Specialty Pharmacy

NEW YORK — Cancer-focused specialty pharmacy Onco360 has signed a contract with privately owned pharmacy benefit manager MedImpact Healthcare Systems, whereby the pharmacy will offer its services to the PBM's members.

The two companies said the partnership would offer MedImpact clients "a unique and effective solution for bending the cost curve," and was aimed at providing benefit payers with a proven and effective cancer pharmacy program that combines a cost-effective dispensing model with "clinical excellence."

WASHINGTON — Calling it a "looming threat," the National Council on Patient Information and Education released a 10-step plan to draw attention to the problem of poor medication adherence among elderly people with multiple chronic conditions.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is now Diplomat, the company said Monday in announcing a change to its name and branding strategy.

Calling it a "new and more human brand," the company said it had grown to include more than pharmacists, nurses and care coordinators and now includes software developers, researchers and business strategists.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — More than three-quarters of Medicare beneficiaries don't compare drug prices when shopping for their health plans, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by eHealth, found that 78% of respondents don't compare prices, but that the average beneficiary could have saved more than $600 this year on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs if he had. The study was based on an analysis of more than 450,000 unique visitor sessions during Medicare's 2013 Annual Enrollment Period.

NEW YORK — The governor of California has vetoed a bill that critics said would have limited patients' access to knock-off versions of biotech drugs.

EWING, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Antares Pharma for treating rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, the drug maker said Monday.

ARLINGTON, Va. — A specialty pharmacy industry group has established new offices near the nation's capital.

The Specialty Pharmacy Association of America announced the new offices are located in Arlington, Va. SPAARx's new office will open on Tuesday in the Ballston area of the city.

WASHINGTON — The Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation is developing an accreditation program for specialty pharmacy practices, the group said.