Monday, August 31, 2015

Second Circuit Court of Appeals won't revive drug price suit against J & J and other drugmakers brought by pharmacies

August 28, 2015

2nd Circ. Won't Revive Drug Price Suit Against J&J, Others

The Second Circuit on Thursday refused to revive a drug price discrimination suit against Johnson & Johnson and other drugmakers, ruling a group of 28 retail pharmacies had failed to show they were harmed by the allegedly anti-competitive practices

Texas Board of Pharmacy Job Opening for a Manager

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Alerts Consumers To Watch Out For Solicitations From Out-Of-State Pharmacies

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Alerts Consumers To Watch Out For Solicitations From Out-Of-State Pharmacies
August 27, 2015, Charleston, WV -- Attorney General Patrick Morrisey today alerted consumers to be on the lookout for out-of-state pharmacies sending unsolicited order forms, medical supplies or medications to insurance customers without their consent. The Office’s Consumer Protection Division has received several reports of local consumers receiving what appear to be order forms for medical supplies and prescriptions from out-of-state pharmacies. Consumers and medical providers are also receiving supplies and prescriptions from these pharmacies, even though they have not placed orders from these companies. more at:  http://www.ago.wv.gov/pressroom/2015/Pages/Attorney-General-Patrick-Morrisey-Alerts-Consumers-To-Watch-Out-For-Solicitations-From-Out-Of-State-Pharmacies.aspx

FDA 483 issued 07/08/2015 to Harley Medical Center Pharmacy, Inc., Long Beach CA

Hartley Medical Center Pharmacy, Inc., Long Beach, CA

Pharmacist counseling failures to cost Walgreens $502,200 | News | PleasantonWeekly.com |

Pharmacist counseling failures to cost Walgreens $502,200 | News | PleasantonWeekly.com |

Breaking Must Read News!! Cummings Investigates "Staggering" Claims for Prescription Nutritional Supplements--Cummings' letter also references pre-printed forms used by pharmacies to encourage doctors to prescribe these supplements

Cummings Investigates “Staggering” Claims For Prescription Nutritional Supplements

Aug 31, 2015 
Press Release
Washington, D.C. (Aug. 31, 2015)—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent letters to Warner West Pharmacy & Suppliesand CVS Health after CBS News reported that the pharmacy submitted an insurance claim for more than $44,000 on behalf of one of its customers for a widely available nutritional supplement known as Resveratrol—an antioxidant derived from grapes that the pharmacy reportedly sells over the counter for about $600.
“If these reports are accurate, they raise a host of troubling questions about how this could have occurred—and whether it is still occurring on a much wider scale,” Cummings wrote.
Cummings’ letter references new documents he has obtained, including a printout from the pharmacy’s management program that appears to confirm that the pharmacy submitted this astronomical claim, but then reversed course after press inquiries about the charges.  The pharmacy apparently attributed this reversal to the patient, who the pharmacy said had “refused” the prescription.  In fact, it appears that the patient was given the prescription at no charge after press inquiries were made.
Cummings’ letter also referenced a pre-printed prescription form that the pharmacy apparently used to encourage doctors to prescribe nutritional supplements sold by the pharmacy.  The form includes five options with boxes next to each option that doctors could check to indicate their prescriptions.  If a prescription was not covered by insurance, the pre-printed form appears to authorize the pharmacy to substitute claims for any of the other supplements—even if doctors never prescribed them.
Cummings requested that Warner West and CVS Health provide information about the submission of this insurance claim and any other similar claims, including if they were approved or reversed; the source of any payments made to cover the cost of the supplements; all National Drug Codes or other codes used to submit the claims; and the pharmacy’s use of pre-printed prescription forms that allow it to submit claims for supplements that were not prescribed by physicians.
Click here to see the letter to Warner West Pharmacy & Supplies.
Click here to see the letter to CVS Health.

CA upholds decision that PIC is responsible for drug theft by employees

C.A. Upholds Pharmacist's Penalty in $1 Million Drug Theft

www.metnews.com/articles/2015/stern082815.htm
3 days ago - The court agreed with the California State Board of Pharmacy and the trial judge that a pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for violations of Business and  ..

