drug manufacturers

ALSO NOTED: US drugmakers face financial downgrades next year; Providers getting on board with NPI quickly; and much more...

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Next year could be a grim one financially for U.S. drug manufacturers, who can expect to see their credit ratings drop thanks to patent expirations, generic competition and regulatory challenges. FiercePharma

> Last week, it was death and chaos all around. But this week, providers have made tremendous strides in using the National Provider Identifier number correctly on Medicare and Medicaid claims. FierceHealthFinance

> In Canada, one in nine patients show up at the ED because of medication problems. Blog

> The Wall Street Journal officially takes note of the obvious--that family doctors are a scarce commodity. Blog

And Finally... Here's baby Dillon, showing us that under the right circumstances, even a routine echocardiogram can be blindingly cute. Video

Express Scripts pays $9.5M settlement over drug switching

Wed, 28 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts has agreed to pay a total of $9.5 million to 28 states and the District of Columbia to settle allegations that it engaged in deceptive prescription-switching practices. The attorneys general involved had been investigating the company, arguing that Express Scripts switched patients to brand-name cholesterol drugs in an attempt to maximize the volume rebates it got from drug manufacturers. While patients were told they'd benefit from the switch, they actually ended up incurring some expenses from the change, according to the Pennsylvania AG's office. In signing the agreement, the company didn't admit any wrongdoing.

Under the terms of the settlement, Express Scripts agrees that it no longer will solicit patient drug switches if the cost exceeds that of the original script, if the original drug has a generic equivalent while the switch doesn't, if the original drug's patent will expire in six months, or if the patient was switched within the last two years. Express scripts also agreed to disclose any financial incentives it may have for soliciting a prescription switch and to reimburse patients for any related costs they might incur.

To learn more about the settlement:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
Express Scripts-CVS battle for Caremark heats up
Express Scripts cuts out some Pfizer drugs

SPOTLIGHT: FDA can't manage foreign drugmaker inspections

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:59:52 -0400

A new report from the Government Accountability Office has concluded that the FDA doesn't have the resources to properly inspect foreign companies that manufacture drugs or drug ingredients. At present, the FDA can only inspect 8 percent of the more than 3,000 foreign companies that ship such items to the U.S., the GAO told Congress this week. Article