebastian, Fla., to join a new "healthy heart" program at the pharmacy.

At a meeting of the program's participants, Theresa Tolle, a pharmacist and the owner of Bay Street, gave a talk to about a dozen customers about cholesterol: what it is, how it works and how it can be managed. After everyone was weighed and measured, they received a goody bag that included a pedometer to encourage them to walk 10,000 steps a day.

Read more: Pharmacists Expand Role To Help Educate And Coach Patients

FDA warns public of continued extortion scam by FDA impersonators

For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2011

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of a continued  international extortion scam.

Read more: FDA warns public of continued extortion scam by FDA impersonators

GAO Study Affirms Health Reform Law Sets Medicaid Pharmacy Reimbursement at More Reasonable Levels

Alexandria, VA 12.17.10 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive VP & CEO Kathleen Jaeger issued the following statement today on an analysis conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) at the request of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA): "Independent community pharmacies are the backbone of the Medicaid drug benefit. They are often located in underserved urban and rural areas where many Medicaid

PharmaLink signs with Managed Health Care Associates, Inc (MHA)

March 2010 – PharmaLink signs 3 year extension with Managed Health Care Associates, Inc (MHA)

Managed Health Care Associates, Inc (MHA); the largest provider of contract purchasing services to long-term care (LTC) pharmacies, and PharmaLink; a leading provider of pharmaceutical return and disposal logistic solutions, have executed a 3 year extension to the returns contract for all their members. PharmaLink has been servicing MHA members since 2005.

ASHP Summer Meeting

June 2010 – Come see us at Booth # 110 at the ASHP Summer Meeting, June 6 – 9, 2010

PharmaLink will be exhibiting at the ASHP 2010 Summer Meeting at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Florida from June 6 – 9, 2010. Please come visit us at Booth # 110 so that we can review our products and services with you.

FPA 120th Annual Meeting and Convention

June 2010 – Come see us at the FPA 120th Annual Meeting and Convention, June 30 – July 4, 2010 

PharmaLink will be exhibiting at the Florida Pharmacy Association 120th Annual Meeting and Convention at Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa, Marco Island, Florida from June 30 - July 4, 2010. Please come visit us at our Booth so that we can review our products and services with you.