MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'caremark'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:21:48 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107892&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fk0gsqWimymU%2F A bill in New York to prohibit health insurers from requiring their customers use mail-order pharmacies was criticized by the Federal Trade Commission as a well-intentioned effort that, nonetheless, could have an anti-competitive outcome, according to a letter written by the agency to one of the sponsors of the legislation. The bill has passed both the state senate and assembly, and awaits a signature from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. In explaining its position, the FTC acknowledged that the bill (which you can read here) was designed to increase consumer choice and limit the ability of pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, from penalizing consumers who do not purchase their meds from mail-order pharmacies. You may recall that the largest PBMs, including CVS/Caremark, Express Scripts and ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107892 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:09:09 +0100 5107892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953363&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FFwKeDNIjZs4%2F Top of the morning to you. A shiny day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we are hustling assorted short people off to their last moments at the local school houses. This is cause for celebration. So please join us for a cup or two of stimulation. And we hope you will check out our 2 pm EDT webinar today on Social Media. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits from around the big, old world. Have a great day… European Union Approves Lilly Bydureon Diabetes Drug (Associated Press) Dentsply In Talks To Buy AstraZeneca Unit (Reuters) EMA Proposes Waiving Inspections Of US Plants Sometimes (InPharma Technologist) Calpers Taps CVS/Caremark To Manage Benefits (San Francisco Business Times) Abbott Hit By $4M Diagnostic Theft In Kentucky (Securing Pharma) Roche And Curis Ski... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953363 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:04:52 +0100 4953363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945194&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FR9N3q5e2SFU%2F In a preliminary vote, the Maine legislature yesterday moved to repeal a 2003 law that was created to protect consumers from rising drug prices and prevent fraud by pharmacy benefit managers. The vote was prompted by industry lobbying over charges that transparency requirements had discouraged PBMs from doing business in the state, which was resulting in less competition and higher drug costs. The controversial law, which is called the Unfair Prescription Drug Practices Act, prevents PBMs from switching patients to more expensive drugs while also protecting consumers from co-payments when the actual drug price is cheaper. And PBMs are also required to pay independent pharmacies promptly and negotiate prices in good faith (here is the 2003 law and the bill to repeal the law). Those who foug... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945194 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:37:52 +0100 4945194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724262&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FeHY6DN5Y0og%2F Hard to believe, yes? But even we take a break now and then. While we have our laptop and Blackberry with us and will, periodically, check on interesting developments, regular posting will not occur this week. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we promised Mrs. Pharmalot and The Short People (that famous, non-existent ’60’s group) that we would focus on their desires. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy any holidays that you may celebrate. Have a great time, everyone, and see you in a few days… Synthes Confirms Aquisition Talks With Johnson & Johnson (Bloomberg News) Will Amgen Declare A Dividend On Thursday? (Reuters) EU Proceeds With Plan To Cut Patent Costs By 80 Percent (Pharma Times) Merck Scientist Sees Potential HIV Vaccine As Distant Goal (Dow Jones) FDA Warns Patients Ove... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724262 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:00:40 +0100 4724262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4715014&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpYq3k6eZCQ4%2F Four years after the merger between the CVS drugstore chain and the Caremark pharmacy benefits manager, which has spurred numerous investigations and lawsuits over anticompetitive concerns, a handful of consumer groups have written the US Federal Trade Commission to ask the agency to break up the company. Why? The groups charge CVS Caremark limits choice through various programs, the merger has given CVS unfair advantage over other retailers, patients are steered toward CVS and confidential patient information is improperly shared. Such concerns have already prompted investigations by the FTC and attorneys general of 24 states. CVS Caremark has previously said it is cooperating with the probes. “There is strong evidence that the CVS Caremark merger has harmed consumers,” says the lett... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4715014 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:18:08 +0100 4715014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119716&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F_uKvTFMX99I%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another day beckons. And this is a special one here on the Pharmalot corporate campus as the shortest of short people celebrates a birthday. An especially large cup of stimulation is in order…among other things. While we fuss, please enjoy these items and, of course, we hope your weekend is wonderful. Whether you pick a pumpkin, rake some leaves, read a book or enjoy a walk, do enjoy yourselves. See you soon… Glaxo Licenses Amicus Therapeutics’ Fabry Drug (Reuters) Sanofi-Aventis Buys A Chinese OTC Maker (Associated Press) Glaxo Cuts Prices In Indonesia By Up To 50 Percent (Reuters) Hepatitis C Is Fertile Field For Blockbusters (The Wall Street Journal) Supreme Court To Review Roche And Stanford Dispute Today (The Tech) AstraZeneca And Daiichi Sign $... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119716 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:35:14 +0100 4119716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013543&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9Ty_fwAWoHM%2F The 2007 merger between CVS, the big retailer, and Caremark, the big pharmacy benefits manager, has Herb Kohl concerned. The Wisconsin Democrat, who chairs the US Senate Special Committee On Aging, has received reports from seniors that the PBM may be steering seniors to CVS retail or mail-order pharmacies. The seniors are allegedly being promised lower out-of-pocket costs, but instead are encountering higher co-pays and this is prompting higher charges to the Medicare Part D plan. And this is an issue for Kohl, because his committee does not like to see Medicare Part D or seniors charged more than they should be for meds. And so Kohl, who has also fielded complaints that CVS Caremark is also denying claims to long-term care residents enrolled in its Maintenance Choice program, has fired o... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013543 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:59:28 +0100 4013543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907785&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FnOh-g8JZPUg%2F A sunny day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where the mascots are happily frollicking among the weeds. As for us, we are brewing the mandatory cup of stimulation. What about you? Heading off toward your own campus? Prepping for those meetings and deadlines? Whatever you encounter, we hope your day goes well. One housekeeping note: we will break early today to shuffle one of the short people off to an institution of higher learning. See you soon… Advanced Melanoma Treatment Shrinks Tumors: Study (Reuters) Cephalon CEO Takes A Medical Leave Of Absence (Bloomberg News) Drugmakers Experiment With Design (The Financial Times) Celgene Has Been Plotting Revlimid Challenge (The Wall Street Journal) CVS/Caremark Closes Mail-Order Facility And Cuts 400 Jobs (The Birmingham... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907785 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:32:58 +0100 3907785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440811&cid=t_145321_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2010%2F04%2F06%2F1438%2F I received the following note from MATT through the recently updated and added CONTACT FORM. Beneath that is my response. On April 5, 2010 at 6:33 PM Matt wrote: > To: TheAngriestPharmacist > > From: > Matt > fuzimatt@yahoo.com > > Title: > Technician > > I have read the rules and promise to not be a dick. > option-selected > Message: > So the other day were about to fill a woman’s refills like we usually > do. However, as soon as we submitted it we got the rejection refill no > longer covered. We’ve seen it before and it usually means mail order. > This time was different. She has coverage through CVS/Caremark so > we call them and ask what’s up. They tell us she needs to now visit > the CVS pharmacy 15 minutes away f... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440811 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:33:44 +0100 3440811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408636&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FFXDVbCJL-Tg%2F And so, another work week will soon draw to a close. We look forward to spending time with one of our not-so-short people and taking the official Pharmalot mascot for a long walk in the woods. Of course, there are also errands to run. What about you? Something special planned? While you ponder, here are a few items to help with those last-minute planning sessions today. Whatever the weekend brings, we hope you enjoy. See you soon… More States Join CVS/Caremark Task Force Probe (Bloomberg News) AstraZeneca Freezes Salaries For CEO, Other Execs (Dow Jones) EU Plans Recall Of Indian-Made Generic Plavix (Reuters) US Charges Pair For Illegally Importing Diet Meds (Wall Street Journal) Pfizer Loses Lipitor Patent Suits In South Korea (Bloomberg News) photo thx to tipiro on Flickr creative ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408636 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:19:57 +0100 3408636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403892&cid=t_145321_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2010%2F03%2F24%2Fstupid-rules-written-by-stupid-people-to-punish-the-intelligent%2F In case you haven’t been f.ed in the ass by this one by your state’s controlled drug agency on this one yet, go ahead and get out the vaseline and bend over. My state’s “DEA” has announced their intentions of a new way to throw a wrench in pharmacy operations once again. As of April 1st, pharmacies can no longer add, edit, modify, change, or even WRITE on the face of a C-II prescription in my state. THE HELL YOU SAY! In the past, pharmacies could modify a few things, even on a C-II prescription. The way I remembered it was, “NAME-NAME-NAME.” We could NOT change (or add) the NAME of the patient, NAME of the drug, or NAME of the doctor. All other things could be added of omitted or edited of incorrect. This, in my opinion, is the best policy. It give... