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Renown Health announced the completion of two major capital investment projects. Both are focused on patient care areas…Phase one of two planned renovations for the Renown Rehabilitation Hospital just wrapped up with the completion of 33 newly refurbished patient suites. The $1.55M investment is the first of two major investments planned for the facility…Also announced was the recent completion of a $3.39M renovation of 24 Labor and Delivery Suites. This investment follows a $3.45M renovation of three L&D operating rooms last year.

Asia's largest vaccinemaker just made a play that could affect the race for a vaccine protecting against dengue fever,..Serum Institute of India announced…that it's seeking fast-track approval to launch a dengue treatment in India for which it purchased local rights from U.S. biotech Visterra earlier this month…If successful, the company could be the first globally to launch a drug for the mosquito-borne illness,..a development with potential implications in the ongoing dengue vaccine race between Sanofi, Takeda, and others.

Munich Re to offer coverage for plants closed for regulatory issues…If a pharma plant closes because of an explosion or a natural disaster, well there is business interruption insurance for that. But if it closes to deal with issues after the FDA issues a Form 483 or a warning letter, then the drugmaker is on the hook for all of the costs. Now a couple of insurance companies say they will offer something to soften such blows…Munich Re, the world's largest reinsurer, says it will insure drugmakers against regulatory actions by the "FDA and its international counterparts" that could cause them to suspend manufacturing...

AmerisourceBergen (ABC) announced a new $2.4 billion share repurchase program. This new program brings ABC’s total repurchases to more than $4 billion in less than two years…ABC’s multi-faceted deal with Walgreen Boots Alliance (WBA) is motivating these transactions…Under one crucial element of the deal, Walgreens Boots Alliance has the right to acquire up to a 23% ownership stake in ABC…they also have an option to buy an additional 5% …The agreement prevents WBA from owning more than 30% of ABC. Walgreens Boots Alliance will have the opportunity to add two directors to ABC’s board of directors… Is this a good deal?...We believe WBA may have cut the better deal initially, but ABC has been unusually shrewd with its hedging strategies.

According to the most recent FDA Enforcement Report, Mutual Pharmaceutical, a division of Sun Pharmaceutical, is recalling 187,106 bottles of felodipine extended-release blood pressure tablets and 29,660 bottles of the antidepressant imipramine because the varnish is leaching benzophenone… during long-term stability testing, it found trace amounts of benzophenone in the drugs, which it said is unlikely to cause any adverse effects.

..HIV activists have signed onto Janssen's ongoing "Wisdom" campaign, headlining a share-your-story campaign for people living with the disease. The Johnson & Johnson unit will award up to $20,000 in charitable donations as part of the effort, which ties in the company's latest HIV brand, Prezcobix (darunavir and cobicistat)… Guy Anthony, Maria Mejia and Josh Robbins--all well-known activists for HIV/AIDS awareness and education--will write, videotape and post their wisdom on www.shareyourwisdom.com, and serve as advisors as the "Your Story. Your HIV Wisdom." campaign progresses.

Kristen L. Marjama, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, clinical educator with Healthcare Clinic at Walgreens in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, discusses counseling points for different asthma medication classes (video)

PharmTalk is a special production from the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy that features Keith and Kevin Boesen.

What’s medication therapy management? Who does it serve? This center is staffed with pharmacists and others who help Medicare enrollees and others with their many medications.

Incident is one of at least seven reported at area pharmacies in 24 hours, all involving suspects 18 or younger…At least seven reported robberies or attempted robberies at Indianapolis-area pharmacies in the past 24 hours involved suspects who were 18 or younger, according to police reports…In a robbery attempt at a Northeastside Walgreens, a 12-year-old boy was arrested….Indiana battles No. 1 rank in pharmacy robberies…

A Facebook page can be a useful tool for cultivating patient loyalty, promoting pharmacy services, and educating patients. Pharmacists who want to increase engagement on their pharmacy’s Facebook page should follow these tips:

1. Maintain a Steady Flow of Content
2. Use Photos and Call to Actions
3. Respond to Questions or Comments
4. Track Your Facebook Analytics
5. Target Your Content
6. Pay for More Eyeballs
7. Refrain from Posting Negative Content