From the Telegraph (UK):
The protesters will drink large quantities of homeopathic fluids to illustrate their claim that the potions are too diluted to have any impact on the body.
Homeopathy has grown from an obscure alternative remedy to become a multi-million pound industry in the UK, with Prince Charles among its high-profile advocates.
But critics say there is little scientific backing for its claims to ease conditions including asthma, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and depression.
Campaigners have already lobbied for the NHS to reduce its £4 million annual spend on homeopathic remedies and are now targeting Boots for profiting from what they claim is an "unscientific and absurd pseudoscience".
The Boots protests planned for later this month have been organised by campaign called 10:23, which grew out of the Merseyside Skeptics Society, a group of rationalist thinkers.
They will take place on high streets in Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham, Southampton and London, with sympathy protests in Australia, Canada and the United States. ...more
Showing posts with label world pharmacy news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world pharmacy news. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Boots hit by mass homeopathy 'overdose'
There is mention of a "sympathy protest" in Canada. Has anyone heard if this has happened?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Drug prescriptions unreliable: officials
From Viet Nam News:
Around 73 per cent of doctors’ prescriptions have not been properly checked, nor have patients been properly advised on drug prices and potential side-effects, health officials said yesterday during a conference held in Ha Noi.
According to the Ministry of Health’s Examination and Treatment Management Department’s deputy director Cao Hung Thai, the main reason for the situation was a serious shortage of pharmacists nationwide.
"Technically, pharmacists are in charge of consulting and guiding patients how to use medicine effectively, safely and properly at reasonable costs. They play an important role in medical treatment," Thai said.
However, many patients still purchase drugs without professional consultations as the number of pharmacists at hospitals and health clinics remains inadequate and their professional skills are limited. ...more
Around 73 per cent of doctors’ prescriptions have not been properly checked, nor have patients been properly advised on drug prices and potential side-effects, health officials said yesterday during a conference held in Ha Noi.
According to the Ministry of Health’s Examination and Treatment Management Department’s deputy director Cao Hung Thai, the main reason for the situation was a serious shortage of pharmacists nationwide.
"Technically, pharmacists are in charge of consulting and guiding patients how to use medicine effectively, safely and properly at reasonable costs. They play an important role in medical treatment," Thai said.
However, many patients still purchase drugs without professional consultations as the number of pharmacists at hospitals and health clinics remains inadequate and their professional skills are limited. ...more
NHS faces 'potentially serious problems' from wrong prescriptions on the NHS
From the Telegraph (UK):
Junior doctors on average fill out five or six prescription forms during their whole time in medical school only to have to complete dozens on their first day on the wards.
The inadequate preparation helps contribute to almost one in 10 prescriptions containing errors that could harm patients, it was said.
Now the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) is calling on the doctors to take an exam called the National Prescribing Assessment before being qualified.
They also want a "prescribing simulator" to be introduced to the curriculum so that medics are better prepared when they start in hospitals.
Professor Simon Maxwell, chairman of the BPS, said: "Everybody thinks that the system should and can be overhauled.
"We would not accept this kind of error rate in other industries such as aviation. It is a recipe for problems." ...more
Junior doctors on average fill out five or six prescription forms during their whole time in medical school only to have to complete dozens on their first day on the wards.
The inadequate preparation helps contribute to almost one in 10 prescriptions containing errors that could harm patients, it was said.
Now the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) is calling on the doctors to take an exam called the National Prescribing Assessment before being qualified.
They also want a "prescribing simulator" to be introduced to the curriculum so that medics are better prepared when they start in hospitals.
Professor Simon Maxwell, chairman of the BPS, said: "Everybody thinks that the system should and can be overhauled.
"We would not accept this kind of error rate in other industries such as aviation. It is a recipe for problems." ...more
Turkish govt cancels all deals with pharmacists after strike
From World Bulletin:
Turkish government cancelled all deal with pharmacists days after nation-wide strike over drug prices.
