The National Community Pharmacists Association loudly applauded a class action lawsuit filed against vertically consolidated CVS Health, Caremark and Aetna that aims to recoup millions of dollars for independent pharmacies in what the lawyers say are wrongful back-end penalties for Medicare Part D prescriptions, otherwise known as pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees. “It’s payback time,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey. “Finally, community pharmacies have a chance to recover DIR fees that were unfairly taken. PBMs have been gaming the system for a long time and it’s time to turn the tables.” The lawsuit, announced today by the law firms Berger Montague PC and Cohen & Gresser LLP, claims that Caremark – the largest pharmacy benefit manager in the country and [...]

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and its advisors recommended Tuesday that everyone age 6 months and older receive at least one dose of updated COVID-19 vaccines. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech on Monday. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available at major pharmacies later this week. In the coming months, the guidelines are expected to include vaccines by Novavax and any others authorized by FDA; the Novavax vaccine may serve as a good alternative for individuals who cannot receive mRNA vaccines like those made by Moderna and Pfizer. According to information submitted to CDC's advisory panel, Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax intend to charge $120 to $130 per dose [...]

LANSING – The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) will host the 13th annual Medication Disposal Event on the south lawn of the Michigan Capitol Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The general public is encouraged to drop off their unused, unwanted or expired medications from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the medication disposal tent. Curbside drop-off will also be available on South Capitol Avenue between Michigan Avenue and Allegan Street. Held in conjunction with the MPA’s annual Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, this event allows participants to safely and responsibly dispose of medications, including controlled substances and narcotics. Those attending the event will have the opportunity to learn more about what the state and MPA are doing to curb the opioid epidemic, [...]

Four national pharmacy organizations blasted an Aug. 15 decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals allowing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to escape certain state regulations in Oklahoma by hiding behind the alleged preemption of that law by federal ERISA and Medicare Part D laws. The National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, American Pharmacies and the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association jointly signed on as amici to defend Oklahoma’s 2019 law regulating PBMs. The PBM lobby, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, challenged the law in federal court. In 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma largely upheld the law. PCMA appealed only four of the 13 originally challenged provisions. [...]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a second opioid overdose reversal agent for over-the-counter, nonprescription use. ReVive, a 3-milligram naloxone hydrochloric nasal spray from Harm Reduction Therapeutics Inc., was given the green light by the FDA on July 28. The new spray will be available in early 2024 primarily to state governments and harm reduction organizations nationwide at "costs lower than other opioid antagonist nasal sprays," according to the company. At least 200,000 doses will be made available at no cost. In March, the FDA approved Narcan, a 4-milligram naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter use. Read more (subscription required)