Wisconsin Statutes Regarding Pharmacy published and certified August 26, 2015

CHAPTER 450

docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/450.pdf
Wisconsin Legislature
5 days ago - Pharmacist licensed in other state; licensure. 450.06. Pharmacies located in this ... (2) “Board” means the pharmacy examining

Question of the Day August 31, 2015 In some cases do pharmacies doing business in more than their home state need more than one PIC? Can one PIC comply will multiple state PIC rules and regulations? Why or why not?


Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy Rules for PIC

]ARTICLE VII RESPONSIBILITY OF PHARMACIST-IN ...

www.mbp.state.ms.us/.../Pharmacy.../ART...
Mississippi Board of Pharmacy
6 days ago - permit shall be the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) for that facility. ... management and compliance with all federal and state pharmacy laws and regulations ... personnel are properly registered or licensed with the Board and, that all pharmacy

Sternberg v. Cal. State Bd. of Pharmacy

Sternberg v. Cal. State Bd. of Pharmacy

DEA Addresses Pharmacists' Crackdown Fears

DEA Addresses Pharmacists' Crackdown Fears

www.pharmacytimes.com/.../dea-addresses-pharmacists-crackdown-fears...
6 hours ago - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently made an appearance at a state pharmacy board meeting to appease pharmacists' fears

Agenda for Iowa State Board of Pharmacy Meeting August 31-September 2, 2015

Iowa Board of Pharmacy - State of Iowa

www.state.ia.us/ibpe/pdf/agenda.pdf
22 hours ago - engaged in the sale, delivery, or distribution of prescription drugs and devices ... Adopt Amendments to Various Chapters (regarding compounding practices) b.

The Risk of Using Compounded Drugs to Treat Ulcers: find out why this doctor says avoid using compounded drugs for ulcers in horses

The Risk of Using Compounded Drugs to Treat Ulcers

Florida Compounding Pharmacy Settles False Claims Act Allegations Involving Telemedicine Prescriptions for $8 Million

Florida Compounding Pharmacy Settles False Claims Act Allegations Involving Telemedicine Prescriptions for $8 Million

Import Alert 66-38--skin care products

Import Alert 66-38

Case Style: United States of America v. Quest Diagnostics Inc. and Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. Case Number: 2:12-cv-1970 Judge: Kimberly J. Mueller

http://www.morelaw.com/verdicts/case.asp?n=2:12-cv-1970&s=CA&d=82077

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Who is Driving Up Health Care Cost: Harvard Study: "Cowboy Doctors and Health Care Cost"

http://harvardmagazine.com/2015/08/cowboy-doctors-and-health-costs

Varadkar forced to intervene in row over pharmacy regulation Eilish O'Regan Twitter EMAIL

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/varadkar-forced-to-intervene-in-row-over-pharmacy-regulation-31489435.html

Rep. Murphy introduces Veterans Access to Treatment Act | Observer-Reporter

Rep. Murphy introduces Veterans Access to Treatment Act | Observer-Reporter

Ask a Vet: Federal government to create pet medication paper trail

Ask a Vet: Federal government to create pet medication paper trail

Oklahoma researcher reports link between pharmacies' output, overdoses The Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which administers the state’s Medicaid program compared data from the state medical examiner’s office and its own system to look for any correlations. by Jaclyn Cosgrove Modified: August 30, 2015 at 1:00 pm • Published: August 30, 2015

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Taxpayers Funding DNA Tests: Dallas Medicare Fraud Strike Force Takes on Rampant Healthcare Hustles

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Prescription Drug Fraud Controls ...

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Prescription Drug Fraud Controls ...

www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/gao-issues-report-on-medicaid-31609/
5 days ago - Lock-in programs address doctor shopping by restricting beneficiaries who have abused the Medicaid program to one healthcare provider, one pharmacy, ...

CMS Issues Guidance on Part D's “Any Willing Pharmacy ...

CMS Issues Guidance on Part D's “Any Willing Pharmacy ...

www.cmhealthlaw.com › Health Care Reform & ACA
5 days ago - Home > Health Care Reform & ACA > CMS Issues Guidance on Part D's “Any ... to Medicare Part D sponsors regarding the any willing pharmacy requirement. ... careantitrust, managed carefraud and abuse (including Stark, anti-kickback and  ...

N.Y. pharmacy owner sentenced to 3 years for $10M fraud scheme ...

N.Y. pharmacy owner sentenced to 3 years for $10M fraud scheme ...

www.smartbrief.com/.../ny-pharmacy-owner-sentenced-3-years-10m-fraud...
1 day ago - Aramalla, owner and operator of A Fair Deal Pharmacy in Queens, N.Y., and ... Carter pleaded guilty to health care fraud in April 2014, and authorities said she ...

Head of $79 million pill restocking scam gets prison; Kentwood Pharmacy CEO sentenced following healthcare fraud

  • On Thursday, Duron Mulder, 56, formally of East Grand Rapids, pleaded guilty tohealth care fraud. It's a case ...
  • Head of $79 million pill restocking scam gets prison
    WZZM - 2 days ago
  • CEO of Kentwood Pharmacy headed to prison
    WWMT-TV - 2 days ago
  • HSE investigating dispensing fees claimed by LloydsPharmacy group


    HSE investigating dispensing fees claimed by LloydsPharmacy group

    RTE.ie-8 hours ago
    The Health Service Executive is investigating alleged irregularities in dispensing fees claimed by Ireland's largest pharmacy group LloydsPharmacy.

    Pharmacy Pays Settlement for Lack of Break Times

    Pharmacy Pays Settlement for Lack of Break Times
    Pharmacy Times - 13 hours ago

    Record profits of 2 million a month claimed

    PXYN-.0159???-RECORD-NET-PROFITS-2 ... - Investors Hub

    investorshub.advfn.com › ... › MOMO'S BREAKOUT BOARD
    5 hours ago - Mesa Pharmacy, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides doctors with an alternative to oral pain medications. Mesa focuses on providing custom compounded ...

    Washington Apple Health: reimbursement rules for compounded prescriptions

    [PDF]Prescription Drug Program Billing Instruction - Health Care Authority

    www.hca.wa.gov/medicaid/billing/.../prescription_drug_program_bi.pdf
    17 hours ago - Washington Apple Health is the name used in Washington. State for ... theWashington State Health Care Authority. What has .... Compounded Prescriptions .

    If you aren't a member of the American Society for Pharmacy Law, you should be, and here is one of many reasons why: dual liability for the False Claim Act and the Controlled Substances Act and Info on Oklahoma's recent court decision regarding off-label use

    The Rx Ipsa Loquitur, olume 42, Number 4 July/August 2015 contains a must read article entitled, PharmMerica Settlements Highlight Potential for Dual False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act Liability for Invalid Prescriptions written by Barbara Roland, JD, and Matt Newcomer, JD, who are Principals in the Internal Investigations and White Collar Defense Group at Post & Schell, PC's Washington D.C. and Philadelphia offices, respectively.

    Members can also read about an important decision issued by an Oklahoma district court regarding off-label use which may end up being appealed and not be the final say in the case.

    For information on becoming a member of the ASPL go to www.aspl.org

    New York Times: Bigger May Be Better for Health Insurers, but Doubts Remain for Consumers 214

    Midwest Veterinary Conference Scheduled for February 25-28, 2016

    2015 Midwest Veterinary Conference: Exhibitors

    www.mvcinfo.org/exhibits/exhibitors.html
    5 days ago - The only exclusive companion animal veterinary association, AAHA serves ..... Pet Health Pharmacy: Custom Compounding with Our Personal Touch. Pittsburgh ...

    Lance Armstrong's former doctor called in doping hearings

    Lance Armstrong's former doctor called in doping hearings

    www.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2015/08/...doping.../32480013/
    2 days ago - ROME (AP) — Lance Armstrong's former physician Michele Ferrari and his son Stefano have been called in for hearings next week with the Italian Olympic ...

    Seven Compounders in Trouble With FDA for Poor Sterile Practices: PCCA raises concerns Aug. 28, 2015

    The documents and requests continue to be filed in In Re: New England Compounding Pharmacy, Inc. Products Liability Litigation -- this case could be used in any civil law class to teach about all the procedures and filings in civil lawsuits!!

