- Walgreens Store Sales Seen as Hurdle for Rite Aid Approval (bloomberg.com)
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.’s deal to acquire Rite Aid Corp. is expected to draw antitrust scrutiny not only because the company would grow to 12,700 locations, but because of what goes on behind the scenes with drug payments…Federal Trade Commission…will look closely at whether the merging of the No. 1 and No. 3 pharmacy chains in the U.S. will lead to higher prices for prescription drugs...the FTC will probably review the approximately $9.4 billion deal market-by-market instead of on a national basis, since CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Rite Aid together control only about half of the U.S. retail pharmacy market...The rest is held by independent stores, smaller chains and mail-order companies. Walgreens is likely to sell or shutter some stores...
- How Pharmacists Can Best Leverage Bodimetrics in Their Practice (pharmacytimes.com)
Neil Friedman, COO of Bodimetrics, explains how pharmacists can best leverage the Bodimetrics Performance Monitor technology in their day-to-day practice.
- Walgreens Said to Near Deal for Rite Aid (nytimes.com)Walgreens-Rite Aid Deal Fits Stefano Pessina's Plan Under Obamacare's Squeeze (forbes.com)Why Walgreens Is Close to Spending Billions to Gobble Up Rite Aid (thestreet.com)
Rite Aid had a market value of about $6.4 billion before news reports of merger talks...Walgreens Boots Allianceis near a deal to buy Rite Aid....potentially uniting two of the country’s biggest drugstore chains…meaning a takeover could be worth more than $8 billion after a likely premium from Walgreens. Rite Aid also has $7.4 billion of debt…would create a new pharmacy giant with heightened influence with drug makers, pharmacy benefit managers and others in the health care industry.
- Rite Aid, Rx orgs make case for expanded MTM (drugstorenews.com)
...House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health convened a hearing called "Examining Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management Program."...aimed at figuring out the best ways to strengthen MTM model as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid roll out an overhaul… Rite Aid’s director of field clinical services… spoke in favor of expanding MTM…and highlighted recent efforts...which include the introduction of a bill…the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act that would increase access to MTM for patients with such chronic conditions as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and COPD…given community pharmacist’s unique role as an easily accessible healthcare provider, they could be at the center of the expansion of MTM programs.
- Benefits of E-Prescribing Over Traditional Prescriptions (pharmacytimes.com)
Ken Whittemore Jr, Surescript's senior vice president of professional and regulatory affairs, discusses some of the ways in which e-prescribing trumps traditional prescriptions. (video)
- NACDS makes push for RxIMPACT Pharmacy Advocacy LinkedIn group (drugstorenews.com)
Expecting a flurry of legislative activity in Congress in the weeks ahead, and a highly aggressive 2016 election season, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is making a major push for its NACDS RxIMPACT Pharmacy Advocates group on LinkedIn…On Wednesday, the group had 934 members, with a goal to reach 2,500 by Nov. 3. The purpose of the group is to connect grassroots pharmacy advocates from across the country, and grow its ranks to be poised for action when critical issues arise in Congress, the White House or in the states…“Engagement by pharmacy advocates breathes life into the policy making process. As a constituent, when you meld care stories with issue positions you really personify the impact of legislation. That type of powerful communication can be a game-changer for pharmacy”...
- A practical guide for pharmacists to establish a transitions of care program in an outpatient setting (japha.org)
Abstract
Objectives To improve understanding of the logistics of transitions of care (TOC) clinics and to provide guidance to pharmacists in developing and implementing a new TOC clinic or improving an existing one.
Setting Outpatient TOC clinic within an ambulatory care practice.
Practice description Two general internal medicine practices collaborated with a university health system to create an interdisciplinary TOC clinic to improve quality and continuity of patient care. The clinic accommodates any patients of the practice who are not able to get an appointment with their primary care physician within 1 to 2 weeks of discharge from any hospital. Physician residents, an attending physician, a clinical pharmacist, a nurse, medical assistants, and a social worker (if necessary) are involved in the patient's care during the transition process.
Practice innovation Pharmacists can play a vital role in developing and implementing a TOC clinic or enhancing a current one. There are many logistical components to consider in developing a clinic, and this article provides guidance in the various steps required in creating a clinic, including support and coordination, personnel, workflow, operations, reimbursement, marketing, metrics, and measures.
Conclusion This tool may help pharmacists implement or enhance an outpatient TOC clinic to improve patient care, quality, and continuity.
(full text req. subscrip.)
- Pharmacy Track-and-Trace Compliance Deadline Again Delayed by FDA (pharmacytimes.com)Are you ready for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act? (fda.gov)
FDA has once again delayed its enforcement of product tracing requirements for pharmacies under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act...Although these track-and-trace requirements took effect on July 1, 2015, the FDA said it would not enforce the product tracing obligations for pharmacies until November 1, 2015, which it has now extended to March (March 1,2016)…FDA granted this latest extension because “some dispensers—primarily smaller, independent pharmacies and health systems—have expressed that they need additional time,” …In the meantime, pharmacies that do not capture and maintain product tracing information, or accept prescription drugs without product tracing information prior to or during a transaction, will not be penalized…this compliance policy does not extend to other requirements for dispensers under the DSCSA, which include verification related to suspect and illegitimate product (including quarantine, investigation, notification, and record keeping) and engaging in transactions only with authorized trading partners.
- Pharmacy Podcast – Relaunching Medication Therapy Management (pharmacypodcast.com)
Blair Green Thielemier, PharmD…specializes in marketing and implementing new clinical services, such as Medication Therapy Management, in community retail pharmacies. Blair helps to identify opportunities for clinical services, increase workflow efficiency and train pharmacy staff members to offer these services in a sustainable, systematized way…Part D Enhanced Medication Therapy Management model will test methods of optimizing medication use and improving care coordination among Medicare Part D beneficiaries in hopes of finding the most effective ways to attain the objectives of MTM programs. CMS is granting basic, stand-alone prescription drug plans the flexibility to design enhanced MTM programs that include interventions beyond the traditional approach. (podcast 29:19)
- Pharmacists Bringing Patient Care Services to Capitol Hill – October 28 (pharmacist.com)
As part of its advocacy and community outreach efforts during American Pharmacists Month, the American Pharmacists Association is partnering with the co-chairs of the House Community Pharmacy Caucus, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and Walgreens to host the 3rd Annual Capitol Hill Health Fair on October 28. Flu shots and health screenings, including bone density, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body composition will be available to members of Congress, staff, and the general public in the Rayburn Foyer in the Rayburn House Office Building from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Pharmacists from Walgreens and student pharmacists from:
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
- Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy
- Howard University College of Pharmacy
- Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy