Providers Must Prep Now for Future Public Health Emergencies

By Rob Dewig, Vice President, Healthcare Solutions: Another natural disaster on the news. Buildings and homes destroyed. Flooded streets making safe travel impossible. Power and communications compromised. And, on top of all that, a public health emergency for which affected health systems are ill-prepared. It could be next year, next month or even sometime next week, but it’s a likely future scenario according to the American Society of Health System Pharmacists’ (ASHP) 2024 Pharmacy Forecast.

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There's No Single Cause Behind The Overdose Epidemic

There’s a reason you see and hear so much about fentanyl; its potency as an opioid is surpassed only by its ability to damage public health when illicitly manufactured, distributed and misused. But, with stories of fentanyl-fueled tragedy dominating the news, it’s easy to overlook the fact that our nation’s health faces a significant threat from another, very close-at-hand source -- the diversion of drugs stored at home. A look at available data, however, reveals how “loss of custody” of medications at the household level is contributing to the current health emergency.

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Challenges for Pharmacy in 2024

Last fall I joined Inmar Intelligence because of the great opportunity to work with an organization that is a healthcare, technology and media company uniquely positioned to help stakeholders successfully navigate the healthcare ecosystem. With the NACDS Annual Meeting drawing near, I’m compelled to share the key market forces that are informing Inmar’s strategy going forward. Our priorities will continue to evolve and I am excited to gain more insights from our customers and partners during NACDS Annual.

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A call for disruption and innovation in retail Rx

In preparing for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting this year, I find myself thinking about the myriad opportunities reshaping retail pharmacy, including overcoming declining margins, winning expansion of pharmacist provider status, and leaning into consumer needs and value-based care. As I do so, I keep coming back to the guiding principle that we have been entrusted by our investors to create value by delivering patient safety, access and affordability in health care.

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Understanding DSCSA: Insights for All Dispensers

The article discusses how the DSCSA impacts medication dispensers, emphasizing compliance to protect patient safety and maintain supply chain integrity. It covers pharmaceutical crime, counterfeit drug risks, key DSCSA measures like product serialization, and stresses technology's role in ensuring authenticity. Compliance with regulations is crucial for a secure healthcare environment.

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DIR reform in 2024: One step forward, two steps back

The article delves into the advancements and obstacles facing Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) reform in 2024 within the pharmacy sector. It outlines the move from retroactive to upfront DIR fees, the financial pressures on pharmacies, and initiatives to broaden the scope of pharmacy services. Despite certain improvements like clawback elimination, the transition has introduced cash flow difficulties and decreased transparency. The article underscores the significance of comprehending and managing these reforms to bolster pharmacy viability and promote value-based care endeavors.

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Successful Returns Management Starts With An Effective Returns Policy

Establishing a clear and consistent returns policy is an absolute requirement for any drug- or device-maker committed to successfully mitigating the financial liability attached to product flowing back through the supply chain.

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The Push for Healthcare Price Transparency: Will Pharmacies See a Benefit?

By Jason Murry, Senior Director, Healthcare Sales: Recent passage of the Lower Costs, More Transparency (LCMT) Act in a bipartisan vote by the U.S. House of Representatives is being heralded by the bill’s sponsors as “landmark legislation,” but is it really? The bill -- which is a long way from becoming law -- is focused on the very politically popular issue of lowering prescription drug prices for consumers. But where is the benefit for pharmacies?  

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What does the future hold for retail media?

Leah Logan: Expect a shift from retail media standardization to transparency.  As brands continue to invest more in retail media, they’re looking for a consistent way to talk about and measure performance across the multiple retail media networks — to determine where to invest their budgets. While both brands and retailers see standardization at some level as a necessary step in the evolution of retail media, more complex metrics will be needed to provide rationale for how one RMN is differentiated from another. 

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