The Columbus Dispatch - Powered by Dow Jones· Darrel Rowland | US | June 26, 2022·12:00am After overcoming a communications snafu, the agency that provides health coverage for Ohio's poor and disabled seems on a glide path to throwing out controversial pharmacy benefit managers accused of gouging Ohio taxpayers and pharmacists. But a key question remains: Will those PBMs ever pay a price for possible illegalities over the past several years? After six months of investigating, state Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran says she's still not sure the agency will ever get to the bottom of complex machinations by PBMs on the price and access of prescription drugs for some 3 million of Ohio's most vulnerable. "Our work is not done," [...]

Walmart Inc (WMT.N) said last week it would increase the average pay of pharmacy workers to more than $20 per hour and offer more frequent and automatic pay raises as part of a new "progressive wage model" to address a tight domestic labor market. The raises by the nation's largest private employer will be offered to more than 36,000 Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacy technicians beginning this week, the company said in a blog post. Starting pay will remain the same, however, ranging from $15 to $22.50, a company spokesperson said, with certified technicians starting at $16.50 and higher. The announcement marks the second pay increase over the past year for Walmart technicians, who last received hikes of at least $1 to [...]

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will boost enforcement and scrutiny against drug rebates that could block patient access to cheaper pharmaceuticals shortly after the agency announced a probe into pharmacy benefit managers. The agency issued Thursday an enforcement policy statement (PDF) that targets rebates and fees which can prohibit competitors from targeting lower-cost drug alternatives. FTC outlined what rebates or fees could spark a move against a PBM or other intermediary, which could potentially result in fines or penalties. “Today’s action should put the entire prescription drug industry on notice: when we see illegal rebate practices that foreclose competition and raise prescription drug costs for families, we won’t hesitate to bring out full authorities to bear,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan in [...]

CVS and Walgreens are limiting the amount of baby formula you can buy — a grim reminder of what shortages mean, and how dependent we have become on retail chains, especially when it comes to vital supplies, including drugs. Maybe you have noticed that it is getting crowded in CVS or Walgreens these days as you wait for an item, a vaccine or medication. Maybe you’ve been on hold for a pharmacist and finally given up. Perhaps you have argued with a pharmacist or been standing on a long line while someone else demanded better service from the pharmacist. Within the major drug store outlets, you often see a sign that says, “We’re Hiring.” What I never considered is that the people [...]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to update healthcare providers, public health departments, and the public on the potential for recurrence of COVID-19 or “COVID-19 rebound.” Paxlovid continues to be recommended for early-stage treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 among persons at high risk for progression to severe disease. Paxlovid treatment helps prevent hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. COVID-19 rebound has been reported to occur between 2 and 8 days after initial recovery and is characterized by a recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms or a new positive viral test after having tested negative. A brief return of symptoms may be part of the natural history of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection [...]