Pharmacy Technology

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — There’s been quite an uproar following healthcare reform’s flexible spending account proposal that in January will force consumers to spend upward of $40 on doctor visit co-pays in order to save some $2.50 for every $10 spent on nonprescription items.

TOKYO The president and CEO of Agensys, a subsidiary of Japanese drug maker Astellas, will retire, Astellas said Tuesday.

Donald Rice founded Agensys as UroGenesys in Santa Monica, Calif., in 1996 for the development of biotech drugs for treating cancer. Astellas acquired Agensys in December 2007.

Former Allergan SVP, head of global drug development and chief medical officer Sef Kurstjens will replace Rice as president and CEO of Agensys.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association heralded the withdrawal of two provisions from the Medicaid program that would have had retail pharmacies selling generic drugs at a loss.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — There currently are about 1,200 retail clinics and more than 100,000 certified immunizing pharmacists. Expect those numbers to rise steadily as other employers looks to mimic Citi's free flu shot card program -- and you can bet they will.

(THE NEWS: Citi's flu care card pushes employers toward lower-cost retail channels. For the full story, click here)

ALPHARETTA, Ga. Sam’s Club locations on Wednesday kicked off “Hugo Salutes Our Veterans,” a national program that will provide 36,000 Hugo folding canes free of charge to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance.

SILVER SPRING, Md. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating excess fat development in patients with HIV, the agency said Thursday.

The FDA approved Egrifta (tesamorelin) for treating HIV patients with lipodystrophy, a condition in which excess fat develops in different areas of the body, such as the abdominal organs. The condition is often a side effect of the retroviral drugs used to treat the disease.

ARLINGTON, Va. The Food Marketing Institute announced Wednesday the creation of the Center of Excellence for Food Safety and Protection, uniting food safety experts and professionals from government relations, asset protection, food defense, supply chain management, health and wellness, sustainability and industry relations to address all aspects of food safety.

WASHINGTON The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a new comprehensive tobacco control strategy that includes proposed new bolder health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. Once final, these health warnings on cigarettes and in cigarette advertisements will be the most significant change in more than 25 years.