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NCPA, NACDS to Congress: Drug stores save U.S. money
A group representing independent pharmacies is urging Congress to cut the deficit by reducing healthcare expenditures, but “without compromising patients’ access to their pharmacy of choice or harming local jobs.” In a letter sent last month to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested increasing use of generic drugs, encouraging such services as medication therapy management, collecting manufacturer rebates, and allowing patients to choose their pharmacies and avoid requirements to use mail-order services.
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Depomed launches shingles drug
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Depomed has launched a new drug for treating shingles, the drug maker said Monday.
The company announced the launch of Gralise (gabapentin) tablets, a once-daily treatment for postherpetic neuralgia, the pain that follows healing of the rash associated with shingles.
Gralise is a proprietary formulation of gabapentin that uses patented polymer technology that enables gradual release of the drug. Depomed said it is not interchangeable with other branded or generic gabapentin-based drugs.