PCMA SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dAzwCfbwoceriKsxcLDw

April 4, 2012

Forward

Archive

News for the PBM Industry

Featured Story

Republicans consider how to replace the PPACA
Republican lawmakers are considering ways to keep their promise to replace the PPACA if it is struck down by the Supreme Court. They are likely to propose retaining some popular parts of the law along with offering incentives to buy health insurance and capping malpractice awards, aides and lawmakers say. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/3)

Registration is now open for PCMA’s new Specialty Pharmacy Business Forum!
The SPBF will provide individuals and companies in the specialty pharmacy chain of commerce with exceptional educational and business networking opportunities. A unique aspect of the conference is "PCMA-Connect,” an online networking community that will give attendees the opportunity to search for, send messages to and request meetings with existing and potential business customers and partners. Visit PCMA's website to learn more about all of our 2012 events!

Legislative & Regulatory News

States terminate more Medicaid contracts for overprescribing
Responses to a data request from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, show that state officials are stepping up efforts to terminate Medicaid contracts with doctors who overprescribe opioid painkillers, antipsychotics and certain other medications. Pharmalot.com/Pharma Blog (4/3)

PBM Industry News

Express Scripts, Medco begin staff reorganization process
American City Business Journals/St. Louis (4/2)

CVS Caremark buys Health Net's Medicare pharmacy benefit unit
Zacks/Analyst Blog (4/4)

Drug Industry Spotlight

Ranbaxy begins shipment of generic cholesterol drug to U.S.
Ranbaxy Laboratories has started exporting cholesterol-lowering atorvastatin tablets from an FDA-approved plant in Mohali, India, for finished dosage formulations. Four years ago, the agency banned 30 generic Ranbaxy products because of manufacturing violations at three Indian facilities. Business Standard (India)/Press Trust of India (4/2)

FDA discovers another batch of fake Avastin
The FDA reported that a newly uncovered fake batch of Roche Holding's cancer drug Avastin does not contain active ingredient bevacizumab and is labeled as Altuzan, the authentic product's Turkish brand. "Packaging or vials found in the U.S. that claim to be Roche's Altuzan with lot number B6021 should be considered counterfeit," the agency said. Reuters (4/4)

Allergan loses patent dispute with Watson regarding Sanctura XR
A federal court invalidated several Allergan patents for overactive bladder drug Sanctura XR. The ruling allows Watson Pharmaceuticals' regulatory application for a generic version to potentially move forward. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (4/3)

SmartQuote

If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect."

--Benjamin Franklin,
American statesman and inventor

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

Contact PCMA

Charles Cote
Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications
(202) 207-3610

Follow PCMA on Twitter

About PCMA

PCMA is the national association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which administer prescription drug plans for more than 210 million Americans with health coverage provided through Fortune 500 employers, health insurance plans, labor unions, and Medicare Part D. PCMA is dedicated to enhancing the proven tools and techniques pioneered by PBMs that generate savings and access for consumers and payors.


	Recent PCMA SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 Monday, April 02, 2012 Friday, March 30, 2012 Thursday, March 29, 2012 Wednesday, March 28, 2012			Lead Editor: Melissa Turner Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004