New privacy concerns over Obamacare health care website

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

New privacy concerns over health care website

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/20/health-overhaul-privacy/22035873/

Washington — The government’s health insurance website is quietly sending consumers’ personal data to private companies that specialize in advertising and analyzing Internet data for performance and marketing, the Associated Press has learned.

The scope of what is disclosed or how it might be used was not immediately clear, but it can include age, income, ZIP code, whether a person smokes, and if a person is pregnant. It can include a computer’s Internet address, which can identify a person’s name or address when combined with other information collected by sophisticated online marketing or advertising firms.

The Obama administration says HealthCare.gov’s connections to data firms were intended to help improve the consumer experience. Officials said outside firms are barred from using the data to further their own business interests.

There is no evidence that personal information has been misused. But connections to dozens of third-party tech firms were documented by technology experts who analyzed HealthCare.gov and then confirmed by AP. A handful of the companies were also collecting highly specific information.

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We don’t worry about “small potatoes” ?

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

Meth Drone Crop.jpg

DEA: Narco-drones not major smuggling concern, but could help set up attacks on agents

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/01/22/dea-narco-drones-not-major-smuggling-concern-but-could-help-set-up-attacks-on/

Given that the drone that crashed was only carrying six pounds – worth up to $100,000 in some parts of the country – the DEA’s Barden, however, said law enforcement agents are more interested in hunting down larger shipments.

Anyone willing to put out a couple of grand to buy a high end drone that could return 100,000 on that investment ?  Amazon is playing with deliveries by drone.. so is Dominos with pizza.. the potential for using this technology is virtually endless..

Just imagine.. these cartels get a small army of these high end drones.. could have a 30-60 minutes flying time.. that can be programmed to fly  by GPS to a specific Lat/Long..  They sit on the south side of our border and once the sun sets… they start launching these drones with < 10 lbs of some highly profitable illegal drugs.. and they start flying north to a receiver. .. a few hundred feet off the ground  – under radar detection – automatically flying to a specific geographic spot… Waiting there was someone with freshly charged battery packs… changed out the battery pack and reprograms to return from where it came… to repeat the cycle for most of the night or until they run out of freshly charged batteries.  How many drones with $100,000 or more value of illegal drugs each could be transported just in one over night 12 hr period.?

Presuming that a SINGLE DRONE would make one round trip in 60 minutes.. each drone could transport > $1,000,000 worth of illegal drugs over one single night.. You do the math what a dozen or multiple dozens of drones could transport .. SMALL POTATOES ?

Check out this site if you are interested in finding the perfect drone for you, for recreational purposes of course.

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The DEA now has to approve clinical trials for MMJ ?

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

Carly’s Law gets UAB approval, still needs OK from DEA

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/27909006/carlys-law-gets-uab-approval-still-needs-ok-from-dea

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) – The Carly’s Law study is one step closer to beginning.

On Wednesday, the UAB Institutional Review Board approved the research but they still the need the Drug Enforcement Administration’s approval.
Dustin Chandler, who is Carly’s father, is hopeful they will approve it.
This process has been going on for a year. In April 2014, Governor Robert Bentley signed Carly’s Law into affect. It then had to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and there were some delays. Then it went to UAB’s review board.

Carly’s Law would allow research CBD oil, a marijuana-derived oil, and how it treats seizures. Chandler’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease in 2012, which is what made him and his family fight for this research.

“Just being able to get to this point where you can get the medicine and provide that hope is really what we’ve been looking for, is to get tho this point. It’s been so long and we’ve waited so long just to get to this point to be able to say the patients out there that may need it, that were able to try it and see if it works,” Chandler said.

Officials say patients have to be referred by a doctor to participate in the study. Chandler said several hundred people are on a waiting list to be a part of it.

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Judicial system once against working on opinions rather than facts ?

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

Judge dismisses indictment against doctor

http://www.starbeacon.com/news/judge-dismisses-indictment-against-doctor/article_6142f042-a1b0-11e4-8249-03edf0c4d65d.html

JEFFERSON — A judge has dismissed charges against a former Andover doctor. for issuing illegal prescriptions

County common pleas Judge Alfred Mackey on Tuesday threw out the grand jury indictment against Dr. Shannon Swanson, a former physician at St. Joseph’s Andover Medical Center who was charged with 52 counts of illegal prescription issuance and drug trafficking. Swanson was accused of writing prescriptions for acquaintances without diagnosis and who were not active patients.

A dismissal motion filed by Swanson’s attorneys Thursday argues that Swanson received nothing in return for the prescriptions she wrote, which were given to “individuals she came to know during the course of her medical practice, with the intent to help the individual.”

“A material element of the (drug trafficking) offense is that the defendant ‘knowingly sold or offered to sell’ the controlled substance named in the indictment,” the motion states, adding that those who received the prescriptions — who were never interviewed by law enforcement officials — all claimed Swanson was never compensated.

This created a “defect” in the prosecution, through which the indictment could legally be dismissed, the motion states.

During an unscheduled interview in October 2013 with Ohio State Pharmacy Board Agent William Edwards,

Swanson claimed she issued the drugs as a way to help acquaintances who were in between physicians, or were former patients.

“This is a new kind of thing for me. Normally, you’re dealing with people getting something in exchange for giving out the drugs,” Edwards was quoted in the motion. “You weren’t getting anything in exchange.”

 

 

 

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Walgreens sued by customer who claims it gave him wrong medication -OPS !

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

walgreens2

Walgreens sued by customer who claims it gave him wrong medication

http://louisianarecord.com/news/265918-walgreens-sued-by-customer-who-claims-it-gave-him-wrong-medication

GRETNA – A corporate pharmacy is being sued by a customer who claims he experienced health problems after being given medication meant for another customer.

Marvin Smith filed suit against Walgreens Family of Companies and Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Nov. 7.

Smith claims that he had a prescription filled at the Walgreens located at 678 Terry Parkway in Terrytown on Oct, 17, 2013. The plaintiff alleges that when he picked up his prescription he believed it had been filled properly and he began taking the medication. However, a few days after receiving the medication Smith contends he began experiencing medical problems and noticed that the medication was for another customer.

The defendant is accused of failing to properly fill the prescription and failing to have proper safeguards and prevent medication errors.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and anguish, medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life.

Smith is represented by attorney Mark D. Spears Jr. of Marrero.

The case has been assigned to Division O Judge Ross P. LaDart.

Case no. 744-121.

 

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Is this how the DEA decides on a medication’s schedule ?

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

magic8ball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.raps.org/Regulatory-Focus/News/2015/01/21/21128/DEA-Scheduling-Process-Targeted-by-Legislators-Hoping-to-Speed-up-Drug-Approvals/

As explained by Regulatory Focus last year, the bill would make changes to the US Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) scheduling process under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The 1970 law is, along with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, the backbone of drug regulation in the US. Specifically, the law permits DEA regulators to “schedule” drugs they believe might be misused or abused.
So the it would appear that the scheduling of medication by the DEA is devoid of FACTS.. just OPINIONS … how scientific !

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When all else fails.. have the customer arrested for trespassing..

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

stevemailbox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is not the first time that I have been told my a chronic pain pt that they were threaten with being arrested for trespassing because they were trying to get their meds filled and never raised their voice, got hostile or threatening to the staff.. In all my years practicing pharmacy the only time that I had the police escort someone out of the store is when they tried to pass a forged Rx on me.  I am confused.. I read on some of these Pharmacist blogs and Face Book pages that Rx dept employees are routinely being verbally abused and sometimes physically abused and they are apparently expected by management to just stand there and take it..  Some even report that the “disgruntled customer” will even get a gift card to compensate them for being disgruntled.. I may be missing something here… you arrest the passive pt and reward the hostile pt. I must have missed that chapter in some book on how to build a successful business.

Dear Steve,
My name is xxxxx   and I came across a website called http://nationalpainreport.com/ and found you at the bottom of the page with your email address and thought maybe you can point me in the right direction or even give me some useful information.
To try and make a long story short Im 28yrs of age and got into a bad car accident in June, 2012. Following that accident I went through the normal BS and eventually ended up having 3 surgeries with fusion on my l4-l5 & my l5-S1, my last surgery was about 6 months ago. I would say that the last surgery did give me back the use of my left leg but besides that the pain in my back is real and still there.
So I live in Florida and they are very strict on dispensing pain medication. I have tried everything under the sun and what has work best for me has been Fentanyl Patches since my last surgery. I obviously did not start on something like Fentanyl and my Dr seems to think my body has a very unique way of getting rid of the medications in my system quickly so many of the other meds we tried never even held back or relieved the pain. Also he tells me these are a lot easier to fill instead of suppose Oxycontin which has a really bad name for itself.I am not someone sitting around waiting for government checks to come in. I work 11 hr days for 4 days a week seated doing computer work, I pay a mortgage and would say these patches have given me some part of my normal life back but it still a work in progress to become stronger in my back and mentally dealing with waking up in pain.
I normally fill my prescriptions at Walmart and I would get the same BS from them until I wrote a letter to Walmart Corp and the Area Pharmacist called me and we spoke regarding the issue and he called the store and gave this very nice manager an OK or something.
So I haven’t had any issues filling it until last week. She has been on leave around 2 months now and from what the other pharmacist are telling me is that the medication has been ordered but the order is not coming in. I made sure to send another letter to Corp and Corp again responded by telling the person in charge to keep me posted on when they get the medication so I don’t think they are holding it this time.
So I ended up going threw cold turkey withdrawal missing 4 days of work until one pharmacist said he had 1 pack of 5 he could fill but it would void the initial quantity of 15. He also informed me that my doctor may not fill the prescription for another 30 days and for me to call the Dr first.Spoke with the Dr. and he was ok with providing me another script as long as I brought in the 5 the pharmacy gave me to prove to him it was only filled for 5. So after throwing up, non stop number 2, chills, heat and blurry vision I got the pack of 5 yesterday and still feel a bit sick today.
After meeting with my doctor today and getting another script for the remaining Patches because the previous voided the remaining I went to Walgreens that I’ve been denied Time after Time again even right out of surgery. I decided to record on my iPhone them telling me NO and maybe I would have something I could show to someone that they discriminate against my disability, Age or race. Well that lead to the pharmacist that told me know before to immediately jump away from camera view and call the manager. In my mind I was thinking I can’t go through those withdrawal symptoms again I need to try to stand up for myself or something I don’t know what I was thinking. I waited there telling the pharmacist that I would leave if she just told me that she did not have them or was denying giving them to me. I was very quite and patient did not raise my voice or cause any type of trouble just stood there. In the end the police showed up and escorted me out of the Walgreens and I emotionally lost it. They where very nice and issued me the minimum Trespassing form which stats I’m not welcome back there. I have no idea what I’m going to do in six days when the only 6 day supply I have left runs out.
If you have any advice, recommendations, or information how all this works I would really appreciated it.

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Help Wanted: RESPONSIBLE PHARMACIST – just not in charge ?

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

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http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/hea/4855853186.html

The Pharmacist assures the safe, appropriate and legal dispensing of pharmaceuticals, monitors drug therapy, maintains inventory and provides consultation services to medical providers, dental providers, clinic staff, and patients in accordance with the State of Washington Department of Licensing and professional scope of practice. The Pharmacist will be recorded as the “responsible manager” in accordance with Washington State Board of Pharmacy and will ensure that the pharmacy complies with all the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy. The Pharmacist is responsible for and supervises the day-to-day operational activities of assigned pharmacy site. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the pharmacy and ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained. This position provides management and supervision to designated staff.

This is from the REQUIRED EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS….

Education
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy.

Preferred:
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree.

How the hell do you get a BS Pharm or a PharmD degree without graduating HIGH SCHOOL or equivalent ?

Since the vast majority of PharmD’s are <40… is this a clue that this entity may be practicing age discrimination in their hiring practices ?

Does this suggest how in tune the person who put these job requirements and job description together.. really have any idea of what being a Pharmacist actually entails…?

 

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Walgreens Steps Up Restructuring, Will Sell Home Infusion Business

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

costcutting

Walgreens Steps Up Restructuring, Will Sell Home Infusion Business

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2015/01/20/walgreens-restructuring-escalates-with-sale-of-infusion-business/

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced its first major divestiture under new leadership, signing a deal to sell a majority stake in its infusion business to private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners.

The fate of the infusion business has been a topic of speculation in recent months as Walgreens looks to cut $1 billion in costs as part of its acquisition of European drugstore chain Alliance Boots. The home infusion business has about 4,700 employees, 89 infusion pharmacies and 110 alternate treatment sites in 40 states and is a leader in the market. 

Why would the “leader in the market” sell off a majority stake in a business… Isn’t that what Walgreens did when it purchased a share in Boots .. which ended up the “hunted” became the “hunter” and since the final merge.. a good deal of those in the e-suite.. are no longer there.

So how does a company look to cut costs/expenses… could it be that this division of Walgreens was losing money.. otherwise.. does it make sense to sell off a profitable division to cut costs.

 

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DEA agent used woman’s seized phone to set up bogus Facebook page

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Pharmaciststeve

Feds pay $134k to woman whose ID was used on Facebook

DEA agent used woman’s seized phone to set up bogus Facebook page

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Feds-pay-134k-to-woman-whose-ID-used-by-DEA-on-6027904.php

The U.S. Justice Department will pay $134,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a Watertown woman whose identity and personal photos were used by a DEA agent to set up a fake Facebook page using her name as part of a drug investigation.

Sondra Arquiett, also known as Sondra Prince, filed a lawsuit two years ago claiming her civil rights were violated when the DEA agent, Timothy Sinnigen, seized her mobile phone and used it to set up a Facebook page after Arquiett was arrested on drug charges in July 2010. The Justice Department said Sinnigen posed as Arquiett on the Facebook page, exchanged messages with her friends and invited people to be “friends,” including a fugitive he was trying to arrest.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/dea-settles-fake-facebook-profile-lawsuit-without-admitting-wrongdoing/

Richard Hartunian, the US attorney for the northern district of New York, said in a statement that the settlement “demonstrates that the government is mindful of its obligation to ensure the rights of third parties are not infringed upon in the course of its efforts to bring those who commit federal crimes to justice.” He said the deal “also takes into account emerging personal privacy concerns in the age of social media, and represents a fair resolution of plaintiff’s claims.”

The government admitted no wrongdoing.   Looks like the DEA is taking a page out of CVS’ playbook.. just pay the fine and admit no wrongdoing.

 

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