Licensing

PHOENIX — A Washington-based healthcare accrediting organization has given its nod to Avella Specialty Pharmacy, Avella said Thursday.

The specialty pharmacy company said it had received Specialty Pharmacy and Mail Service Pharmacy accreditations from URAC.

"At Avella, patient safety is our top priority," Avella CEO John Musil said. "We're pleased to obtain external validation from such a prestigious organization and are proud to be recognized for our commitment to quality and service."

NEW YORK — Inquiries by pharmacists with doctors regarding the rationale behind prescriptions, diagnoses and treatment plans are inappropriate, according to a new resolution by the American Medical Association.

The AMA adopted the resolution at its 2013 annual meeting, calling such inquiries "an interference with the practice of medicine and unwarranted."

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs has appointed Mary Pendergast to its board of directors, the generic drug maker said.

Impax said Pendergast's appointment became effective last Wednesday. Pendergast is president of legal and regulatory consulting firm Pendergast Consulting. She previously served as deputy commissioner and senior adviser to the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration for 18 years.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, has signed what the National Association of Community Pharmacy has characterized as groundbreaking reform legislation that applies reasonable standards to how pharmacy benefit managers audit community pharmacies, provides increased transparency into generic prescription drug reimbursement and ensures that PBM administrators of prescription drug claims are registered within the state.

NEW YORK — The Obama administration's delay in implementing a key healthcare provision in 2014 only serves to add confusion around the overall package, especially as individuals will still be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, Mac Crawford, Crawford Ross partner and former CVS Caremark chairman, told Benzinga Wednesday. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what's being called the first therapy of its kind to prevent bleeding episodes.

The FDA announced Thursday the approval of Westlake Village, Calif.-based Baxter Healthcare Corp.'s Rixubis (coagulation factor IX [recombinant]) for patients with hemophilia B age 16 years and older. The treatment is used for controlling and preventing bleeding episodes, management of patients after surgery and routine use to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board has published a handbook containing information about applying for and maintaining specialty pharmacist credentials.

The SPCB announced Monday the release of the Certified Specialty Pharmacist Candidate Handbook, which includes information on eligibility requirements, examination content outlines, testing information, code of conduct, recertification requirements and fees.

NEW YORK — Under a new law, pharmacists in Indiana will be able to provide an expanded range of immunizations that includes human papillomavirus.