Category Archives: Pharmacy

Federal health officials confirmed 33 cases of a rare fungal eye infection across seven states on Thursday, stemming from products mixed in a Florida pharmacy that also mixed supplements that killed 21 elite polo horses in 2009. The patients had all undergone some type of eye procedure, including surgery or injections. Twenty-three suffered some degree of vision loss and 24 patients had to undergo another eye surgery, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health officials traced many of the cases to a dye and an injection including triamcinolone and other products from Franck's Compounding Lab in Ocala. The Food and Drug Administration tested unopened bottles and unused syringes of the dye collected, finding multiple bacterial and fungal species. California health officials first alerted the CDC after nine patients developed the eye infection in March. Franck's recalled dye lots that same month. A single lot of triamcinolone was recalled on Mar. 31. CDC officials said the investigation to identify the root cause is ongoing and warned doctors and patients to stay away from "compounded products labeled as sterile from Franck's," according to the report. The pharmacy has not recalled or halted production of other sterile … Continue reading →

by RAD BERKY / NewsChannel 36 Staff WCNC.com Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:13 AM Updated today at 9:00 AM GASTONIA, N.C. -- A Gastonia family told NewsChannel 36 that a local pharmacy mixed up a prescription for their son, and the results could have been potentially deadly. The Rite Aid store on West Franklin Boulevard had been the pharmacy of choice for the Leigh family--until last Friday. "I was really mad. I had set myself up for jail time, to be honest with you, because I was really that mad," said Kelly Leigh Tuesday afternoon. Leigh said she was afraid for what might have happened to her son, Logan. Logan is a month shy of seven and suffers from a rare form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He takes shots of a drug called Embrel to help control it. But instead of a box of pre-dosed shots, when Leigh went into the Rite Aid last Friday, she said she was handed a box containing what appeared to be flex pens or eppy pens. Here is the original post: Parents say pharmacy mix-up could have seriously harmed child … Continue reading →

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is said to have blacklisted 37 colleges in the State for making excess admissions in violation of the PCI norms and with the pretext that the AICTE has permitted them so. The PCI central council meeting held in New Delhi recently is said to have taken the decision as some colleges have admitted 200 students though the original sanctioned strength is only 60. As per the PCI norms, the maximum strength can go up to 100 if the colleges are more than four years old while it has to be 60 for colleges established in the last four years. K. Ramdass, general secretary of the A.P. Pharmacy Colleges Association, has said that PCI president B. Suresh will be meeting Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on May 9 along with the managements of pharmacy colleges to discuss the issue of excess admissions. He is also likely to discuss other issues with regard to pharmacy education in the State. The PCI and AICTE have been at loggerheads over the authority on pharmacy education in the country. While the PCI claims that it should decide on admissions and administrative aspects of pharmacy education, the AICTE maintains … Continue reading →

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Wellfount Pharmacy will be exhibiting Talyst's InSite Remote Dispensing technology at the annual Ohio Health Care Association (OCHA) and Ohio Centers for Assisted Living (OCAL) conference in Columbus, Ohio. OCHA and OCAL will host nearly 2,000 long-term care providers and 300 vendors at one of the largest gatherings of long-term care professionals in the country. InSite Remote Dispensing dispenses medications directly at the facility 24/7. Its accurate automated technology can quickly dispense pharmacist-approved medications at the facility before each medication pass or on-demand to facilitate late admits, STAT orders, first doses, and PRNs. "We have been a Talyst customer for over 3 years," said Paul Leamon, Chief Executive Officer and President at Wellfount."Their cutting-edge technology has helped us provide the best service to our long-term care facilities." "Talyst works closely with our customers to ensure our remote dispensing technology continually meets their needs," said Carla Corkern, Chief Executive Officer at Talyst. "Wellfount is a great example of a pharmacy utilizing technology to take long-term care to the next level." OCHA will be hosted at the Greater Columbus Convention Center from April 30 May 2. Wellfount will be exhibiting at booth #930 and more information … Continue reading →

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy introduced an updated mobile app that allows shoppers to digitally store their ExtraCare card in their smartphone, eliminating the need to carry an ExtraCare card when shopping. The CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare Rewards Program is the largest retail rewards program with more than 69 million active cardholders, and the redesigned and updated CVS mobile app now allows members to simply scan the barcode on the back of their card or type in their account number manually. After the barcode is captured, customers' smartphones will work just like ExtraCare cards at the register. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/NE50800LOGO ) Available as a free download from Apple's App Store or through Google Play, the CVS app also offers prescription management, mobile shopping, store locating services and access to the CVS/pharmacy weekly circular. "During the past few months, we've significantly expanded the mobile options available to our digitally-minded customers with the goal of creating the most personalized and accessible shopping experience," said Rob Price, senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer for CVS/pharmacy. "ExtraCare members can use the new CVS mobile app to easily store their ExtraCare cards and can also have full access to their ExtraCare accounts … Continue reading →