Turkish Pharmacists Union (TEB) declared that Social Security Organization (SGK), which unilaterally cancelled the medicine provision contract, would be "responsible" for inaccessibility to medicine for people with social security after January 10.
Pharmacists across Turkey, responding to a call by TEB --the sole authority to sign collective medicine provision deals with government-- closed their pharmacies for one day on December 4, in protest of medicine price cuts, despite SGK's warning that it would cancel the deal. ...more
Turkish government cancelled all deal with pharmacists days after nation-wide strike over drug prices.
Turkish Pharmacists Union (TEB) declared that Social Security Organization (SGK), which unilaterally cancelled the medicine provision contract, would be "responsible" for inaccessibility to medicine for people with social security after January 10.
Pharmacists across Turkey, responding to a call by TEB --the sole authority to sign collective medicine provision deals with government-- closed their pharmacies for one day on December 4, in protest of medicine price cuts, despite SGK's warning that it would cancel the deal. ...more
Monday, August 31, 2009
500 pharmacists training to give jabs for swine flu
From the Herald (Ireland):
Around 500 pharmacists have now signed up to a training programme which would enable them to administer the swine flu vaccine.
The Health Service Executive has not yet indicated whether pharmacists will be involved in the planned flu vaccination programme.
However, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) said it believed that "it would be prudent to allow as wide a range of health professionals as possible to address the challenges that face us this winter."
A spokesperson said that the IPU would hope that pharmacists would be included in the plan for administration of the swine flu vaccine to the public in the coming months.
"In Portugal, 40pc of all seasonal flu vaccines are administered by pharmacists. In the US, pharmacists have been involved in vaccinations since the mid-1990s," she said. ...more
Around 500 pharmacists have now signed up to a training programme which would enable them to administer the swine flu vaccine.
The Health Service Executive has not yet indicated whether pharmacists will be involved in the planned flu vaccination programme.
However, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) said it believed that "it would be prudent to allow as wide a range of health professionals as possible to address the challenges that face us this winter."
A spokesperson said that the IPU would hope that pharmacists would be included in the plan for administration of the swine flu vaccine to the public in the coming months.
"In Portugal, 40pc of all seasonal flu vaccines are administered by pharmacists. In the US, pharmacists have been involved in vaccinations since the mid-1990s," she said. ...more
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Pharmacists urged back to work
From the Irish Times:
The Irish Pharmacy Union this evening urged pharmacists to resume normal services immediately “in the interests of patient safety.”
In a statement this evening, the IPU said they were urging members to return to work “in order to prevent a recurrence of the chaotic scenes of yesterday and last week, and in light of commitments made by the Minister in recent statements.”
The union’s executive is holding an emergency meeting in Dublin this evening to discuss the ongoing dispute.
IPU president Liz Hoctor said some of the issues at stake had not been resolved and warned that further disruption to services was almost inevitable if they were not. ...more
The Irish Pharmacy Union this evening urged pharmacists to resume normal services immediately “in the interests of patient safety.”
In a statement this evening, the IPU said they were urging members to return to work “in order to prevent a recurrence of the chaotic scenes of yesterday and last week, and in light of commitments made by the Minister in recent statements.”
The union’s executive is holding an emergency meeting in Dublin this evening to discuss the ongoing dispute.
IPU president Liz Hoctor said some of the issues at stake had not been resolved and warned that further disruption to services was almost inevitable if they were not. ...more
Monday, August 10, 2009
Chinese dispensaries puzzled by legal revision
From Asahi.com:
Purveyors of Chinese herbal medicines--and their long-time mail-order customers-- are up in arms over a revised law that took effect June 1 banning sale of such medicines through the mail or online.
Advocates say the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law must be amended to allow the continued mail-order sales of Chinese herbal medicines.
Classified in the same category as drugs that carry a medium risk of side effects, medicines such as Chinese remedies, common cold medicines and analgesic fever reducers must now be sold over the counter by pharmacists or other specialists.
Like before the revision, buyers don't need a prescription.
In general, the only mail order or online sales of OTC drugs now permitted are items that have few side effects, such as vitamins and elixirs for stomach upsets. ...more
Purveyors of Chinese herbal medicines--and their long-time mail-order customers-- are up in arms over a revised law that took effect June 1 banning sale of such medicines through the mail or online.
Advocates say the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law must be amended to allow the continued mail-order sales of Chinese herbal medicines.
Classified in the same category as drugs that carry a medium risk of side effects, medicines such as Chinese remedies, common cold medicines and analgesic fever reducers must now be sold over the counter by pharmacists or other specialists.
Like before the revision, buyers don't need a prescription.
In general, the only mail order or online sales of OTC drugs now permitted are items that have few side effects, such as vitamins and elixirs for stomach upsets. ...more
Dispensing with the niceties
From the Irish Times:
The pharmacy dispute over the State drugs scheme is already leaving many people with chronic conditions stranded, but its potential impact could yet be greater
This day last week, the ongoing pharmacy dispute began, with the withdrawal of several hundred pharmacies from the State drugs scheme, the system that issues prescriptions to medical card holders and those on the drugs payment scheme. Prior to the dispute, 1,521 pharmacies had a contract with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to dispense these prescriptions.
At its core, the dispute is about money. Last year, participating pharmacists were paid a total of €540 million to dispense drugs under the community drugs scheme. As part of an ongoing series of cutbacks, the Government decided to reduce the payments it made to pharmacies to carry out this service.
Towards the end of last month, Minister for Health Mary Harney declared that even with the new cuts in payments from the Government, participating pharmacies would still keep a margin of 25 per cent on the drugs they dispensed.
“I believe that pharmacists will still continue to be adequately rewarded for the huge skill that they bring in dispensing medicines to our patients,” she said. ...more
The pharmacy dispute over the State drugs scheme is already leaving many people with chronic conditions stranded, but its potential impact could yet be greater
This day last week, the ongoing pharmacy dispute began, with the withdrawal of several hundred pharmacies from the State drugs scheme, the system that issues prescriptions to medical card holders and those on the drugs payment scheme. Prior to the dispute, 1,521 pharmacies had a contract with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to dispense these prescriptions.
At its core, the dispute is about money. Last year, participating pharmacists were paid a total of €540 million to dispense drugs under the community drugs scheme. As part of an ongoing series of cutbacks, the Government decided to reduce the payments it made to pharmacies to carry out this service.
Towards the end of last month, Minister for Health Mary Harney declared that even with the new cuts in payments from the Government, participating pharmacies would still keep a margin of 25 per cent on the drugs they dispensed.
“I believe that pharmacists will still continue to be adequately rewarded for the huge skill that they bring in dispensing medicines to our patients,” she said. ...more
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Nurses and pharmacists to be given off-label prescribing rights
From Pulse (UK):
Exclusive: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is planning a controversial change in the law to allow nurses and pharmacists to prescribe off-label treatments, in a move that has split prescribing experts.
The UK drug regulator says it expects regulations to change by the end of the year, but critics say the move could expose patients to potentially dangerous treatments.
It is the latest in a series of developments to loosen the rules surrounding non-medical prescribing, coming just weeks after Pulse revealed proposals to extend prescribing rights to physiotherapists, dieticians and chiropodists.
The MHRA now says it wants to ‘regularise’ restrictions on prescribers and allow prescribing nurses and pharmacists the same freedoms as doctors.
Such a change will require the Home Office and the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs to alter Misuse of Drugs Regulations - but the Government has already accepted the recommendations, made by the MHRA’s Commission on Human Medicines. ...more
Exclusive: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is planning a controversial change in the law to allow nurses and pharmacists to prescribe off-label treatments, in a move that has split prescribing experts.
The UK drug regulator says it expects regulations to change by the end of the year, but critics say the move could expose patients to potentially dangerous treatments.
