Author: Peter

Now through June 27, Bartell Drugs locations throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties (SEATTLE area)are accepting non-perishable food items to replenish local food banks in the summer months when families that normally depend on free or reduced-price school meals may struggle to provide healthy meals at home.

..... nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 17 districts, resulting in charges against 243 individuals, including 46 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $712 million in false billings....More than 44 of the defendants arrested are charged with fraud related to the Medicare prescription drug benefit program known as Part D,...

Nationally, drug overdose deaths have more than doubled in the past 14 years – resulting in 44,000 deaths per year, and half of those deaths (22,000) are related to prescription drugs. Nevada ranked fourth highest for drug overdose deaths – at a rate of 21.6 per 100,000 people.

The State of Nevada has cleared the way for state employees to receive coverage for transgender-related treatment and therapy. The Nevada Public Employees’ Benefit Program Board has removed exclusionary language from its plan.

The FDA implements REMS as a risk management plan for certain prescription drugs. Under Section 505-1 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA can approve — and patients can access — certain drugs whose risks would otherwise outweigh their benefits.

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday once again invalidated a patent held by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd on its top-selling multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone, clearing the way for the launch of a cheaper, generic version.

Like many other non-physician providers, pharmacists are taking on a more prominent role in healthcare, leading them to solidify their relationships with patients and improving outcomes. In California, a new law expanded Golden State pharmacists' authority, allowing them to provide birth control directly to patients as well as provide travel medications, lab tests and smoking-cessation medications,….

...... in partnership with international regulatory and law enforcement agencies, took action this week against more than 1,050 websites that illegally sell potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription medicines and medical devices to consumers. These actions include the issuance of regulatory warnings to the operators of offending websites and seizure of illegal medicines and medical devices worldwide.

Deaths by drug overdose have been on the rise in the United States, with a majority of states recording increases from 2009 to 2013, according to a study …..Nevada ranked fourth highest with a rate of 21.6 per 100,000 people.