Category Archives: Pharmacy

Purdue Pharma L.P. has launched an additional tool to fight pharmacy crime through Twitter. Pharmacy staff, law enforcement officials and loss prevention personnel can now follow updates about pharmacy robberies, burglaries and potential threats in their area and nationwide through Twitter/RXPATROL. The tweets provide safety and security tips for pharmacy staff that may help them better protect customers and their businesses. Followers also receive notices for reward offers that are funded through Purdue's partnership with Crime Stoppers and other local anti-crime organizations. "Pharmacy crime is a problem in many communities," said Captain Richard Conklin, program analyst for Stamford, Conn.-based RxPATROL. "RxPATROL is using new communication vehicles to help pharmacy staff and law enforcement fight pharmacy crime." The RxPATROL Program tracks and analyzes reports of pharmacy crime throughout the United States and posts important crime related information on its web site. The program also issues alerts and updates via email to registered users in the pharmacy and law enforcement communities. However, since many pharmacists do not have Internet access during work hours, but do have access to cell phones, RxPATROL now uses Twitter to deliver pharmacy crime updates instantly to followers via their cell phones. The tweets provide specific information on … Continue reading →

Citing a tiny Key West pharmacy as the top whistleblower in the country, a national study released Tuesday showed that whistleblowers are gaining billions of dollars for state and federal governments by exposing fraudulent practices in the pharmaceutical industry. The study from Public Citizen, a Washington consumer watchdog group, reported that that so far in 2012, whistleblowers have sparked $6.6 billion in penalties to be assessed against drug manufacturers, primarily for fraudulently charging high prices in the Medicaid program. The Public Citizen report, which covered whistleblower settlements of more than $1 million in the period from Nov. 2, 2010, through July 18, 2012, reported almost half of the actions came from Ven-A-Care, a Key West pharmacy owned by four men. The study cited a CNBC report that Ven-A-Cares revelations had brought more than $1.3 billion to the federal government since 2001. Another report, from the National Law Journal in 2011, estimated that the pharmacy had helped both state and federal governments recover more than $2.5 billion. The Law Journal estimated that the pharmacy owners and their lawyer received $340 million from the settlements as reward for blowing the whistle. The Public Citizen report noted how important whistleblowers had come during … Continue reading →

Sept. 27, 2012, midnight STAFF at Mayos Pharmacy in Lavington arent fooled by the scooter gang. When the youngsters turned the shop into a thoroughfare several times on Monday afternoon, staff members were on their toes to ensure nothing was stolen from the shelves. Pharmacy owner Andrew Crichton said he had chased them down the road a couple of months ago after they had stolen a handful of Freddo frogs. Its more frustrating than anything else, Mr Crichton said. It doesnt take them long to high-tail it out of here. Another store owner across the other side of Griffith Road said she often had a box-seat view of trouble-making kids as they raced from McDonalds, where they annoy staff, across the road to their regular hang-out at the Lavington Post Office. The woman, who didnt want to be named, said shed recently had an encounter with one of the boys who had stolen a $1 card from a stand outside her shop. She had gone out and taken the card off him before having a change of heart when he told her the card was for his mothers birthday. I said: Heres the card but in doing a good thing … Continue reading →

Thursday, September 27, 2012 Two students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo - College of Pharmacy arrived on island over the weekend for their internship at PHI Pharmacy. Mathew Mullahy and Adam Stockdale began Tuesday their six-week ambulatory or outpatient care rotation, which mainly involves doing blood sugar and blood pressure screenings and giving patients essential information for their medical and health concerns. Stockdale, who also studied at the Washington State University, became interested in the internship program after learning about it from previous interns. It's really gaining momentum, he said about the program. Stockdale looks forward to learning how to truly help people under different circumstances and sharing with them health advice and information. In his spare time, Stockdale plans to go scuba diving to check out Saipan's remarkable marine life. Mullahy, who holds a degree in Chemistry, wants to establish personal relationships with patients. On his first day of work, he already had a handful of patients with diabetes and hypertension and advised them to make simple changes in their lifestyles such as substituting white rice with brown rice and increasing their physical activity. A native of Kauai, Hawaii, Mullahy already had a chance to visit some … Continue reading →

Eyewitness News BRONX (WABC) -- Christina Torres hopes no other pharmacy has the sort of mix-up that nearly cost her 7-year-old son Adrien his life. "As a parent, the feeling that I felt at that moment and I continue to feel it, is a feeling that I would not wish on anybody," Christina Torres said. It was back in July. Little Adrien was unconscious after his mother gave him what she thought was his third dose of generic Ritalin, which she got at Felicity Pharmacy in the Bronx. At the hospital, doctors took a closer look at Adrien's medication. The bottle read methylphenidate. The name and one aspect of the pill are very similar to methadone. They each have an "m" in a box on the pill, but one is for children. The other is synthetic heroin. "The doctor comes back in the room and tells me, 'ma'am, we're sorry to tell you, but your son is overdosing on methadone," Torres said. Late today, the pharmacist at Felicity admitted it was an incredibly horrible mistake. "I agree and I admit, it's a human error," the pharmacist said. Sadly, because of the similarities between these pills, it's not the first time … Continue reading →