It is the latest in a series of developments to loosen the rules surrounding non-medical prescribing, coming just weeks after Pulse revealed proposals to extend prescribing rights to physiotherapists, dieticians and chiropodists.
The MHRA now says it wants to ‘regularise’ restrictions on prescribers and allow prescribing nurses and pharmacists the same freedoms as doctors.
Such a change will require the Home Office and the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs to alter Misuse of Drugs Regulations - but the Government has already accepted the recommendations, made by the MHRA’s Commission on Human Medicines. ...more
Thursday, August 06, 2009
PU claims 'widespread' problems
From the Irish Times:
Pharmacists have reported “widespread” problems for patients today as they sought to have prescriptions filled under a HSE contingency plan to deal with the withdrawal of hundreds of pharmacists from State schemes.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said there were “major problems” today in Mayo, Donegal, Carlow, Waterford, north Dublin, Wexford, Kerry, Offaly, Clare and Galway.
In response, the HSE said its temporary dispensing facilities were “busy but manageable” over the course of the day.
Hundreds of pharmacists have withdrawn from operating the State drug schemes, including the medical card and long-term illness schemes, in protest at the Government's decision to cut fees by €133 million over a full year. Up to a dozen temporary dispensing centres have been established by the HSE to help fill the shortfall in supply caused by the pharmacists’ action.
But the IPU claimed today the contingency measures are inadequate, that many patients are facing delays of up to eight hours to have prescriptions filled and that the HSE pharmacies do not have some medications in stock. ...more
Pharmacists have reported “widespread” problems for patients today as they sought to have prescriptions filled under a HSE contingency plan to deal with the withdrawal of hundreds of pharmacists from State schemes.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said there were “major problems” today in Mayo, Donegal, Carlow, Waterford, north Dublin, Wexford, Kerry, Offaly, Clare and Galway.
In response, the HSE said its temporary dispensing facilities were “busy but manageable” over the course of the day.
Hundreds of pharmacists have withdrawn from operating the State drug schemes, including the medical card and long-term illness schemes, in protest at the Government's decision to cut fees by €133 million over a full year. Up to a dozen temporary dispensing centres have been established by the HSE to help fill the shortfall in supply caused by the pharmacists’ action.
But the IPU claimed today the contingency measures are inadequate, that many patients are facing delays of up to eight hours to have prescriptions filled and that the HSE pharmacies do not have some medications in stock. ...more
Pharmacy condemns codeine decision
From Pharmacy News (AU):
Tighter controls on over-the-counter codeine combinations will not address the problem of misuse of the products and will put significant pressure on pharmacists, say the profession's peak bodies.
Both the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) have expressed disappointment with the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC) decision to upschedule OTC combination analgesics containing codeine (CACC) to Schedule 3 in a bid to address concerns of misuse and abuse of the products.
The Guild said the scheduling changes would only mask the problem and were unlikely to influence individual misuse behaviour.
It said it was regrettable that the committee rejected its proposal to adopt real-time monitoring and reporting of these products through its NotifyRx technology, calling it a "missed opportunity". ...more
Tighter controls on over-the-counter codeine combinations will not address the problem of misuse of the products and will put significant pressure on pharmacists, say the profession's peak bodies.
Both the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) have expressed disappointment with the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC) decision to upschedule OTC combination analgesics containing codeine (CACC) to Schedule 3 in a bid to address concerns of misuse and abuse of the products.
The Guild said the scheduling changes would only mask the problem and were unlikely to influence individual misuse behaviour.
It said it was regrettable that the committee rejected its proposal to adopt real-time monitoring and reporting of these products through its NotifyRx technology, calling it a "missed opportunity". ...more
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Pharmacists in 7 cities strike in defiance of association leadership
From the Jordan Times:
Hundreds of pharmacies outside the capital observed a four-hour work stoppage on Sunday to protest a sales tax on pharmaceuticals, despite calls by the Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPhA) to call off the strike.
