Most Clicked FMI Pharmacy dailyLead Stories
1. HHS to release warnings on Tamiflu price variations
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 20, 2009
The HHS soon will release on flu.gov consumer warnings over pricing differences for the liquid form of flu drug Tamiflu, said Bill Hall, an agency spokesman. The move comes amid reports that some pharmacies are charging three times more than others for the drug. USA TODAY (11/19)
2. Drug prices continue to increase despite health reform efforts
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 16, 2009
Wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs increased about 9% in the past 12 months, the fastest rate in years. A spokesman for Merck & Co. said price increases have nothing to do with health reform but are intended to sustain funding for discovering treatments. New York Times, The (11/15)
3. 5 Democrats seek investigations into higher drug prices
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 19, 2009
Four House Democrats wrote a letter asking the Government Accountability Office to review price increases implemented by the drug industry in light of reports of higher wholesale prices for prescription drugs. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., made a similar request to the HHS inspector general, saying the issue should be investigated at "the extent to which these increases may affect the Medicare and Medicaid programs." New York Times, The (11/18)
4. Report sees continued growth in retail health clinic market
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 17, 2009
Growth in the retail health clinic market will slow in the next three years before picking up again in 2013 and 2014, according to a report from Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic has a 41% share of the market, and Walgreen's Take Care Health System has a 31% share, the report said. Chain Drug Review (11/16)
5. Companies buy into wellness programs for long-term savings
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 17, 2009
Employers are spending more money on wellness programs and encouraging employees to participate in hopes that a long-term shift toward healthier living and preventive care will reduce health care spending, benefits experts say. It is estimated comprehensive wellness programs can reduce medical costs for a company by 2% to 4% in three years. Chicago Tribune (11/16)
6. Health officials defend decision concerning H1N1 flu vaccine
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 18, 2009
Facing criticism for their handling of a nationwide shortage of the H1N1 flu vaccine, health officials during a Senate committee hearing defended their decision to not use vaccine adjuvants to boost supply. An HHS official said adding adjuvants would have disrupted production and lowered confidence in the vaccine, leading to fewer people getting the shot. The officials also said the country needs vaccine plants to avoid dependence on foreign facilities. New York Times, The (11/17)
7. Lifestyle changes could prevent two-thirds of cancers
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 17, 2009
Mayo Clinic researchers said that if people maintained a proper weight through healthy diet and exercise the number of cancer deaths would drop by one-third. Another third of cancer deaths related to tobacco exposure could be avoided if people did not smoke, they said. United Press International (11/16)
8. Study: 43% of U.S. adults could be obese by 2018
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 18, 2009
A study estimated if current trends continue, 43% of U.S. adults will be obese by 2018, up from 31% in 2008, and health costs would hit $344 billion, or more than one in five dollars spent on health care. The lead researcher said for health reform to make an impact on controlling costs, it must address obesity and other chronic conditions. New York Times, The (11/17)
9. Fat accumulation around some organs could affect heart function
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 16, 2009
U.S. researchers studying obese and healthy people found that fat buildup in different body parts, including around the heart and in the liver, could weaken certain heart functions. The study also discovered that a person's body mass index is not a good predictor of the amount of unwanted fat around and in the organs. Thaindian News (11/14)
10. Study links moderate drinking and heart protection
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Nov 20, 2009
Moderate drinking can cut the risk of heart disease in men by as much as one-third and benefit women as well, a Spanish study has found. Researchers said the type of alcohol doesn't matter. HealthDay News (11/19)
Sign up for FMI Pharmacy dailyLead