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403892 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:53:49 +0100 3403892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359212&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1uEtOjqcfck%2F In his latest attempt to probe the pharmaceutical industry, US Senator Chuck Grassley has written two big pharmacy benefit managers, as well as a trade group, asking them to provide information about their financial relationships with drugmakers. This week, he sent letters to Express Scripts, CVS Caremark and the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (click on name to see letters). In explaining his action, Grassley - who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee - wrote that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended in a report last year that Congress should require drugmakers to report their financial relationships with pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies, health plans, and others, but not rebates or discounts (look here). And so he asks for det... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359212 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:05:05 +0100 3359212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251397&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpAAr3lClc8I%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. Hope your weekend was pleasant and rewarding. Now, though, the routine returns and, of course, that means those deadlines and meetings. So to help you along, we have uncovered a few nuggets of interest. And of course, we also encourage to grab a cup of something stimulating. We are about to do so. Meanwhile, have a good day… Andrew Witty Discusses His Job And Goals (The Telegraph) Sanofi To Decide On Reviving Merck Venture (Dow Jones) CVS Caremark Posts Higher Quarterly Profit (Reuters) Coffee is courtesy of chichcacha flickr creative commons (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251397 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:34:39 +0100 3251397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153627&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F10sCFWCMz-w%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is something we hope to make a regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that Dan Schultz, a former director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, has joined Greenleaf Health, a consulting firm, as senior vice president, medical devices and combo products. He’s based... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153627 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:12:12 +0100 3153627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124669&cid=t_145321_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fthis-year-at-diabetesmine-2009.html Once again it’s time to reflect on what marked the year here at DiabetesMine.com.  2009 was surely eventful, both for this blog and for me personally.  Never a dull a moment when you’re a busy D-blogger, Health 2.0 advocate, and mother of three, I guess.  Here’s a list of some key milestones that stand out [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124669 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:57:06 +0100 3124669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111604&cid=t_145321_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fcongratulations-generation-health-nice_153.html Is it any surprise that insurance companies have no clue what the hell is going on with genetic testing?You see, there are a set of ICD9 codes that can mean 2C19 testing or hepatitis pcr........The coding system doesn't allow the companies to run their algorithms accurately...... Insurers have no clue which is which and they are getting banged out for these tests.Don't believe me, just take a look at what United has done with their BRCA testing (which BTW has their own codes) "By instituting a prior notification policy and placing Myriad in charge of determining which patients get tested, United Healthcare can monitor more closely which of its policy holders are receiving testing on BRACAnalysis." Add in the SGO guidelines which suggest a 5% BRCA carrier risk may be worthwhile and you can ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111604 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:43:00 +0100 3111604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967534&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F0b02OK25ACY%2F After a long and busy week, a little downtime is in order. What will you be doing this weekend? The pumpkin patches are likely empty, so perhaps raking leaves is the thing to do - the exercise can’t hurt and leaf blowers, after all, are noisy. Or perhaps a long walk with the dog? Maybe toss a football? Our agenda includes another installment in the nostalgic ‘See-Them-Before-They-Die’ concert series. Meanwhile, a few more deadlines and what-not beckon. So here you go, and enjoy, everyone… Glaxo Gets WHO Approval For Pneumoccocal Vaccine (Reuters) Genmab Cuts 300 Jobs Amid Reorganization (Dow Jones) CVS Is Being Investigated By The FTC (Associated Press) J&J Patent Victory Over Abbott Labs Is Upheld (Bloomberg) Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons Joe S (S... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967534 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:40:08 +0100 2967534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904949&cid=t_145321_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Findianapolis-star-reports-on-cvs.html For most of us, blogging is a labor of love, and our payment is the possibility of having a positive impact in the world. So it was gratifying to see that the Indianapolis Star published this story prompted by my prior post about how Eli Lilly is paying CVS Caremark to sell doctors on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia. Reporter John Russell did an excellent investigation, finding that the practice is more widespread than I realized. For example, he interviewed Dr. Matthew Mintz, an internist in Washington, D.C., who said he too had received a deceptive pharmacy drug ad, this one funded by Merck and encouraging Dr. Mintz to switch one of his diabetes patients from a different company's drug to Merck's Januvia.The Star's Russell also revealed that Lilly had used the pharmacy-whore technique to sell ... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904949 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0100 2904949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2905110&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F96vVL2ciNtQ%2F Recent mailings by CVS Caremark to doctors about Lilly’s Cymbalta antidepressant are causing a stir - and embarassing Eli Lilly. At issue is the notion that the big pharmacy chain and benefits manager is making available info about patients with - in this case, fibromyalgia - so that the drugmaker can target docs who may be inclined to prescribe the pill for this other indication. The practice, however, has stunned some consumer advocates who says it’s really a paid promotion disguised as a professional mailing. “This kind of drug marketing should simply be forbidden,” Steve Findlay, senior health policy analyst at Consumers Union, tells The Indianapolis Star. “It does not fully inform doctors about drug treatment choices.” Eleanor Kinney, co-director of... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2905110 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:21:13 +0100 2905110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862577&cid=t_145321_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Feli-lilly-hires-cvs-caremark-to.html Eli Lilly has discovered a new advertising strategy: your pharmacy. Check out this package of material I just received from CVS Caremark, a prescription benefit plan associated with CVS pharmacy. Pure and simply, it is an advertisement for Cymbalta, Eli Lilly's antidepressant which was recently approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. But it doesn't look like an ad. It looks like a letter from a pharmacy that is deeply concerned that my fibromyalgia patients receive the best treatment. Here's how the letter starts: Dear Doctor:CVS Caremark administers the prescription benefit plan for one or more of your patients. We are committed to providing health care professionals with information about drug therapy. As part of this commitment, we are providing you with this issue of RXViewpoints�... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862577 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:54:00 +0100 2862577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442500&cid=t_145321_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fshout-out-against-insurers-cost-cutting-skimping-on-insulin-packs.html Does your insulin always come packed carefully in ice? Or perhaps not anymore? Medical insurers, notably CVS/Caremark, are cutting costs by skimping on packaging used to keep insulin safe during shipping. And a bunch of PWDs are mad as hell about it. T1 writer and advocate Riva Greenberg wrote to me not long ago saying: “What they [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442500 Thu, 28 May 2009 13:36:20 +0100 2442500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1961219&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F452890279%2F A group of labor unions is launching a campaign that accuses CVS Caremark of violating patient privacy and improperly pushing docs to prescribe Merck’s expensive Januvia diabetes pill, The Wall Street Journal writes. Change to Win, a group of unions that represents about six million workers, said CVS’s pharmacy benefits manager has been urging docs by way of a letter to add Januvia to specific patients’ treatments. The letter, obtained by the union group, said CVS identified the diabetes patients through a review of prescription-drug claims processed by its Caremark unit. A line at the bottom of the letter says Merck paid for the mailing. Neither Merck nor CVS would say how much Merck paid, and the drugmaker also declined to say whether the mailing boosted Januvia sales, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1961219 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:41:02 +0100 1961219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1704776&cid=t_145321_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fnew-healthcare-plans-part-2.html A while back, I wrote about how my company had decided to change healthcare providers. While I wasn't exactly jumping for joy over that decision, I didn't have any choice in the matter, and tried to make the best of it, viewing it as an opportunity to make some changes I had long put on the back burner.One immediate benefit I could see (a silver lining of sorts) was the fact that Oxford/United Healthcare had recently switched lab providers from Quest to LabCorp, and LabCorp had almost no locations in the NYC area. LabCorp quickly signed a deal with New York City's largest pharmacy chain, Duane Reade, but since I work in the suburbs and LabCorp had only a few suburban locations at the time of the switch, until they got around to adding facilities, getting my bloodwork done had grown to be, ... