How enforceable are company policies regarding personal electronic communications?
There is no reason to differentiate compensation or enforcement of
policies based on gender alone, as a female pharmacist and a large
pharmacy chain have learned.
A recent case that equates a pharmacist’s mistake with manslaughter
also raises the question of pharmacy technician responsibility.
New federal guidelines address compliance procedures when protected health information is disclosed in an unauthorized manner.
In order to clarify the current controversy surrounding the dispensing
of emergency contraception, the Washington State case and recent FDA
activity must be examined.
It is very expensive to provide treatment for patients during their
last 6 months of life. Should the U.S. adopt a policy of health care
rationing to control soaring costs?
Crime is on the rise, with thieves going directly to the source to
steal drugs. Several recent incidents raise the question, what is
considered excessive force when protecting the pharmacy?
Several states have adopted laws that prevent the disclosure of
prescriber-identifiable data. Has the tide turned in favor of
protecting the privacy of prescribing patterns?
What impact will Wyeth v. Levine have on drug labeling and public health?
When a judge has an alleged conflict of interest in a matter before
the court, who decides if he or she should be excused from the case?
If patients can’t make a good faith effort to return unwanted drugs without a lot of bureaucratic hassle, what should they do with them?
In late December 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) issued a set of regulations prohibiting individuals or legal
entities that accept
any money from federal programs from discriminating against those who refuse to engage in any form of behavior they deem offensive.
In the past few months, the federal government has issued two sets of
rules regarding the use of computers and related technologies governing
the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances.
As of September 1, 2008, there are 37 states in the United States that permit the use of the death penalty for individuals who have committed the most heinous of crimes.
The simple apology, "I'm sorry," while well intended at the time a health practitioner realizes something went wrong and caused the patient a problem, may be taken as evidence of guilt in a malpractice case.
Although not the first time the industry has attempted self-policing, on July 10, 2008, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade group representing traditional research-oriented drug companies and biotechnology firms, announced revised guidelines that will impact how manufacturers market prescription medicines to health care professionals.
The advantages of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) should be obvious to everyone. E-prescriptions can save time and money for prescribers, pharmacies, and patients.
Get ready for some new legal duties regarding patient safety and error reporting.
Have you ever wondered how well the FDA is doing at protecting the American public from harmful drugs?
The sorcerer leaves his apprentice alone in the workshop tidying up...
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