“All” pharmacies in Mafraq, Ajloun, Karak and Salt decided to ignore the JPhA council and shut their doors from 8:00am until noon, according to association activists.
Moreover, around 90 per cent of pharmacies in Zarqa, Jerash and Madaba also joined the work stoppage, according to Malik Saad Maaitah, an activist from the JPhA’s Zarqa branch.
On Saturday, JPhA President Taher Shakhshir issued a statement calling on all pharmacies to refrain from closing their doors on the grounds that an agreement with the government over the controversial law was imminent.
But the JPhA council decision did not sit well with the leaders of some JPhA branches, who decided to act on their own, according to Maaitah. ...more
Hundreds of pharmacies outside the capital observed a four-hour work stoppage on Sunday to protest a sales tax on pharmaceuticals, despite calls by the Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPhA) to call off the strike.
“All” pharmacies in Mafraq, Ajloun, Karak and Salt decided to ignore the JPhA council and shut their doors from 8:00am until noon, according to association activists.
Moreover, around 90 per cent of pharmacies in Zarqa, Jerash and Madaba also joined the work stoppage, according to Malik Saad Maaitah, an activist from the JPhA’s Zarqa branch.
On Saturday, JPhA President Taher Shakhshir issued a statement calling on all pharmacies to refrain from closing their doors on the grounds that an agreement with the government over the controversial law was imminent.
But the JPhA council decision did not sit well with the leaders of some JPhA branches, who decided to act on their own, according to Maaitah. ...more
Monday, July 27, 2009
Ireland “set for pharma supply crisis from Aug 1”
From Pharma Times:
Patients enrolled in Ireland’s Community Drugs Schemes may have difficulty getting their prescriptions filled from August 1, as more than 1,100 community pharmacists have said they will stop dispensing medicines under the SchemesHSE from that date.
The pharmacists’ action follows following a move by Mary Harney, the Minister for Health and Children, to cut payments to pharmacists under the Schemes by 34%. Early this week, the Health Service Executive (HSE), which is responsible for providing health and personal social services for everyone living in the Republic, will publish information on its website and in newspapers on pharmacies that will be open for Schemes business. The Executive has also urged the pharmacists to reconsider their decision.
The HSE's chief pharmacist, Kate Mulvenna, said: “we are asking pharmacists who have chosen to terminate their contract to assist us in ensuring minimal disruption to patients who need access to their medications. By handing over prescription records to their clients, on request, and by identifying to the HSE patients who may require extra supports, pharmacists can help ensure that their clients can continue to access their medications." ...more”
Patients enrolled in Ireland’s Community Drugs Schemes may have difficulty getting their prescriptions filled from August 1, as more than 1,100 community pharmacists have said they will stop dispensing medicines under the SchemesHSE from that date.
The pharmacists’ action follows following a move by Mary Harney, the Minister for Health and Children, to cut payments to pharmacists under the Schemes by 34%. Early this week, the Health Service Executive (HSE), which is responsible for providing health and personal social services for everyone living in the Republic, will publish information on its website and in newspapers on pharmacies that will be open for Schemes business. The Executive has also urged the pharmacists to reconsider their decision.
The HSE's chief pharmacist, Kate Mulvenna, said: “we are asking pharmacists who have chosen to terminate their contract to assist us in ensuring minimal disruption to patients who need access to their medications. By handing over prescription records to their clients, on request, and by identifying to the HSE patients who may require extra supports, pharmacists can help ensure that their clients can continue to access their medications." ...more”
Swine flu fears prompt run on UK pharmacies
From CNN.com:
Pharmacies in England are reporting a run on supplies like surgical masks, thermometers and anti-bacterial gels by customers concerned about swine flu amid a surge in the number of people infected by the virus.
In some cases, drug stores in England say they are out of the items and may not get more in for weeks or months.
