From CBC News:
Three British Columbia residents are suing Pfizer, alleging the drug company's quit-smoking product Champix can cause serious psychiatric reactions.
Plaintiff Alicia Pickering, 34, said she was a normal, healthy woman until she started taking Champix to kick her smoking habit. Within days of starting the drug, the married mother of two experienced a dramatic change in personality and was consumed with thoughts of dying, she said.
"It literally felt like something had broken in my head," Pickering, of Sechelt, B.C., northwest of Vancouver, told CBC News. "Intense, severe depression overtook me. I would sit on the couch sobbing, not knowing why."
In a writ filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Pickering and two other B.C. residents claim Pfizer "negligently designed, tested, labelled, manufactured and marketed the drug to Canadians." According to the document, Pickering developed bipolar disorder after taking Champix. ...more
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Seniors take 5 drugs or more: study
From CBC News:
Almost two-thirds of Canadian seniors in six provinces are taking five or more types of prescription drugs, according to a new report.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information's study, covering the years 2002 to 2008, looked at public drug claims for more than one million people aged 65 or older in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
In 2008, 21 per cent of the seniors were using 10 or more types of prescription drugs and six per cent took 15 or more different classes of drugs. ...more
Almost two-thirds of Canadian seniors in six provinces are taking five or more types of prescription drugs, according to a new report.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information's study, covering the years 2002 to 2008, looked at public drug claims for more than one million people aged 65 or older in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
In 2008, 21 per cent of the seniors were using 10 or more types of prescription drugs and six per cent took 15 or more different classes of drugs. ...more
Teva to acquire Ratiopharm for $5B U.S.
From the Montreal Gazette:
Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's leading generic drug producer, is buying German-based Ratiopharm for $5 billion U.S., beating out Pfizer Inc. and Actavis Group.
Privately held Ratiopharm was put up for sale by the Merkle family of Germany last June and the nine-month auction process was finally completed Friday. Ratiopharm is a major German generic drug producer with subsidiaries in Canada and the U.S. The combined company will have annual sales of more than $16 billion U.S. Teva to acquire Ratiopharm for $5B U.S.
Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's leading generic drug producer, is buying German-based Ratiopharm for $5 billion U.S., beating out Pfizer Inc. and Actavis Group.
Privately held Ratiopharm was put up for sale by the Merkle family of Germany last June and the nine-month auction process was finally completed Friday. Ratiopharm is a major German generic drug producer with subsidiaries in Canada and the U.S. The combined company will have annual sales of more than $16 billion U.S. Teva to acquire Ratiopharm for $5B U.S.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
$75 million drug heist is bitter pill for Lilly
From the Indianapolis Star:
It was a brazen, well-planned break-in, straight out of "Mission: Impossible" -- but the loot wasn't gold bars or bundles of cash.
Thieves made off with $75 million worth of pharmaceutical drugs from an Eli Lilly and Co. warehouse in Enfield, Conn., the latest and perhaps largest in a rising string of industry thefts, raising questions about drug security and where the products will wind up.
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Early Sunday, under cover of darkness, bandits scaled the side of the building and cut a hole in the roof, rappelled inside on ropes, disabled the alarm and spent more than an hour loading pallets of drugs into a waiting vehicle at the loading dock.
"It wasn't a random, impulsive act," said Carl Sferrazza, police chief of Enfield.
Increasingly, pharmaceutical drugs are becoming a lucrative target of thieves, who are using more aggressive and sophisticated methods to break into warehouses, hijack trucks and make off with millions of dollars worth of painkillers, antidepressants and other popular drugs. ...more
It was a brazen, well-planned break-in, straight out of "Mission: Impossible" -- but the loot wasn't gold bars or bundles of cash.
Thieves made off with $75 million worth of pharmaceutical drugs from an Eli Lilly and Co. warehouse in Enfield, Conn., the latest and perhaps largest in a rising string of industry thefts, raising questions about drug security and where the products will wind up.
Advertisement
Early Sunday, under cover of darkness, bandits scaled the side of the building and cut a hole in the roof, rappelled inside on ropes, disabled the alarm and spent more than an hour loading pallets of drugs into a waiting vehicle at the loading dock.
