Most Clicked FMI Pharmacy dailyLead Stories
1. Pharmacist shortage spurs higher salaries for new grads
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 05, 2009
Pharmacists continue to be in high demand, especially in rural areas, driven by an ongoing shortage, an aging population in need of skilled advice and increasing demand for pharmaceuticals. Retail pharmacies and hospitals are competing for new pharmacy grads, who often receive big signing bonuses along with six-figure salaries. Hartford Courant (Conn.), The (01/05)
2. Walgreen innovates to stay profitable
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 05, 2009
Walgreen President Gregory D. Wasson talks to The New York Times about what his company is doing to try to remain profitable as the economy takes its toll on drugstores. In Florida, he says, the chain is centralizing the administrative work and filling of prescriptions to cut costs. New York Times, The (01/02)
3. Safeway takes charge of employee health
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 05, 2009
Safeway is rolling out a number of new programs to support its corporate wellness and health care plans. One program, Healthy Measures, offers employees discounts on insurance premiums if they are within certain limits on smoking, obesity, blood pressure and cholesterol. San Francisco Chronicle (01/04)
4. Wegmans, Giant offer free antibiotics
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 07, 2009
Wegmans will fill nine generic oral antibiotic prescriptions for free until March 31. Giant Food also is filling antibiotic prescriptions for free until March 21. WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, N.Y.) (01/07) American City Business Journals (01/06)
5. Professor warns of nut allergy "anxiety"
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 05, 2009
Harvard professor Dr. Nicholas Christakis is questioning whether precautions related to nut allergies are disproportionate to the problem and fueling a sense of panic. "You have to distinguish between an epidemic of diagnoses and an epidemic of allergies," he says. TIME (01/04)
6. Pfizer open to acquiring other Big Pharma firms, CEO says
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 05, 2009
Pfizer CEO Jeff Kindler said the company may purchase a major drugmaker to boost its financial performance. "We are always open to opportunities to enhance licensing, alliances and acquisitions, but whatever we do -- small or large -- has to meet the criteria of shareholder value," Kindler said. The move could spur additional consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry. Financial Times (01/04)
7. Walgreen's sales boosted by demand for the basics
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 06, 2009
Walgreen saw same-store sales rise in December, driven by demand for necessities such as food, drinks and paper products. The retailer is redesigning stores and recently hired a chief marketing officer. Washington Post, The (01/05)
8. Osteoporosis drug linked to jaw condition
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 02, 2009
The risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw from pills with bisphosphonates is higher than previously thought. Bisphosphonates are used by people with osteoporosis to lower the risk of bone fractures and boost bone mass. HealthDay News (01/01)
9. Experts warn of dangers from third-hand smoke
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 05, 2009
Massachusetts General Hospital physicians coined the term "third-hand smoke" to describe the invisible mixture of gases and particles that cling to clothing, hair, furniture and carpeting. Their study found that third-hand smoke poses a health risk for infants and young children but that many adults are unaware of the danger. New York Times, The (01/02)
10. U.S. spent $2.2 trillion for health care in 2007
FMI Pharmacy dailyLead | Jan 06, 2009
U.S. spending for health care in 2007 rose 6.1% to $2.2 trillion, marking the lowest rate of growth since 1998, researchers concluded. More affordable generic medicines and drug-safety issues contributed to the drop, but out-of-pocket spending increased 5.3% from 2006, according to the report. Reuters (01/06) Washington Post, The (01/06)
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