"People are very panicked," said a pharmacy assistant at Zafash Pharmacy in southwest London. "That's why everyone is running for thermometers, surgical masks, and anti-bacterial gels."
The UK's Department of Health estimated this week that there were around 100,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the week ending July 17 -- nearly double the number of cases for the previous seven days. ...more
Pharmacies in England are reporting a run on supplies like surgical masks, thermometers and anti-bacterial gels by customers concerned about swine flu amid a surge in the number of people infected by the virus.
In some cases, drug stores in England say they are out of the items and may not get more in for weeks or months.
"People are very panicked," said a pharmacy assistant at Zafash Pharmacy in southwest London. "That's why everyone is running for thermometers, surgical masks, and anti-bacterial gels."
The UK's Department of Health estimated this week that there were around 100,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the week ending July 17 -- nearly double the number of cases for the previous seven days. ...more
Staff shake-up at pharmacies seen as cure
From the Standard (HK):
The city's 500 pharmacies and dispensaries may be required to have full-time pharmacists - instead of them being present for just a third of their business hours - under a looming overhaul of the industry.
Under current laws, a pharmacy need only have a pharmacist working 6.7 hours if it is open for business 10 hours a day.
But members of a top-level committee, formed after a spate of drug contamination blunders that have killed six people, have reached a consensus that fully staffed pharmacies is the way to go, The Standard has been told.
The government proposal means dispensaries will have to create an additional shift for a pharmacist. ...more
The city's 500 pharmacies and dispensaries may be required to have full-time pharmacists - instead of them being present for just a third of their business hours - under a looming overhaul of the industry.
Under current laws, a pharmacy need only have a pharmacist working 6.7 hours if it is open for business 10 hours a day.
But members of a top-level committee, formed after a spate of drug contamination blunders that have killed six people, have reached a consensus that fully staffed pharmacies is the way to go, The Standard has been told.
The government proposal means dispensaries will have to create an additional shift for a pharmacist. ...more
Miracle diet pill alli sold to slim women by chemists
From the Times (UK):
High street chemists are selling a new over-the-counter diet pill to women who do not have weight problems, a report has claimed.
During an investigation into the fat-busting drug alli, Which?, the consumer magazine, found that half of independent pharmacies approved the sale to researchers who did not need it.
Trials have showed that adding alli to a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet can help people to lose 50 per cent more fat than by dieting alone. Alli aids weight loss by blocking absorption of fat from food into the body. However, licensing conditions for the tablets, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, stipulate the drug should only be sold to overweight people with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or above.
Two weeks after the pill went on sale in May in chemists’ shops, Which? sent seven undercover researchers to 32 outlets, including small chains and retailers such as Boots and Lloyds. ...more
High street chemists are selling a new over-the-counter diet pill to women who do not have weight problems, a report has claimed.
During an investigation into the fat-busting drug alli, Which?, the consumer magazine, found that half of independent pharmacies approved the sale to researchers who did not need it.
Trials have showed that adding alli to a reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet can help people to lose 50 per cent more fat than by dieting alone. Alli aids weight loss by blocking absorption of fat from food into the body. However, licensing conditions for the tablets, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, stipulate the drug should only be sold to overweight people with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or above.
Two weeks after the pill went on sale in May in chemists’ shops, Which? sent seven undercover researchers to 32 outlets, including small chains and retailers such as Boots and Lloyds. ...more
Planet Pharmacy to open 750 outlets
From Trade Arabia:
Planet Pharmacy, a Dubai-based pharmacy retailer, is set to launch 250 pharmacies across the UAE and over 500 in Saudi Arabia by 2012, making it the largest pharmacy chain in the Middle East.
The company, which is a joint venture between Julphar and the private equity division of Global Investment House, will open pharmacies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi by December this year.
The pharmacies, to be named Health First, will be launched with the objective of growing to be the market leader in the pharmaceutical retail business across the region.