"It wasn't a random, impulsive act," said Carl Sferrazza, police chief of Enfield.
Increasingly, pharmaceutical drugs are becoming a lucrative target of thieves, who are using more aggressive and sophisticated methods to break into warehouses, hijack trucks and make off with millions of dollars worth of painkillers, antidepressants and other popular drugs. ...more
Canadians slow to get approved medications
From the Vancouver Sun:
Canadians are not able to quickly access newly developed prescription medicines because of the slow drug approval process and delays by provincial drug plans in approving the medicines for reimbursement, according to a new study released Wednesday by a leading Canadian think-tank.
Mark Rovere, a policy analyst with the Fraser Institute, said it takes Health Canada about 13 months to approve new drugs as safe, but it takes another year for the provinces to make a decision on whether they will cover the drug.
Once drugs are approved by the federal authorities, most private insurers will cover them immediately, he said, but this leaves people that rely on provincial plans out in the cold.
"In the end, the provinces usually choose not to cover these drugs, leaving the one-third of Canadians who rely on provincial drug plans without access to most new medicines," he said. ...more
Canadians are not able to quickly access newly developed prescription medicines because of the slow drug approval process and delays by provincial drug plans in approving the medicines for reimbursement, according to a new study released Wednesday by a leading Canadian think-tank.
Mark Rovere, a policy analyst with the Fraser Institute, said it takes Health Canada about 13 months to approve new drugs as safe, but it takes another year for the provinces to make a decision on whether they will cover the drug.
Once drugs are approved by the federal authorities, most private insurers will cover them immediately, he said, but this leaves people that rely on provincial plans out in the cold.
"In the end, the provinces usually choose not to cover these drugs, leaving the one-third of Canadians who rely on provincial drug plans without access to most new medicines," he said. ...more
Woman forced to choose between cancer drug and bankruptcy
From the Hamilton Spectator:
Her kidneys ravaged by chronic disease and advanced cancer, Judy Pope had been doing remarkably well with a new drug.
For five years, the medicine had kept the Cambridge woman’s cancer under control.
But when her husband’s work insurance was changed to another provider, a cap on coverage put the expensive drug financially out of reach.
Pope and her husband Gary could not afford the monthly $3,200 cost of the medication on his modest income and her disability pension.
As well, the province’s program to help people with prescription drug costs denied applications for help.
Pope had no choice but to stop taking the drug that had kept her alive by slowing the growth of the kidney cancer. ...more
Her kidneys ravaged by chronic disease and advanced cancer, Judy Pope had been doing remarkably well with a new drug.
For five years, the medicine had kept the Cambridge woman’s cancer under control.
But when her husband’s work insurance was changed to another provider, a cap on coverage put the expensive drug financially out of reach.
Pope and her husband Gary could not afford the monthly $3,200 cost of the medication on his modest income and her disability pension.
As well, the province’s program to help people with prescription drug costs denied applications for help.
Pope had no choice but to stop taking the drug that had kept her alive by slowing the growth of the kidney cancer. ...more
Fight continues between pharmacists' association and Blue Cross
From the Fredericton (NB) Daily Gleaner:
The New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association has taken exception to what it feels is Medavie Blue Cross' advice that consumers should change their pharmacy if it no longer provides pay-direct service with the insurer.
"It's hard to comprehend a private insurer with health care and health care cost expertise advising that route for New Brunswickers," said the association's Executive Director Paul Blanchard, in a press release.
"It's simply inappropriate, unsafe and potentially very costly advice."
Blanchard said the situation arose when the reimbursement scheme under the contract between Medavie Blue Cross and New Brunswick pharmacies expired in January.
He said Medavie Blue Cross granted extensions of the reimbursement scheme to most community pharmacy owners, while staggering the negotiation of a new reimbursement model with selected owners or chains.
Blanchard said pharmacists are trained to provide continuity of care and are most effective in that role when they acquire knowledge of a client over time - something he feels would be jeopardized by patients switching pharmacies. ...more
The New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association has taken exception to what it feels is Medavie Blue Cross' advice that consumers should change their pharmacy if it no longer provides pay-direct service with the insurer.