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704776 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:25:00 +0100 1704776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561300&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F323984056%2F The deal is expected to accelerate the move toward paperless prescribing, which has so far been embraced by only a fraction of physicians. That’s because one of the networks is operated by big pharmacy benefits managers - Medco Health, CVS Caremark and Express Scripts - and the other by drugstore chains such as Walgreen, Rite Aid and Wal-Mart Stores. Right now, about 35,000, or less than 10 percent of docs, prescribe drugs electronically, and roughly 25 million of the 4 billion prescriptions dispensed annually were sent electronically. The merged network believes the number of e-prescriptions could rise to more than 100 million this year, according to Rick Ratliff, acting ceo of SureScripts, one of the two networks. Health insurers, business groups and the federal government have be... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1561300 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:44:05 +0100 1561300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522242&cid=t_145321_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fnew-healthcare-plans-and-our.html Sooner or later, I suspect that almost everyone is impacted by the rising cost of healthcare. The U.S. has an estimated 47 million uninsured, and a large number of underinsured people. In fact, Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers recently released a 50-state survey, which revealed that insurance companies in most states are not prohibited from denying health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, refusing to pay for services needed to treat common ailments, adding huge premium surcharges for people with family histories of health problems, and yanking policies and denying payments when consumers face a rash of medical bills. The issue has grown so large that today, even Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke commented about the subject in a lengthy di... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522242 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0100 1522242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1494557&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F304641568%2F Walgreens has agreed to pay $35 million to 42 states to settle allegations that it unlawfully overcharged consumers by switching drugs in a whistleblower filed by a pharmacist, Bernard Lisitza, who has successfully brought similar charges against CVS and Omnicare in the past. (Here is the settlement agreement, the corporate integrity agreement and the Walgreens statement). According to his lawsuit, Walgreens illegally switched between tablets and capsules of generic Zantac and generic Prozac in order to charge up to 400 percent more to Medicaid. “Bernie wanted the government to know that the drug switching programs he observed were schemes to increase pharmacy profits at taxpayers’ expense,” Michael Behn, his attorney, says in a statement. “Switching medication from tablets... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494557 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:04:57 +0100 1494557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1472693&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F299338401%2F The big pharmacy benefits manager struck a deal with 28 states over charges that consumers were misled when docs were encouraged to cholesterol drugs under the guise of controlling costs. The agreement resolving a four-year investigation and follows a similar $38.5 million multistate settlement in February with Caremark, and settlement with Medco Health Solutions three years ago. “Today’s settlement completes our effort to clean up the PBM industry,” Vermont’s Attorney General Bill Sorrell says in a statement. “Now that all three of the nation’s largest PBMs are under orders from our office and the court to reform their practices, we expect that the rest of the industry will take notice and follow the requirements we have established.” Through the agreements, the states &... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1472693 Tue, 27 May 2008 21:02:26 +0100 1472693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1420663&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F283976658%2F The world’s biggest retailer will offer about 350 generic meds at the low price and, according to a statement, has also added $9 meds to treat breast cancer, menopause and hormone deficiency as part of a plan to save women more than $100 million annually. Here’s the list of drugs. The retailer, which started its $4 generic program in 2006, faces growing competition from Kmart, Walgreen, and CVS/Caremark, which are targeting Americans who lack insurance to pay for their drugs, Bloomberg News notes, adding that nearly a third of Wal-Mart’s over-the-counter drugs now sell for $4 or less. “We are trying to help our customers through tough times,” John Agwunobi, Wal-Mart’s president of health and wellness, says today on a conference call. Some elderly couple... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1420663 Mon, 05 May 2008 14:43:07 +0100 1420663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1233328&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F235254770%2F Another busy day draws to a close. At least for now. Who knows what may turn up later? Maybe another high-ranking exec will suddenly resign? Nonetheless, we will break to entertain one of the short people and check back later. We will also compile the results of our two latest unscientific polls - one concerning Fred Hassan, and the other about Andy Bonfield at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Meanwhile, these should help you keep busy….. Carl Icahn dumped his Genzyme shares, according to Xconomy.com. Regulatory filings posted today show that during the fourth quarter of 2007 the activist investor dumped all 1.5 million shares he bought in Genzyme during the third quarter. You may recall that Genzyme ceo Henry Termeer in December told Carl to go away, but the site speculates the real reason Car... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1233328 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:33:23 +0100 1233328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1010645&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F180910297%2F CVS, Rite-Aid and other large drug stores will work with smaller, independent rivals to try and stop a government generic-drug reimbursement policy that threatens profits across their industry, the Associated Press reports. The two leading trade groups for chain drug stores and community pharmacies plan to file a lawsuit on Wednesday against the agency that runs Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor. The lawsuit is a last ditch effort to block a new formula that they say will slash payments to pharmacies that provide generic drugs to 50 million low-income Americans enrolled in Medicaid. The groups charge that the new payment system, scheduled to take effect in 2008, is illegal because it does not reflect the actual cost of generic drugs. As a result, they said in a join... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1010645 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:20:51 +0100 1010645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=998820&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F178260233%2F In case you were unaware, we love coffee. And since we would like another cup, we thought this would be a good opportunity to suggest you reach for a cup yourself, or tea if you prefer, and catch up on events. Bottoms up… Perrigo And AstraZeneca Settle Prilosec Lawsuit (Yahoo/AP) Shire Earnings Beat Estimates (Yahoo/Reuters) Merck And Dynavax Enter Hepatitis B Deal (Yahoo/Reuters) Mylan Labs Posts A Higher Quarterly Profit (Yahoo/Reuters) Will J&J Stent Woes Dash Abbott’s Hopes? (Bloomberg News) AmerisourceBergen Reports Lower Quarterly Earnings (Yahoo/AP) CVS/Caremark Earnings Jump (Yahoo/AP) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=998820 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:01:26 +0100 998820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918138&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F163867011%2F After Walgreen reported that fourth-quarter net income fell 3.8 percent, shares in the big pharmacy benefit managers - Medco Health Solutions, CVS Caremark and Express Scripts - took a beating today as investors grew worried over the profits on generic drugs, such as copycat versions of Merck’s Zocor. PBMs, of course, push generics as a salve to high healthcare costs. The big retailer blamed lower generic reimbursement and higher expenses. But one analyst believes Walgreen’s financial shortfall was more of a budgeting problem rather than a generic drugs issue. He noted that the retailer appeared to increase certain discretionary expenditures in anticipation of higher profits from sales of drugs like generic Zocor. “What they’re trying to say is that they had a much ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918138 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:43:19 +0100 918138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=845904&cid=t_145321_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F152948659%2F This may not come as a surprise. After all, CVS is a huge retailer and Caremark, which is a large pharmacy benefits manager, operates a big mail-order operation. But a recent lawsuit confirms that the merger is going to make life tougher for generic drugmakers, as Adam Fein at Drug Channels points out this morning. In July, CVS filed a lawsuit against Prasco, a generic drugmaker that had a contract to supply a copycat version of Allegra to the drugstore chain. The contract, Fein notes, specified that CVS had a “Most Favored Nation” clause to guarantee that CVS paid the lowest price of any customer. But paragraph 21 states “As a result of the merger, CVS learned that, contrary the Agreement, Prasco had not, in fact, charged CVS the lowest price offered to any other customer. Instead, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=845904 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:35:07 +0100 845904