Tag: National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
Momentum grows in PBM pushback
October 6, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A new class action lawsuit filed against Caremark is the latest move in the fight to rein in the “revenue grab” of pharmacy benefit managers, says the National Community Pharmacists Association.
The NCPA is not a named party in the lawsuit, which was filed Sept. 27, but has helped educate the law firms behind it, says Anne Cassity, senior vice president of government affairs at association.
“These (pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration...
In brief: Belluscura makes moves, Numotion launches SpinKids, Cigna pays up
October 6, 2023HME News Staff
LONDON and PLANO, Texas – Belluscura has announced a possible acquisition and has made a change to its executive leadership.
Belluscura has reached an agreement with TMT Acquisitions, a London-based acquisition vehicle in the technology, media and telecommunications sector, on the key terms of a possible share-for-share offer for the company, in a deal that would be valued at EUR 6 million. Belluscura will use the deal, which includes a $100,000 break-up fee, to help grow its portable...
Indie pharmacies fill void
October 4, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Nearby independent community pharmacies largely anticipate being able to help patients of major chain pharmacies who are left scrambling by closed stores or reduced hours, according to a new survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association. Forty-three percent of survey respondents say they are located near a major pharmacy chain store that’s implementing cost-cutting measures. Of those, nearly 90% say they are able to absorb and provide care for patients who...
In brief: Philips refutes claims, MA premiums remain stable, NCPA supports CVS lawsuitÂ
September 29, 2023HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM – Philips disagrees with “characterizations” in recent articles that the company knew for several years about problems with certain ventilators and sleep apnea devices.
ProPublica and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sept. 27 published an article saying that Philips knew about a dangerous breakdown inside its widely used ventilators and sleep apnea machines but waited years before recalling the devices in 2021.
In a statement, Philips said it had previously...
NCPA supports class action filed against CVS
September 28, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association applauded a class action lawsuit filed against CVS Health, Caremark and Aetna that aims to recoup millions of dollars in wrongful back-end penalties for Medicare Part D prescriptions, otherwise known as pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees.
“It’s payback time,” said B. Douglas Hoey, CEO. “Finally, community pharmacies have a chance to recover DIR fees that were unfairly taken. PBMs have...
Pharmacy groups highlight new audit on PBMsÂ
August 22, 2023HME News Staff
WEST LINN, Ore. - The Oregon State Pharmacy Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association support the Oregon Health Authority’s recommendation that the state “should enact legislation that focuses on patient and pharmacy protections and increasing transparency in the prescription drug supply chain.” The recommendation, which was part of the state’s recent audit report on PBMs, builds on a 2022 report OSPA released in collaboration with 3 Axis Advisors that...
NCPA names finalists for student competitionÂ
July 25, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has announced that teams of pharmacy students from the University of Georgia, University of South Carolina and University of Texas have been named finalists in the 2023 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. The three teams will present their business plans in a live competition on Oct. 14, 2023, at the NCPA Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., and the winning team will be announced on Oct....
In brief: Inogen buy, UPitt grant, telehealth decrease
July 14, 2023HME News Staff
GOLETA, Calif. - Inogen has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Physio-Assist SAS, a privately held company based in France that makes a technology-enabled airway clearance device called Simeox, for $32 million.
Simeox has been cleared under CE mark in the EU and is currently being sold in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“This acquisition aligns with our strategy to diversify our portfolio to globally improve patient lives through respiratory care,” said...
NCPA announces 2023 keynote speakers
July 12, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has announced the two keynote speakers for its 2023 Annual Convention, including Pete Lovatt, PhD, a cognitive psychologist who co-founded the Movement in Practice Academy.
The two keynote speakers for the convention, which takes place Oct. 14-17 in Orlando, Fla., are:
Peter Lovatt, PhD, is a cognitive psychologist who will speak during the First General Session on Sunday, Oct. 15. He co-founded the Movement...
In brief: Enos Home Medical makes acquisition, pharmacies meet with FTC commishÂ
July 5, 2023HME News Staff
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Enos Home Medical has expanded its footprint in northern Massachusetts and reinforced its focus on the hospice market with a recent acquisition of “significant DME assets” in the area, says Jon Enos.
The acquisition better positions Enos Home Medical to “meet current dynamic market conditions and today’s ever-changing medical landscape,” the company says.
“We are excited to be able to reach even more hospice patients in the...