"It's hard to comprehend a private insurer with health care and health care cost expertise advising that route for New Brunswickers," said the association's Executive Director Paul Blanchard, in a press release.
"It's simply inappropriate, unsafe and potentially very costly advice."
Blanchard said the situation arose when the reimbursement scheme under the contract between Medavie Blue Cross and New Brunswick pharmacies expired in January.
He said Medavie Blue Cross granted extensions of the reimbursement scheme to most community pharmacy owners, while staggering the negotiation of a new reimbursement model with selected owners or chains.
Blanchard said pharmacists are trained to provide continuity of care and are most effective in that role when they acquire knowledge of a client over time - something he feels would be jeopardized by patients switching pharmacies. ...more
Friday, March 12, 2010
B.C. pharmacies put cough medicine behind counters following a rash of teen overdoses
From the Vancouver Sun:
Some B.C. pharmacies are moving cough remedies containing Dextromethorphan — known as DM or DXM — behind the counter at the request of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. following a rash of intentional overdoses by teens.
In the last two weeks alone, four teenagers in the Victoria area have landed in treatment after overdosing.
DXM, a cough suppressant and pain reliever, is easily accessible at drugstores. Youth use it to get high by exceeding the recommended dose.
According to the College of Pharmacists, the prime recreational users of DXM are 14 to 15 — although there are reports that children as young as 10 also use the drug.
Signs will be placed on pharmacy shelves where cough remedies are kept directing purchasers to the dispensary for a consultation, college spokesman Marshall Moleschi said Wednesday. ...more
Some B.C. pharmacies are moving cough remedies containing Dextromethorphan — known as DM or DXM — behind the counter at the request of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. following a rash of intentional overdoses by teens.
In the last two weeks alone, four teenagers in the Victoria area have landed in treatment after overdosing.
DXM, a cough suppressant and pain reliever, is easily accessible at drugstores. Youth use it to get high by exceeding the recommended dose.
According to the College of Pharmacists, the prime recreational users of DXM are 14 to 15 — although there are reports that children as young as 10 also use the drug.
Signs will be placed on pharmacy shelves where cough remedies are kept directing purchasers to the dispensary for a consultation, college spokesman Marshall Moleschi said Wednesday. ...more
Canadian research links anti-depressants, cataracts
From the Montreal Gazette:
Some depression and anxiety drugs are associated with an increased risk of cataracts, new research shows.
According to the study in the journal Ophthalmology, British Columbia and Quebec researchers found a link between cataracts and some drugs in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
The study used a database of more than 200,000 Quebec residents over the age of 65.
Across Canada, pharmacies last year dispensed about 24 million prescriptions for SSRIs with a dollar value of $1.1 billion.
After adjusting for other risk factors including gender, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, the relative risk of having cataract surgery was 1.51 times greater for those taking fluvoxamine (Luvox).
For those taking venlafaxine (Effexor), the risk was 1.34 times higher and for those on paroxetine (Paxil) the risk was 1.23 times higher. ...more
Some depression and anxiety drugs are associated with an increased risk of cataracts, new research shows.
According to the study in the journal Ophthalmology, British Columbia and Quebec researchers found a link between cataracts and some drugs in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
The study used a database of more than 200,000 Quebec residents over the age of 65.
Across Canada, pharmacies last year dispensed about 24 million prescriptions for SSRIs with a dollar value of $1.1 billion.
After adjusting for other risk factors including gender, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, the relative risk of having cataract surgery was 1.51 times greater for those taking fluvoxamine (Luvox).
For those taking venlafaxine (Effexor), the risk was 1.34 times higher and for those on paroxetine (Paxil) the risk was 1.23 times higher. ...more
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Prescription for variety
From the Montreal Gazette:
Television viewers of a certain age will remember a Western called Have Gun, Will Travel. Louise Le May is no hired gun: she's a pharmacist. But like Paladin, the star of the long-running series, she does travel for work.
