Regulatory and Washington

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With an ongoing need for consumer education and awareness to help people understand their health insurance options under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Walgreens and Chicago-based GoHealth on Thursday announced a nationwide initiative and collaboration to assist customers and help provide a resource for those considering the new health insurance marketplaces.   

WASHINGTON — The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Tuesday collaborated to spread awareness about over-the-counter cough medicine abuse among parents and communities in recognition of annual National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month.

WASHINGTON — The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has issued more than half a million certifications, the group said Wednesday.

The PTCB said the number of certifications it had granted was 503,620 as of June 30. Last year alone, 39,729 candidates passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Tuesday commended California Gov. Jerry Brown for signing S.B. 465 into law, which clarifies the current state law on the use of empty space between the product and excess container capacity, commonly referred to as “nonfunctional slack fill.”

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy is reaching out as an information resource about the implementation and rollout of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the 33-store chain said Wednesday.

Navarro, based in Miami and the largest Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain in the country, said several healthcare companies would be available at its stores to explain insurance options, costs and other important information. The chain also will offer free health screenings like glucose testing, blood-pressure monitoring and others.

DUBLIN — Actavis has appointed the board of directors for the division it recently created as part of its acquisition of Ireland-based Warner Chilcott, the drug maker said.

Actavis, which announced the $8.5 billion purchase of Warner Chilcott, cleared the final regulatory hurdle to the acquisition Monday when the Irish High Court approved it. As part of the acquisition, it is changing Warner Chilcott's name to Actavis plc.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Along with a number of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act-themed pieces of legislation, California Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed into law a provision that will allow pharmacists to perform physical assessments; order and interpret laboratory tests; refer patients to other providers; start, adjust and terminate medications under physician protocol; and work with other healthcare providers to evaluate and manage a patient’s health issues.  

NEW YORK — The Department of Health and Human Services will furlough more than half of its employees due to the government shutdown, the agency said.

In announcing a contingency staffing plan for the shutdown, which started Tuesday when Congress failed to pass a budget in time, HHS said 52% of its employees would be on furlough, totaling 40,512 members of its staff. The remaining 48%, or 37,686 employees, would remain. The scheduled introduction of the health insurance exchanges mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will also continue.