Trumm Drug

September 2008 Drug News

Medicare Coverage Gap Causes Some To Forego Rx Drugs: Study
When Medicare recipients face the entirety of their prescription drug costs, many cease to continue their medication, according to a new study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation along with researchers from two universities. Around 3.4 million patients covered under Medicare in 2007 reached a gap in coverage, known as the doughnut hole, which required them to pay $3,850 in prescription drug costs before again being eligible under “catastrophic coverage”. Of those 3.4 million, 15% responded by stopping medication treatments, with varying rates depending on illness. The Associated Press, Kaiser Family Foundation Press Release

Pharmacy in Internet Scheme Busted
Two Maryland pharmacy owners were convicted last month of illegally selling 10 million dosage units of hydrocodone over the Internet, laundering $20 million, and not paying taxes.

According to testimony during their six-week trial, Steven Abiodun Sodipo and Callixtus Onigbo Nwaehiri joined a nationwide conspiracy to illegally sell hydrocodone through the Internet to anyone with a credit card. They filled prescriptions e-mailed to them and signed by a small group of doctors who never saw or spoke to the customers. The defendants’ NewCare Pharmacy was paid $20 for each prescription it filled and shipped, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Baltimore said.

Medicare Drug Premiums To Increase About 12%: CMS
The typical Medicare beneficiary can expect to see about a $3 increase in their monthly premiums for prescription drug coverage in 2009, according to Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). Officials made the projection based on bids from private insurers that get the premiums along with a federal subsidy to administer the benefit. The increase of 12% will up the monthly premium to $28 for standard drug coverage. However, program costs remain lower than originally expected, according to CMS. The Associated Press/USA Today, CMS Press Release

Americans Want Overhaul Of Health System: Survey
More than 80% of Americans think the U.S. health system needs either fundamental change or a complete overhaul, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Access to care, better coordination between different health providers, and better flow of health information were among their chief complaints. Reuters

San Francisco Bans Pharmacy Tobacco Sales
San Francisco has become the first U.S. city to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in pharmacies. The ban, which takes effect Oct. 1, does not cover supermarkets and big box retailers.

Other California cities are weighing similar bans, but several proposed state-wide bans failed this year. Most Canadian provinces do not permit pharmacy tobacco sales.

---