Le May works as a replacement pharmacist: instead of being based in a single pharmacy, she works in pharmacies around the province: she might be in Abitibi one week, in Drummondville and Richmond the next, in a pharmacy near Joliette the week after that.
Replacement pharmacists fill in for absent pharmacists, whether they're vacationing or ill or on maternity leave, or they simply help with the general pharmacist shortage in Quebec. Often they spend just a couple of days at a time at a particular pharmacy - and never longer than a couple of weeks.
Most of the time, they're hired, through agencies, by the pharmacies or the hospitals that need them. Longueuil-based Elitis Pharma, where Le May works, has a bank of 160 pharmacists who do replacement work. About 20, including Le May, are full-time Elitis employees. The rest work part-time on behalf of the agency. It might mean 25 or 30 hours for some each week and, for others, one weekend a month. Others, in turn, choose to work flat out over several months, then take a few months off to travel. ...more
Television viewers of a certain age will remember a Western called Have Gun, Will Travel. Louise Le May is no hired gun: she's a pharmacist. But like Paladin, the star of the long-running series, she does travel for work.
Le May works as a replacement pharmacist: instead of being based in a single pharmacy, she works in pharmacies around the province: she might be in Abitibi one week, in Drummondville and Richmond the next, in a pharmacy near Joliette the week after that.
Replacement pharmacists fill in for absent pharmacists, whether they're vacationing or ill or on maternity leave, or they simply help with the general pharmacist shortage in Quebec. Often they spend just a couple of days at a time at a particular pharmacy - and never longer than a couple of weeks.
Most of the time, they're hired, through agencies, by the pharmacies or the hospitals that need them. Longueuil-based Elitis Pharma, where Le May works, has a bank of 160 pharmacists who do replacement work. About 20, including Le May, are full-time Elitis employees. The rest work part-time on behalf of the agency. It might mean 25 or 30 hours for some each week and, for others, one weekend a month. Others, in turn, choose to work flat out over several months, then take a few months off to travel. ...more
A Rash Of Robberies
From the Calgary Herald:
After pharmacist Randy Howden was robbed at gunpoint twice last year by the same man, he had to make changes to his business.
First and foremost was a new security camera.
Then he installed signs at the front of his pharmacy and other secret security measures.
Adding security bars to the windows, though, seemed like too much.
"It's hard because you don't want to make your place look like Fort Knox and not welcoming. It's about trying to find that balance," says Howden, owner of The Medicine Shoppe on Crowfoot Crescent N.W. ...more
After pharmacist Randy Howden was robbed at gunpoint twice last year by the same man, he had to make changes to his business.
First and foremost was a new security camera.
Then he installed signs at the front of his pharmacy and other secret security measures.
Adding security bars to the windows, though, seemed like too much.
"It's hard because you don't want to make your place look like Fort Knox and not welcoming. It's about trying to find that balance," says Howden, owner of The Medicine Shoppe on Crowfoot Crescent N.W. ...more
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Drug deal in place
From the Halifax Chronicle Herald:
Medavie Blue Cross and Shoppers Drug Mart have called a truce in their war over how and how much customers pay for drugs.
The two companies announced Saturday that they had reached a tentative deal that would end the dispute that related to payments for generic drugs.
Talks were continuing, but Medavie said in a news release from Moncton that an agreement was in place that would see their cards accepted by Shoppers Drug Mart.
And Jeff May, senior vice-president of professional affairs for Shoppers Drug Mart, said the deal ensures customers can fill their prescriptions and not have to wait to be reimbursed.
"This tentative agreement will allow these pharmacies to maintain the level of service their patients have come to expect, including the electronic processing of Medavie Blue Cross payments," May said.
Details of the tentative agreement were not released. ...more
Medavie Blue Cross and Shoppers Drug Mart have called a truce in their war over how and how much customers pay for drugs.
The two companies announced Saturday that they had reached a tentative deal that would end the dispute that related to payments for generic drugs.
Talks were continuing, but Medavie said in a news release from Moncton that an agreement was in place that would see their cards accepted by Shoppers Drug Mart.
And Jeff May, senior vice-president of professional affairs for Shoppers Drug Mart, said the deal ensures customers can fill their prescriptions and not have to wait to be reimbursed.
