As I write this column, I’m working at home, social distancing from others not in my immediate family, yet keeping close to my coworkers and community through a blend of online video and other communications. As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States, I wonder when we will return to “normal” — or even
As the nation’s health care system has come under intense scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors, nurses and hospital systems, especially those dealing directly with coronavirus patients, have earned accolades for their heroic efforts to save lives and restore health. Two other components of the health care system — one routinely undervalued, the other often
HOUSTON — New research from the National Pharmacy Association shows that pharmacy technicians feel unsafe working in pharmacy amid COVID-19 pandemic and that employers are not doing enough to protect the safety and well-being of the pharmacy staff, while also serving the needs of their patients. The survey, “COVID-19: A Survey of Pharmacy Technicians,” compared
(Editor’s note: The following article written by Steven Anderson, president and CEO, National Association of Chain Drug Stores appeared on Medium’s website January 31st.) NACDS and member companies fielded media inquiries this week about the demand and supply of surgical masks amid coronavirus fears. This shows yet again that consumers think of pharmacies when they think of
One thing that can be said about the state of prescription medications in 2019 is that the pharmacy payment model is complex, convoluted and confusing. That’s how I began this column last year. And although some progress has been made in moving the model toward a system that better serves patients, that sentence still does
Value-based care models have been used in health care for years, trying to strike a balance between coverage, cost and quality. While value-based care is relatively new to pharmacy, we are beginning to see a spectrum of new payment methods ranging from traditional fee for service to shared savings and risk-bearing models based on patient
TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart is innovating across its business to protect the balanced sales equation that makes it the envy of its counterparts in the U.S. Like American drug chains, SDM is known for pharmacy and an expanding array of health care services, but it is also a leader in beauty in Canada and
BOISE, Idaho – Under a new state law that takes effect Monday, Albertsons pharmacy technicians in the Boise area are the first in the state with the training to prescribe the life-saving opioid antagonist naloxone. The new Idaho law, signed by Governor Brad Little in February, addresses the opioid epidemic head on by expanding to
ARLINGTON, Va.— The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today welcomed the White House’s release of the 2019 National Drug Control Strategy, and expressed in particular the Association’s commitment to collaboration as part of the solution to the opioid-abuse epidemic. “We have an opportunity to continue to build on longstanding and ongoing efforts to
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has responded to “The Unsung Role of the Pharmacist in Patient Health,” a New York Times article published on Jan. 28 that emphasizes the increasingly important role of pharmacists in health care delivery. NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson wrote, “This column validates further the competence,
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has promoted six staff members to roles vital to the advancement of the NACDS Access Agenda and its related issue campaigns. Michael Angeloni was named government affairs and communications associate. He had been government affairs coordinator. Christie Boutte was appointed vice president of regulatory advocacy and
WASHINGTON — Cary Rx has extended the release of their enterprise offering, CaryRx Enterprise, providing a cost-efficient platform that enables any pharmacy to transform into a tech-enabled operation. The CaryRx Enterprise technology stack seamlessly enables existing healthcare systems and pharmacies to become a fully mobile-enabled pharmacy, on par with on-demand services such as Uber, DoorDash, and
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee Inc. has acquired the prescription files of 22 Shopko pharmacies in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Shopko patient files will merge into existing Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations in the 17 cities where the acquisitions have taken place. “As we continue to grow our pharmacy business, we pride
EAST WINDSOR, N.J. – Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. has received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for silodosin capsules, 4 mg and 8 mg. Aurobindo’s silodosin capsules are an AB-rated generic equivalent to the reference listed drug, Allergan Sales, LLC’s Rapaflo. Silodosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, is