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, one of the largest long-term care pharmacy companies in the U.S., in partnership with Zionsville resident Steve Piepenbrink, announced the opening of Guardian Pharmacy of Indiana. The partnership also includes the acquisition of Senior Care Pharmacy of Indiana. The new pharmacy serves residents of long-term care and group homes, assisted living and skilled nursing communities throughout Indiana. According to Steve Piepenbrink, owner and president, Within Indianas long-term care market, we felt there was a need for a pharmacy that combined the best of local ownership unparalleled customer service, local decision-making and individually tailored services with the benefits and resources of a larger company. Guardian Pharmacys corporate philosophy and business model were the perfect fit. From the beginning our goals were aligned with Steves, said Kendal Forbes, executive vice president of operations and co-founder of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC. Our corporate team assists with the time consuming day-to-day business operations from payroll to rebate management, IT and the intensely complex revenue cycle so that the local owners can focus on what they do best ensuring that their communities and residents receive the best care possible. Based in Indianapolis, the 5,000 sq. ft. pharmacy opened with 13 employees … Continue reading →

WELLAND, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sep 25, 2012) - Street Pharmacy today released a new EP, "Alimony", marking a fan-driven return to the band''s reggae rock roots. Alimony is available immediately for download on the band''s Founding Fan site (http://buy.streetpharmacymusic.com) and iTunes. The new recording, Street Pharmacy''s fifth release, was inspired by overwhelming fan requests to return to its popular reggae-rock sound. The EP follows the band''s Nov. 2011 alt rock-inspired release "Divorce". Alimony also marks a return to Street Pharmacy''s original four-member lineup. After a few jams in their hometown of Welland, Ontario, it was obvious that the spark that initially ignited the band, and the friendships within it, are still there. They decided to craft some new songs that would deliver a fresh take on the band''s signature hip hop, reggae rock-infused sound. The release of Alimony caps Street Pharmacy''s Founding Fan experience - a new and unique way for fans to connect directly with the band online and in person. For just $10, fans can download a high quality digital copy of Alimony plus the band''s entire back catalogue, exclusive videos and other content. About the New EP Six new songs were recorded for Alimony over six days at … Continue reading →

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Sept.24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA), a leading health care service company focused on the alternate sitehealth care provider marketplace, today announces that Erik Halstrom has joined MHA as Vice President of Specialty Pharmacy Solutions. Erik will be responsible for leading the ongoing expansion of the MHA specialty product portfolio. Erik will also continue the development of additional adherence and persistency programs along with clinical and reimbursement services to address the needs of MHA members and specialty pharmaceutical partners in the evolving specialty pharmacy space. A pharmaceutical industry veteran, Erik has over 22 years of healthcare experience working at large pharmaceutical/biotech companies and smaller healthcare companies focused on the strategic needs of pharma/biotech. Prior to joining MHA, Erik was Vice President of Business Development and a member of the management team at FFF Enterprises. Prior to FFF, Erik held a broad range of positions of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly, and subsequently Merck. His past experiences include: sales, product marketing, pharmaceutical and vaccine customer marketing, new product strategy development, institutional segment marketing, managed care contracting, specialty pharmacy and strategic distribution. Michael J. Sicilian, President of MHA commented, "We are pleased to have Erik join … Continue reading →

By Maud van Gaal and Anne-Sylvaine Chassany - 2012-09-24T14:10:11Z Advent International Corp. will offer to buy Dutch pharmacy chain Mediq NV (MEDIQ) for 775 million euros ($1 billion) in cash as it seeks to expand in the health-care distribution industry. The Boston-based leveraged buyout fund plans to make a bid of 13.25 euros a share, 53 percent more than Mediqs closing price on Sept. 21, the companies said in a statement today. Advent will pay for the takeover with debt and equity. Mediq shares rose as much as 52 percent in Amsterdam trading. Mediq, founded in 1899 and based in Utrecht, owns 226 pharmacies in the Netherlands. It sells drugs, medical devices and related care services in 15 countries including Poland, the U.S., Germany and Sweden. Private ownership will enable Mediq to make acquisitions to expand globally, and provide easier access to financing, the company said. It makes sense for Mediq to operate in a private setting, Richard Withagen, an Amsterdam-based analyst at SNS Securities, said in a note. At the current offer, we believe Advent would obtain the direct and institutional business at an attractive price, without paying anything for the pharmacy operations. Mediq rose 49 percent to 12.87 … Continue reading →

STAMFORD,Conn., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Purdue Pharma L.P. provides another tool to fight pharmacy crime through Twitter.com/RxPATROL. Pharmacy staff, law enforcement officials and loss prevention personnel can now follow updates about pharmacy robberies, burglaries and potential threats in their area and nationwide through Twitter. The tweets provide safety and security tips for pharmacy staff that may help them better protect customers and their businesses. Followers also receive notices for reward offers that are funded through Purdue's partnership with Crime Stoppers and other local anti-crime organizations. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100921/NY67262) The RxPATROL Program tracks and analyzes reports of pharmacy crime throughout the United States and posts important crime related information on its web site: http://www.rxpatrol.org. The program also issues alerts and updates via email to registered users in the pharmacy and law enforcement communities. However, since many pharmacists do not have Internet access during work hours, but do have access to cell phones, RxPATROL is now using Twitter to instantly deliver pharmacy crime updates to followers via their cell phones. "Pharmacy crime is a problem in many communities," said RxPATROL Program Analyst, Captain Richard Conklin. "RxPATROL is using new communication vehicles to help pharmacy staff and law enforcement fight pharmacy crime." Conklin … Continue reading →