"This tentative agreement will allow these pharmacies to maintain the level of service their patients have come to expect, including the electronic processing of Medavie Blue Cross payments," May said.
Details of the tentative agreement were not released. ...more
Friday, March 05, 2010
Sask. pharmacists to get dose of prescribing power
From CBC News:
Saskatchewan pharmacists will soon be allowed to provide services normally reserved for doctors, the province announced Wednesday.
Proposed changes to the Pharmacy Act, which could be in place by summer, would let pharmacists dispense drug refills when a doctor is on vacation and provide a limited supply of a prescribed medicine in an emergency.
"It'll cover pretty much every regular style prescription drug that, for example, they'll be able to extend if the patient runs out of their medication," Ray Joubert, the registrar of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists, explained at a news conference.
Pharmacists have lobbied the government for years for more leeway with prescription medicines.
"We have asthmatics coming in that need their medication," George Furneaux, a Regina pharmacist, told CBC News Wednesday. "They're late at night. They're having an asthma attack and our legal choice is not to be able to fill the prescription." ...more
Saskatchewan pharmacists will soon be allowed to provide services normally reserved for doctors, the province announced Wednesday.
Proposed changes to the Pharmacy Act, which could be in place by summer, would let pharmacists dispense drug refills when a doctor is on vacation and provide a limited supply of a prescribed medicine in an emergency.
"It'll cover pretty much every regular style prescription drug that, for example, they'll be able to extend if the patient runs out of their medication," Ray Joubert, the registrar of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists, explained at a news conference.
Pharmacists have lobbied the government for years for more leeway with prescription medicines.
"We have asthmatics coming in that need their medication," George Furneaux, a Regina pharmacist, told CBC News Wednesday. "They're late at night. They're having an asthma attack and our legal choice is not to be able to fill the prescription." ...more
An indispensable team member
From the Montreal Gazette:
As a pharmacy student interning at the Montreal General Hospital last summer, Alexandre-Jacques Amiel often followed the doctors on their rounds in the intensive-care unit.
He listened carefully as they examined patients and made their diagnoses. One afternoon, Amiel stood at the foot of the bed of a patient suffering from endocarditis, a potentially fatal heart infection.
The doctors weren't sure which medication to prescribe as a course of treatment. The debate went back and forth. So the 22-year-old Amiel screwed up the courage and recommended the ideal antibiotic.
And they listened to him.
"The doctors were having trouble deciding what kind of treatment they were going to give, and I felt like I had a very big impact with that antibiotic," recounted Amiel, who is in his third year at the Université de Montréal's undergraduate pharmacy program. ...more
As a pharmacy student interning at the Montreal General Hospital last summer, Alexandre-Jacques Amiel often followed the doctors on their rounds in the intensive-care unit.
He listened carefully as they examined patients and made their diagnoses. One afternoon, Amiel stood at the foot of the bed of a patient suffering from endocarditis, a potentially fatal heart infection.
The doctors weren't sure which medication to prescribe as a course of treatment. The debate went back and forth. So the 22-year-old Amiel screwed up the courage and recommended the ideal antibiotic.
And they listened to him.
"The doctors were having trouble deciding what kind of treatment they were going to give, and I felt like I had a very big impact with that antibiotic," recounted Amiel, who is in his third year at the Université de Montréal's undergraduate pharmacy program. ...more
Dispensing advice
From the Montreal Gazette:
Pharmacists these days are on the front line of health care - often the first health professionals people seek out for guidance.
"They don't want to go and sit for hours in a clinic or emergency room, so they come to us with questions," pharmacist Marc Rabbat said. "We do a sort of triage with them. We're not trained to diagnose diseases, but we're trained to look for certain symptoms."
Rabbat has been a pharmacist for 10 years. He is currently working at the Uniprix Pierre Gravel pharmacy at Plaza Pointe Claire.
Joelle Wizman has been a pharmacist for 25 years. She works at the Jean Coutu pharmacy on Monkland Avenue in Notre Dame de Grace.
"Some people don't have a family doctor, so they come to us for advice," Wizman said. "If they just have a cold, we can give them some guidance before they start to panic and then go clog the emergency rooms." ...more
Pharmacists these days are on the front line of health care - often the first health professionals people seek out for guidance.
"They don't want to go and sit for hours in a clinic or emergency room, so they come to us with questions," pharmacist Marc Rabbat said. "We do a sort of triage with them. We're not trained to diagnose diseases, but we're trained to look for certain symptoms."
Rabbat has been a pharmacist for 10 years. He is currently working at the Uniprix Pierre Gravel pharmacy at Plaza Pointe Claire.
Joelle Wizman has been a pharmacist for 25 years. She works at the Jean Coutu pharmacy on Monkland Avenue in Notre Dame de Grace.
"Some people don't have a family doctor, so they come to us for advice," Wizman said. "If they just have a cold, we can give them some guidance before they start to panic and then go clog the emergency rooms." ...more
Medavie, Shoppers Drug Mart can't reach deal; card will no longer be accepted at pharmacy
This could be an interesting situation. If Shoppers is able to win this battle, I would think they would try similar tactics in other provinces.
From the Fredericton (NB) Daily Gleaner:
Most Atlantic Canadian Shoppers Drug Marts will stop accepting the Medavie Blue Cross card for prescription drug payment next week.
Shoppers and Medavie have been unable to reach an agreement on a new payment schedule. This means people with a Blue Cross drug plan who go to Shoppers for their prescriptions will have to pay the full cost up front and seek reimbursement from Blue Cross later.
Medavie spokesman Mike Randall said there may be an easier way for people who don't want to make the trip to a Blue Cross Quick Pay outlet or send their reimbursement forms through the mail.
"The easiest and simplest way would be to head to another pharmacy close to you, ask the pharmacist to transfer the prescriptions and they'll take care of the rest," Randall said, adding there are still more than 600 pharmacies in Atlantic Canada that accept the card.
"Then there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for you and you'll get seamless continuous coverage."
Medavie Blue Cross has been in discussions with pharmacies in the Atlantic region over the past few months about introducing a new payment schedule "designed to reflect ongoing changes in prescription drug landscape in Atlantic Canada, and Canada, particularly with generic drugs," said Randall. ...more
Online medicine comes with risks
From the Montreal Gazette:
From clothing and books to groceries and dog food, it seems like you can buy just about anything online today.
But people looking to save a buck might get more trouble than they bargained for by purchasing medications and natural products online.
"If it seems too good to be true, it usually is," said Michel Caron, a pharmacist at Ordre des Pharmaciens du Quebec. "The risks of buying medications online are enormous."
Many websites claim to be selling brand name prescription drugs at discounted prices. The main problem, Caron said, is that people don't know what they're actually getting when they order medications from a website.
"There is a huge market for counterfeit drugs online," he explained. "These pills may resemble the genuine ones but many of them don't even contain medication; they're flour or sugar pills."
Some of the most popular counterfeit pills are lifestyle medications such as those for erectile dysfunction. ...more
From clothing and books to groceries and dog food, it seems like you can buy just about anything online today.
But people looking to save a buck might get more trouble than they bargained for by purchasing medications and natural products online.
"If it seems too good to be true, it usually is," said Michel Caron, a pharmacist at Ordre des Pharmaciens du Quebec. "The risks of buying medications online are enormous."
Many websites claim to be selling brand name prescription drugs at discounted prices. The main problem, Caron said, is that people don't know what they're actually getting when they order medications from a website.
"There is a huge market for counterfeit drugs online," he explained. "These pills may resemble the genuine ones but many of them don't even contain medication; they're flour or sugar pills."
Some of the most popular counterfeit pills are lifestyle medications such as those for erectile dysfunction. ...more
Pharmacies reporting slow supply of drugs
From the Swindon (UK) Advertiser:
A leading Swindon pharmacist has spoken out at a shortage of drugs which, it has been claimed, is a result of some healthcare organisations who have been selling UK drugs to Europe, where they can get a better price.
As a result, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society says urgent action is needed. They claim that patients’ lives are being put at risk and UK pharmacies are facing increasing shortages of drugs used to treat cancer, high blood pressure and epilepsy.
