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Written by Toby Roberts
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Thursday, 22 October 2009 11:30 |
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Union, Mo. Has just become the second town in the United States that will require a prescription for commonly used cold medications. Following in the footsteps of Washington, Mo., Union is attempting to curb the sales of cold medication to combat the town’s major problem with methamphetamine production and use. Towns across the United States have taken action in recent years by moving medications that include pseudoephedrine, the major ingredient in methamphetamine, behind the pharmacy counters. Most require ID to buy the medications and some areas even record and limit the number of packages that individuals are allowed to buy. Oregon is the only state with a state-wide prescription requirement for pseudoephedrine medications. |
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Written by Toby Roberts
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Thursday, 22 October 2009 11:29 |
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The Generic Pharmaceutical Industry Association (GPIA) has released a statement opposing the recently approved bill that will require them to pay substantial rebates to state and federal Medicaid programs as a part of health care reform. The bill, which passed last week in the Senate Finance Committee, requires generic drug makers to pay $460 million in rebates over a ten year period. The GPIA argues that the rebates will result in fewer companies making generic drugs which will result in higher prices for consumers. |
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Written by Toby Roberts
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Thursday, 15 October 2009 16:06 |
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Rite Aid drug stores have recently decided to offer flu shots to pregnant women without a prescription. Up to this point the chain has required prescriptions despite the announcements that pregnant women are a part of the priority group for seasonal and H1N1 flu shots. Although doctors recommend the shots, pregnant women traditionally have low vaccination rates because pharmacy vaccination programs tend to be hesitant to offer them. Since obstetricians do not vaccinate, requiring the prescription served only to make the process more difficult. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 October 2009 16:09 )
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Written by Toby Roberts
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Monday, 12 October 2009 10:56 |
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an announcement to pharmacists regarding a recent number of Mefloquine prescriptions that have incorrectly instructed patients to take the 250 mg dose daily rather than weekly. Mefloquine is prescribed to treat malaria prophylaxis for individuals traveling abroad. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 October 2009 11:00 )
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Written by Toby Roberts
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Friday, 11 September 2009 11:05 |
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In July of this year Lu’s Pharmacy opened in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the very front of niche marketing Lu’s Pharmacy caters to only a select group – women only. The pharmacy is an outgrowth of the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective that has been providing medical counseling and advice to local women since 1971.
Lu’s Pharmacy is located in an area known for severe poverty and drug use. Women in the nearby neighborhoods do not have access to full service pharmacy care. As security precautions the pharmacy does not stock narcotic drugs and customers are admitted individually through a locked security door.
So far the pharmacy reports that no men have attempted to fill prescriptions or complained about the pharmacies women-only rule. Canadian laws, similar to those in the U.S., do require pharmacies to provide service to anyone with a valid prescription and means of payment. It remains to be seen if Lu’s women-only stance will be legally challenged.
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