Generics

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In response to a new second set of limits on generic drug pharmacy reimbursement that recently were proposed by federal Medicaid officials, the National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday reiterated its concerns with what the group characterized as the "flawed methodology" being used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to determine the payment caps.

NCPA requested a meeting with CMS officials on the matter.
 

STAMFORD, Conn. — Purdue Pharma has launched a new way for fighting pharmacy crime, the drug maker said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has appointed a new chief of staff for commissioner Margaret Hamburg, according to a letter sent to agency employees Monday.

In the letter, Hamburg announced the appointment of Lisa Barclay. Barclay, currently a partner at the Washington law firm Zuckerman Spaeder, will replace Molly Muldoon, who was previously chief of staff and more recently the agency's acting COO.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Third-quarter net revenue for Sagent Pharmaceuticals jumped 94% to $41.3 million, thanks to several new product launches during the period.

Gross profit for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was $6.9 million, or 16.8% of net revenues, compared with $2.7 million, or 12.9% of net revenues, in the year-ago period.

WASHINGTON — A bill proposed in Congress would give states incentives for using generic drugs through the Medicaid program.

In the classic “Arabian Nights” tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp, the evil sorcerer who made Aladdin retrieve the lamp containing the genie attempts to get it back by tricking Aladdin’s wife into giving it to him by roaming through the streets offering to trade “new lamps for old.”


In February, Drug Store News discussed three issues concerning generic drugs that would figure prominently throughout the year: drug safety, user fees and patent settlements.


INDIANAPOLIS — Marsh Supermarkets is offering a new program for patients with diabetes, according to the Indianapolis-based chain's website.

Under Marsh's Diabetes Care program, patients who bring a new prescription to a Marsh supermarket pharmacy or transfer an existing one will receive up to a 30-day supply of qualifying generic diabetes medications for free, as well as free universal lancets.

The medications include glipizide, metformin, glimepiride and glyburide. The program is available through the end of May 2012.