Richard Thomas, proprietor of a small chain of five pharmacies which include Park Lane Pharmacy, Old Town Pharmacy and Toothill Pharmacy, which are part of the Hatch Ride Holdings, has become increasingly aware of the problems in sourcing some expensive drugs.
He said: “My pharmacists have been experiencing severe difficulties in obtaining certain drugs from the wholesalers. Naturally, we cannot keep each and every medicine in stock, so we rely on express ordering. ...more
A leading Swindon pharmacist has spoken out at a shortage of drugs which, it has been claimed, is a result of some healthcare organisations who have been selling UK drugs to Europe, where they can get a better price.
As a result, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society says urgent action is needed. They claim that patients’ lives are being put at risk and UK pharmacies are facing increasing shortages of drugs used to treat cancer, high blood pressure and epilepsy.
Richard Thomas, proprietor of a small chain of five pharmacies which include Park Lane Pharmacy, Old Town Pharmacy and Toothill Pharmacy, which are part of the Hatch Ride Holdings, has become increasingly aware of the problems in sourcing some expensive drugs.
He said: “My pharmacists have been experiencing severe difficulties in obtaining certain drugs from the wholesalers. Naturally, we cannot keep each and every medicine in stock, so we rely on express ordering. ...more
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Oxycodone boom hits Manitoba
From CNews:
A few years ago people were worried crystal meth would invade Manitoba the way it did some U.S. states, which became ridden with addicts, fatal overdoses and clandestine labs.
It didn’t happen to that extent, thankfully.
But a different drug has creeped in without the hoopla and warnings, and is quickly becoming an abused drug of choice, especially for middle-class Manitobans.
The oxycodone boom is here.
Law enforcement and support workers say the continuous busts by police and rising number of addicts seeking treatment or overdosing on the highly-addictive prescription painkillers are proof, and they’re worried things will get worse if more isn’t done to educate people about the risks and signs. ...more
A few years ago people were worried crystal meth would invade Manitoba the way it did some U.S. states, which became ridden with addicts, fatal overdoses and clandestine labs.
It didn’t happen to that extent, thankfully.
But a different drug has creeped in without the hoopla and warnings, and is quickly becoming an abused drug of choice, especially for middle-class Manitobans.
The oxycodone boom is here.
Law enforcement and support workers say the continuous busts by police and rising number of addicts seeking treatment or overdosing on the highly-addictive prescription painkillers are proof, and they’re worried things will get worse if more isn’t done to educate people about the risks and signs. ...more
Wrong Prescription Filled at Walgreens Pharmacy Costs Company $33 Million Following Death of Woman
From Drugwatch:
In 2002, a Walgreens pharmacy filled a woman’s prescription for warfarin, a medication used to prevent blood clots, at 10 times the recommended dosage, a mistake that eventually caused her death. On February 26, 2010, Walgreens was ordered to pay $33.3 million to the woman’s surviving family.
Beth Hippely took her prescription for 1 milligram tablets of warfarin (sold under brand names such as Coumadin) to a Polk Country, Florida Walgreens pharmacy, where a 19-year-old pharmacy technician filled her prescription with 10 mg tables of the medication.
Hippely took the medication for several weeks before she experienced severe headaches, a brain hemorrhage and paralysis. Prior to her death, Hippely’s only form of communication was blinking her eyes. ...more
In 2002, a Walgreens pharmacy filled a woman’s prescription for warfarin, a medication used to prevent blood clots, at 10 times the recommended dosage, a mistake that eventually caused her death. On February 26, 2010, Walgreens was ordered to pay $33.3 million to the woman’s surviving family.
Beth Hippely took her prescription for 1 milligram tablets of warfarin (sold under brand names such as Coumadin) to a Polk Country, Florida Walgreens pharmacy, where a 19-year-old pharmacy technician filled her prescription with 10 mg tables of the medication.
Hippely took the medication for several weeks before she experienced severe headaches, a brain hemorrhage and paralysis. Prior to her death, Hippely’s only form of communication was blinking her eyes. ...more
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