    Policy and Medicine: UK Health Secretary Announces Mandatory "Sunshine Rule" After Investigation Into Industry Relationships With NHS Employees

    Policy and Medicine: August 28, 2015 Be Careful What You Wish For? FDA’s Biosimilars Naming Guidance Proposes New Identifiers For All Biologic Products

    Policy and Medicine: FTC Urges FDA To Reevaluate Current Approach To Regulating Homeopathic Drugs

    As Insurers End Coverage for Compounded Drugs, Patients ...

    As Insurers End Coverage for Compounded Drugs, Patients ...

    https://senior.com/as-insurers-end-coverage-for-compounded-drugs-patient...
    13 hours ago - As Insurers End Coverage for Compounded Drugs, Patients Struggle. August 28, 2015 | Health Insurance, Uncategorized. It's a David-vs.-Goliath dispute, and millions of patients are caught in the middle — perhaps even unaware they're about to lose coverage for the compounded medications they need for their conditions.

    Thursday, August 27, 2015

    Mulder was sentenced to ten years in prison, followed by a supervised release and he was ordered to pay $8,000,000 in restitution.

    Head of $79 million pill restocking scam gets prisonWZZM

    Fred's reports another loss as pharmacy ops dip MarketWatch-16 hours ago

    Fred's reports another loss aspharmacy ops dip
    MarketWatch-16 hours ago
    For Memphis-based Fred's, pharmacyoperations represent about 40% of overall sales, and the company has looked to .

    Fred's hires consultant to help withpharmacy headwinds

    Fred's hires consultant to help withpharmacy headwinds
    Memphis Commercial Appeal-13 hours ago
    Fred's Inc. hired a consultant to focus on "bringing about rapid change" in itspharmacy segment, as the company faces ...

    Pharmacy CEO gets maximum sentence in drug repackaging scheme MLive.com-6 hours ago

    Pharmacy CEO gets maximum sentence in drug repackaging scheme
    MLive.com-6 hours ago
    GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Former KentwoodPharmacy CEO Kim Mulder was sentenced Thursday, Aug. 27, to 10 years in ...

    The French defy pharma over drug pricing

    The French defy pharma over drug pricing
    Politico-11 hours ago
    This happened in the U.S. a few years ago, when issues at a compoundingpharmacy led to people using Avastin for .

    Lethal Injection Ruled Constitutional in Tennessee

    Lethal Injection Ruled Constitutional in Tennessee
    Dispatch Times-2 hours ago
    But some states have rebuffed the drugsince it was used in high-profile ... They say those factors and the use ofcompounded pentobarbital create risk of pain and suffering and lingering death.

    Wednesday, August 26, 2015

    Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission Now Hiring

    Excellent/must read!! Texas Pharmacy Laws and Rules Update (August 20, 2015) by

    Texas Pharmacy Laws and Rules Update (August 20, 2015)

    Minnesota and office use compounded veterinary drugs

    Board of Pharmacy Guidance on the Compounding of Veterinary Products

    The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy will temporarily exercise enforcement discretion by not requiring a pharmacy to become licensed as a manufacturer when it compounds and distributes a limited supply of veterinary products that are needed in urgent or emergency situations; where the health of the animal is threatened, where suffering or death of the animal is likely to results, from failure to treat.
    Note that this guidance will remain in effect only until the Board can promulgate appropriate rules related to this issue.
    Details regarding this guidance can be found in this PDF: Urgent and Emergency Veterinary Compounding Guidance.

    Quoted from: http://mn.gov/boards/veterinary-medicine/

    Arizona Board of Pharmacy Enters into Consent Decree with Phoenix Children's Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy regarding compounding issues

    Phoenix Children's Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy

    License # / Permit #: 
    Y001644
    Attachment: 

    Safeguarding the U.S. drug supply What you need to know to comply with the DSCSA

    Miami pharmacist admits role in $1.6 million Medicare scheme

    Judge orders temporary halt to Mississippi executions


    1. Judge orders temporary halt to Mississippi executions

      Jackson Clarion Ledger-14 hours ago
      The lawsuit, which seeks an injunction to prevent the state's use of the compounded drugs, asks that Mississippi be prohibited from using the last two drugs in ...

