PHARMACIST STEVE

The Death of  Pharmacist’s Professional Judgement In the immortal words of Korben Dallas, “I am a meat popsicle”. This answer shall suffice in response to any question concerning a pharmacist’s job responsibilities. Why? Pharmacy schools (apparently) no longer teach “professional judgement” or companies have basically policied it out of existence. The new mantra is: “Don’t […]

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Opioids under attack: Government now is on the offensive http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2017/07/13/Opioids-under-attack-Government-now-is-on-the-offensive/stories/201707310015 Two announcements from the federal government represent progress in the fight against opioids. On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration said it will require drug manufacturers to better educate physicians about the painkillers. On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced a $35 million settlement with Mallinckrodt […]

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FDA Struggles with Sizing Up Abuse-Deterrent Opioids https://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/FDAGeneral/66563 During a two-day meeting convened by the FDA, experts discussed strategies for determining whether abuse-deterrent opioids are having a real-world impact on misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Getting a handle on the issue has been a challenge, given that the available data sources and methodologies for […]

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Justice Department announces ‘largest heathcare fraud takedown in American history’ http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/justice-department-announces-largest-heathcare-fraud-takedown-in-american-history/article/2628514 The Department of Justice on Thursday announced what Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the “largest healthcare fraud takedown operation in American history.”By working with inner Justice Department offices and the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal government charged 412 defendants accused of […]

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42 U.S. Code § 1395 – Prohibition against any Federal interference https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1395?qt-us_code_temp_noupdates=3#qt-us_code_temp_noupdates Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or the manner in which medical services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any […]

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Pharmacy ‘Clawbacks’ Targeted in Latest State Law Aimed at PBMs https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-11/pharmacy-clawbacks-targeted-in-latest-state-law-aimed-at-pbms A new law in Connecticut would close a drug price loophole that’s been the subject of more than a dozen lawsuits around the U.S., taking aim at a practice by pharmacy benefit managers called pharmacy clawbacks. The law, which takes effect in January, will […]

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Senators urge lower production quotas to battle opioid epidemic http://www.wfsb.com/story/35856912/senators-urge-lower-production-quotas-to-battle-opioid-epidemic   UPDATE: The letter, which was drafted by Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, was signed by 15 other Democrats and one Independent: Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Jeanne […]

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Outrageous Massachusetts Drug Bill Would Send You to Prison and Steal Your Car—No Drugs Needed http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2017/jul/12/outrageous_massachusetts_drug_bi With the support of state law enforcement, a Massachusetts Democratic state representative has filed a drug war bill that would send violators to prison for a mandatory minimum two years (five years for a second offense) and allow police […]

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PCMA Challenges North Dakota Health Mandates that Undermine Patient Safety, Increase Prescription Drug Costs http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pcma-challenges-north-dakota-health-mandates-that-undermine-patient-safety-increase-prescription-drug-costs-300487045.html WASHINGTON, July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) has filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging two North Dakota laws that threaten patient safety and will increase prescription drug costs for the state’s employers, consumers, and […]

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http://cbs12.com/news/local/palm-beach-county-looks-into-big-pharma-new-tools-utilized-to-fight-opioid-epidemic WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Putting drug dealers behind bars with maximum penalties. On Tuesday, Governor Rick Scott held a ceremonial bill signing at The Palm Beach County Jail.  Now under Florida Law, people who sell drugs can be charged with murder. The visit to the jail comes on the heels of Governor Scott […]

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