Staff Writer North Augustas Parks Pharmacy collected almost 100 pounds of medication Saturday during its first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. SARA CALDWELL/STAFF Officer Travis Smith checks a bag of prescription medicine at the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day drop off at Parks Pharmacy in North Augusta. SARA CALDWELL/STAFF Parks Phamarcy and North Augusta Public Safety participated in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday. The Drug Enforcement Administration event educates people on how to properly dispose of unused medicine. We collected medicine over 10 years old, owner Steve McElmurray said. Twice a year, the Drug Enforcement Administration puts on the event to educate people on how to properly dispose of unused medicine, pharmacist Laura Knotts said. Parks Pharmacy teamed up with North Augusta Public Safety. We want to get unused prescription drugs out of local homes, she said. When they stay in the house, there is a greater chance of misuse and abuse. Most patients who have abused prescription medicine have gotten it from a friend or family member, Knotts said. Visit link: N. Augusta pharmacy collects expired medicine as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day … Continue reading →

Speaking at the IPU's annual conference, which is being held in Galway this weekend,incoming President Rory O'Donnell said the latest example is the shortage of Eltroxin, a drug used to treat thyroid problems. Mr O'Donnell says in many cases pharmacists typically receive little or no warning that these medicines are going out of stock, and there is often little information on when these stocks will be replenished. He called on the Department of Health to ensure that an adequate supply of vital medicines is constantly available to minimise threats to patient safety. In response the Department of Health said medicine shortages can occur at times and accepted that there was a shortage of Eltroxin at the moment. It said "considerable work is currently ongoing, involving all the relevant parties, and it is hoped that this action will alleviate the supply shortage in the very near future." The department said it; along with the Irish Medicines Board, the manufacturers of drugs, wholesalers and the pharmacies themselves are all responsible for "securing a stable supply of medicines from a globalised market". Link: Irish Pharmacy Union in medicines warning … Continue reading →

Home News Local Loading Published: 4/27/2012 - Updated: 1 day ago BLADE STAFF Blade staff writer Rose Russell has received a print media award for excellence in reporting medication and pharmacy issues from the Ohio Pharmacists Association. The award was presented during the Ohio Pharmacists Association's 134th annual conference, held last weekend at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Ms. Russell was nominated for the award by Dr. Curtis Black, professor emeritus at the University of Toledo college of pharmacy, for her story "Packaging results -- Multi-dose adherence pharmacy program improves patient outcomes." The Blade story, published on Jan. 23, was about a local pharmacist's drive to help patients take prescribed medications correctly. The Akron Beacon Journal's Cheryl Powell also received a print media award during the association's luncheon. Among others honored were Martin Davis of Sylvania, the former owner of the Pharmacy Counter, who was presented the association's Beal Award for his widespread contributions to pharmacy and health care. Mimi Hart, the owner of Hart Pharmacy in Cincinnati, was the first woman to receive the Bowl of Hygeia Award, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, a pharmaceutical firm, for her work in her community. Continued here: Pharmacy group honors Blade writer … Continue reading →

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In another industry first for pharmacy customers, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG - News) (NASDAQ: WAG - News) today launched a new online Find Your Pharmacist tool that allows customers to select a pharmacist by matching their health care needs with the areas of expertise, specialties, languages and clinical backgrounds of Walgreens pharmacists. As some of the most accessible and trusted health care professionals in thousands of communities nationwide, Walgreens pharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide a range of services beyond medication dispensing and counseling. Many of these are highlighted within search feature profiles and include medication adherence, immunizations, diabetes management, childrens health, wellness education, medication side effects, HIV care and more. While location historically has been a leading factor for selecting a pharmacy or pharmacist for prescription needs, new research by Walgreens shows clinical training and areas of expertise are also among respondents main reasons for selecting a pharmacy or pharmacist. In fact, nearly 70 percent of respondents would consider a different location or pharmacist if the pharmacist was trained in specific areas that suit their needs. This is another way we are advancing community pharmacy by helping people connect on a more meaningful level with Walgreens pharmacists … Continue reading →

PEPPERELL -- Pepperell police units were dispatched to a robbery in progress around 6:50 p.m. Monday evening. Sgt. Nick Parker and Officers Jared Carruba and Stephen Mulkerin responded to the Pepperell Family Pharmacy at 74 Main St. Descriptions of a suspect threatening pharmacy staff with a hammer were relayed to the officers by Dispatcher Jeff Cormier. According to Police Chief David Scott, witnesses in the pharmacy and nearby area advised Officer Carruba that the lone suspect fled on foot and he was checking the area when he spotted the subject running and proceeded to pursue. "Officer Carrubba was smart getting out of his cruiser and speaking with people in the area while the other officers checked the area in their cruisers," Scott said. "Those of us who know Officer Carrubba know he had no problem keeping pace with the suspect on foot." Scott said Carrubba has been involved "in some high profile cases and always does a great job." Suspect Bryan Thorpe, 27, of 428 Main St. in Townsend, was apprehended after the short foot chase. He was charged with a subsequent offense of armed and masked robbery, larceny from a building, threat to commit a crime, larceny of a … Continue reading →