    Bain acquires new compounding pharmacy service - Private Equity

    Bain acquires new compounding pharmacy service - Private ...

    https://www.privatehealthcareinvestor.com/bain-acquires-new-compoundin...
    18 hours ago - Bain Capital Private Equity took a majority stake in the newly formed QuVa Pharma, which has acquired Healix's compounding pharmacy unit.

    Veterinary Compounding: For 'Office Use' - Baer Law Firm

    Veterinary Compounding: For 'Office Use' - Baer Law Firm

    baerlaw.com/veterinary-compounding-office-use/
    2 hours ago - State-by-state regulation of compounding means veterinary compounders must fully comply with each state's laws or face disciplinary action.

    Tuesday, August 25, 2015

    New England Compounding Center Litigation

    Monday, August 24, 2015
    2186 MEMORANDUM in Support re2185 MOTION for Reconsideration filed by Vaughan A. Allen, M.D., John Culclasure, Howell Allen Clinic, A Professional Corporation, Donald Jones, Kenneth Lister, M.D., P.C., Kenneth R. Lister, Saint Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgical Center, LLC, Debra Schamberg, Specialty Surgery Center, PLLC.(Tardio, Chris)
     Att: 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1,
     Att: 2 Exhibit Exhibit 2
    2185 MOTION for Reconsideration by Vaughan A. Allen, M.D., John Culclasure, Howell Allen Clinic, A Professional Corporation, Donald Jones, Kenneth Lister, M.D., P.C., Kenneth R. Lister, Saint Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgical Center, LLC, Debra Schamberg, Specialty Surgery Center, PLLC.(Tardio, Chris)

    Wegmans Pharmacy ranks highest among supermarket pharmacies, study says


  • Wegmans Pharmacy ranks highest among supermarket pharmacies in customer satisfaction, a J.D. Power ...

  • Lembo: CT saving $2M a month on compounded meds

    Lembo: CT saving $2M a month on compounded meds

    Hartford Business-7 hours ago
    Compounded medications, which pharmacists create by combining two or more drugs, include topical pain medications and anti-scarring creams. They are not ...

    Bovine Veterinarian: FDA releases draft guidance on animal drug compounding

    Medicine in India: Rampant Quackery, Baffling Drug Landscape

    Judge Gleeson denied pharmacy'smotion to dismiss lawsuit ..

    Judge Gleeson denied pharmacy'smotion to dismiss lawsuit ...
    Madison County Record-2 hours ago
    St. Clair County Circuit Judge Andrew Gleeson denied a pharmacy andpharmacist's motion to dismiss a woman's ...

    High Importance: Reminder from Oklahoma Board of Pharmacy--

    • Effective August 27, 2015 pharmacies may no longer compound non-patient specific sterile drugs for sale to physician offices or hospitals to administer. 
    • Effective November 1, 2015 all pharmacy license and pharmacy license renewal applications will be required to have an Oklahoma licensed pharmacist in the position of Pharmacist-in-Charge. 
    • Source: www ok gov/OSBP/Forms_for_Download/Pharmacies/index.html

    Prescription drug bust that involved doctors and dealers yields 52 convictions MLive.com‎ - 15 hours ago

    The many faces of prescription drug fraud T - HMS.com www.hms.com › HMS-Rx-for-Fraud

    Health care fraud issues. RX FOR FRAUD. The many faces of prescription drug fraud he numerous “patients” of Dr.

    India's Pharmaceutical Market Is Expected to Reach $55.39 Billion ...

    India's Pharmaceutical Market Is Expected to Reach $55.39 Billion ...
    Digital Journal-12 hours ago
    ... Novartis India Limited, Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus Health Services Pvt. Ltd. and National Institute of Pharmaceutical ...

    Absolute Pharmacy $120000 Financing. Joshua James Daniel Filed ...

    Absolute Pharmacy $120000 Financing. Joshua James Daniel Filed ...
    OctaFinance.com-7 hours ago
    Absolute Pharmacy, Llc, Limited Liability Company just had published form D because of $120,000 equity financing.