John Makepeace, chief executive of Planet Pharmacy, said: “Planet Pharmacy and its Health First stores have a vision of becoming the biggest and most trusted pharmacy brand in the Middle East within the next three years.” ...more
Planet Pharmacy, a Dubai-based pharmacy retailer, is set to launch 250 pharmacies across the UAE and over 500 in Saudi Arabia by 2012, making it the largest pharmacy chain in the Middle East.
The company, which is a joint venture between Julphar and the private equity division of Global Investment House, will open pharmacies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi by December this year.
The pharmacies, to be named Health First, will be launched with the objective of growing to be the market leader in the pharmaceutical retail business across the region.
John Makepeace, chief executive of Planet Pharmacy, said: “Planet Pharmacy and its Health First stores have a vision of becoming the biggest and most trusted pharmacy brand in the Middle East within the next three years.” ...more
Pharmacists in Bahrain Oppose Draft Law
From the Khaleej Times:
A draft law giving businessmen right to open pharmacies in Bahrain has been rejected by pharmacists.
The Bahrain Pharmacists Society at an extraordinary meeting held last week called upon parliament not to pass the bill to protect economic interests of its members.
The current law regulating working of pharmacies was issued in 1997 and allows only Bahrainis with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy to open a pharmacy. The proposed bill allows investors from various nationalities to enter the business. ...more
A draft law giving businessmen right to open pharmacies in Bahrain has been rejected by pharmacists.
The Bahrain Pharmacists Society at an extraordinary meeting held last week called upon parliament not to pass the bill to protect economic interests of its members.
The current law regulating working of pharmacies was issued in 1997 and allows only Bahrainis with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy to open a pharmacy. The proposed bill allows investors from various nationalities to enter the business. ...more
Monday, July 06, 2009
HSE paying pharmacists full price for discounted drugs
This sounds similar to generic rebates in Canada...
From the Irish Business News:
Pharmacists are being offered discounts of as much as 80 per cent off the list price they invoice the Health Service Executive (HSE) for certain medicines. Discounts of 40, 50 and 60 per cent on bulk purchases by pharmacies were not uncommon.
Documents seen by this newspaper show major discounts being offered to pharmacists on a wide range of some of the most commonly used medicines, including antibiotics, painkillers and anti-cholesterol drugs, by pharmaceutical companies.
A document written by one pharmaceutical company clearly illustrated the potential saving to pharmacists.
It outlined how the pharmacy could invoice the HSE just over €4,000 for a large batch of anti-depressants under an agreed contract with the state, but the pharmacist could avail of discounts enabling it to purchase them for just over €1,000. ...more
Pharmacist doles out bitter pill
From Express Buzz:
All he needed was two tablets to save his mother which would cost him more than Rs 2. But, Rafeeq Ahmed, had not bargained for the rude shock that life was waiting to throw back at him. On reaching the pharmacy, Rafeeq realised that he had forgotten to take his wallet.
As his need was urgent, Rafeeq requested the pharmacist to give him the tablets and he would pay later, but the pharmacist refused to oblige.
A desperate Rafeeq tried to snatch the tablets and left his watch behind at the counter but the pharmacist caught him and beat him up leaving him with a fractured jaw.
Rafeeq had to shell out Rs 70,000 for his surgery and now wants to sue the pharmacist. He has filed a complaint with the Hennur police on Friday. ...more
All he needed was two tablets to save his mother which would cost him more than Rs 2. But, Rafeeq Ahmed, had not bargained for the rude shock that life was waiting to throw back at him. On reaching the pharmacy, Rafeeq realised that he had forgotten to take his wallet.
As his need was urgent, Rafeeq requested the pharmacist to give him the tablets and he would pay later, but the pharmacist refused to oblige.
A desperate Rafeeq tried to snatch the tablets and left his watch behind at the counter but the pharmacist caught him and beat him up leaving him with a fractured jaw.
Rafeeq had to shell out Rs 70,000 for his surgery and now wants to sue the pharmacist. He has filed a complaint with the Hennur police on Friday. ...more
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