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What are copay accumulator programs?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalRetail pharmacists and specialty pharmacists working in the trenches may have heard whispers about something called "copay accumulator programs." But with long lines at the register, phones ringing off the hook, 30 more flu shots to give and a jammed printer…I can understand why you haven’t had time to read up on them. I’m a front-line pharmacist myself, and I understand your dilemma. Let me take a moment to explain this issue.
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OTC pain relievers proven to be more effective than opioids in treating…
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareWith opioid misuse and abuse on the rise across the nation, it’s not surprising physicians and dentists are occupying prime seats at the table in the quest to find a viable solution for the best way to treat patients with chronic pain. A recent study conducted at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland asserts that ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are actually better at easing dental pain than opioids. These findings are supported by new research conducted with the university's School of Dental Medicine.
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Ketamine could unlock a new frontier for depression treatment
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalDepression is one of the most commonly encountered psychiatric disorders and one of the leading causes of illness in the world. Globally, depression affects more than 350 million people for all ages, which is a reason the announcement of the use of ketamine as potential treatment is providing some promise for individuals who suffer from chronic depression. Ketamine is typically recognized as a surgical anesthetic or party drug.
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As hospital profits fall, outpatient pharmacies should help
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalThe Wall Street Journal recently published a somber-sounding article sure to send shivers down the spines of hospital investors. It reported a margin decline to 8.1 percent last year, from 9.5 percent the year before. This is grim news for health systems which are already struggling to maintain their market share amid growing competition from clinics and outpatient services. Since this week is National Hospital Week, and I care deeply about the services and financial stability of the hospital systems in our country, I wanted to share some thoughts from the perspective of a pharmacist.
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In an FDA first, cannabinoid drug wins preliminary approval
Dr. Denise A. Valenti PharmaceuticalA medication containing cannabidiol, which is derived from marijuana plants, recently received preliminary approval from the Federal Drug Administration. The approval for the product, Epidiolex, was given for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. This is the first drug that is derived from the cannabis plant to have received preliminary approval by the FDA. Cannabidiol is not psychoactive and does not induce the high that those consuming plant marijuana products strive for.
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Fentanyl deaths rise as narcotics shortage continues
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareAs healthcare facilities continue to experience shortages with injectable narcotics, researchers report that synthetic opioid deaths have now outpaced prescription drug overdoses. It seems counter-intuitive — how can facilities be short, but deaths in the community continue to rise? As with much of the opioid crisis, the problem is complicated.
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Will CVS’s new Rx Savings Finder help reduce costs?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalAfter working nearly 25 years in retail and about seven years doing in-depth formulary analysis, I've learned one about prescription insurance: copays are confusing. CVS pharmacy hopes to reduce this confusion somewhat by introducing a new "Rx Savings Finder" tool to help pharmacists help their patients find a better deal.
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Healthcare and a diversifying world
Keith Carlson Healthcare AdministrationAs the 21st century matures, so too does our understanding of what diversity means in relation to the delivery of compassionate, sensitive and appropriate healthcare. The notion of diversity has expanded in recent decades, and nurses, physicians, allied health providers and institutions must keep pace with the societal changes that are continually underway.
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Can carrying naloxone help combat opioid overdose deaths?
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalAcross the United States, reports of opioid abuse and related deaths have become an all-too-common occurrence for many Americans. With death tolls continuing to rise and such a wide impact on the population, regardless of background, immediate steps must be taken to address the issue.
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Why would health insurers choose brand‑name drugs over generic?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalAn interesting illustration of retail pharmacy economics is playing out before our eyes. It is not a new thing, but it is being seen more frequently these days than in the past. Health insurance plans are starting to demand that expensive brand-name medications be dispensed instead of their approved generic. For those working in retail pharmacies, but unfamiliar with this strategy, it is often puzzling. Patients too are sometimes confused by this, as they are transitioned from a "cheap" generic back to the brand-name product.
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