As prescription drug abuse has grown into the “opioid epidemic” we are currently faced with, the Drug Enforcement Administration and state regulatory and law enforcement authorities have significantly ramped up their enforcement efforts across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain. For pharmacists, there has been an increased focus on a pharmacist’s “corresponding responsibility” to prevent the
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health announced that the company will enhance and expand two of its signature programs focused on helping prevent prescription opioid abuse. Specifically, CVS Health said it will install 1,100 additional safe medication disposal units in CVS Pharmacy locations and local police departments by the end of next year, bringing the total number
CAMP HILL, Pa. — In an effort combat drug abuse and misuse, Rite Aid Corp. announced today its plans to install 100 medication disposal units in selected pharmacies over the next year. The units offer individuals a free, safe and convenient way to dispose of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, helping to reduce
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. announced that naloxone is now available at each of the more than 2,500 Rite Aid pharmacies in the United States and can be dispensed without a prescription, subject to state regulations. “The opioid epidemic has reached epic proportions and it is an issue that demands not only our
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen has ramped up its efforts to thwart opioid diversion and abuse. The pharmaceutical distributor on Thursday announced ongoing operational commitments to prevent opioid abuse and abuse in line with its initiatives to protect the supply chain. AmerisourceBergen said it will continue to use and enhance a sophisticated set of algorithms
WASHINGTON — It’s clear that America’s growing opioid epidemic is getting worse. Last month President Trump stopped short of declaring the crisis a national emergency and directed the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency instead. Though this less urgent designation puts Congress in charge of dispensing
SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. chairman and chief executive officer John Hammergren has endorsed President Donald Trump’s plan to designate the opioid abuse crisis as a national emergency. Trump this week is expected to formally declare the growing misuse and abuse of narcotic painkillers as a national emergency after saying this summer that he planned
DEERFIELD, Ill. — AmerisourceBergen, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Pfizer and Prime Therapeutics are helping Walgreens fight the national opioid epidemic by expanding the availability of safe medication disposal kiosks. The drug chain said Wednesday that the effort will bring the medication disposal units to an additional 900 Walgreens stores near military bases and
WOONSOCKET, R.I — CVS Health has unveiled a sweeping plan that marshals its integrated pharmacy assets to help stem the rising tide of drug misuse and abuse, namely opioid painkillers. CVS said Thursday that its enterprisewide strategy to fight the opioid epidemic includes initiatives for safe drug disposal and utilization management of pain medications, as
ARLINGTON, Va. — Steve Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, took part in a meeting on the opioid epidemic with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. NACDS said that at yesterday’s meeting Price sought to learn more about pharmacy’s role in addressing abuse and misuse of
