Latest news with #PPN
The Star
11 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Tales of success from PJ hostel
(From left) Ravindran, Prof Agamutu and Marimuthu at the book launch at Royal Lake Club. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star A FORMER resident of a hostel called PP Narayanan (PPN) has chronicled the stories of students and staff in a book, The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel. The hostel, established in 1965 by the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), was once a second home to generations of students. It provided a home for students, primarily children of estate workers, who secured admission to Universiti Malaya (UM) or nearby institutions of higher education in Kuala Lumpur. The author Ravindran Raghavan, who is a business consultant, said he was inspired by the stories of fellow former hostel residents he met during a PPN reunion. 'It was truly amazing to witness the heights that these people had climbed to from where they were,' Ravindran said during the book launch held at Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur. 'I instantly knew then that I had to somehow capture all of this success,' he added. Educationist and former UM lecturer Tan Sri Dr T. Marimuthu also echoed Ravindran's sentiment. 'The hostel was a sanctuary for people from various backgrounds, but it was also a refuge for students who didn't know where to go. 'It was a welcoming community,' said the former deputy agriculture minister who also served as the hostel's management committee vice-chairman in 1972. After 30 years of serving the community, the hostel which was located in Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, officially closed its doors in 1996 due to lack of funds. Prof Datuk Dr P. Agamutu, who was also a former resident at the hostel, said the building had since been demolished and a condominium now stands in its place. Despite this, he said the former residents shared a strong bond. 'You can remove us from PPN, but you can't remove PPN from us,' added the academic from Sunway University's Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development.
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Ontario's planned crackdown on exclusivity deals could go further, pharmacy regulator says
The board of Ontario's pharmacy regulator said on Monday the province's proposed new restrictions on exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies were a good step, but should go further to protect patient safety. Ontario recently began a second public consultation on preferred provider (or pharmacy) networks (PPNs), a type of deal between pharmacies and insurers that can restrict where patients get medication. The consultation proposes two options for restricting the deals: 'any able and willing provider' legislation that would allow any pharmacy to join an insurer's network if they met the necessary criteria; and 'standardized and mandatory exemptions' that would allow any patient to go outside a network if they met conditions set by a regulator. The province leaves it open to whether it could pursue either, both or neither option. The board of the Ontario College of Pharmacists has been discussing a potential crackdown on PPNs since early last year, even passing a motion expressing 'zero tolerance' for closed networks last July. The board discussed the latest consultation at its meeting Monday. A briefing document prepared and distributed by college staff ahead of time suggested the province's proposals could be 'strengthened' to meet the regulator's goals of guaranteeing patient choice, continuity of care and access to care. Ontario regulator condemns exclusive deals between pharmacies, insurance companies Board chair Doug Brown, who owns and runs a pharmacy in the town of Port Perry, said he acknowledged that there was frustration in the community 'over what is perceived to be the lack of progress on this issue.' However, he said the consultation – which is run by Ontario's Ministry of Finance – crosses multiple industries and needs to be done carefully. He said any new actions undertaken by the college could be undone depending on how the legislation is eventually drafted, and so it would be prudent for the regulator to wait for now. 'But let me be absolutely clear, the college is prepared to move quickly and decisively once the government has confirmed what it will or won't do to address the clear concerns that remained unresolved,' he said. Most board members expressed support for the province's proposed options. Elnora Magboo, one of the board's public members, asked during the meeting whether PPNs could provide greater access to medication because of savings negotiated between the agreement's participants. Ontario considers rule to limit exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies Insurers have argued PPNs are useful tools to keep costs down. They say the deals allow them to negotiate discounts from pharmacies that they pass on to plan sponsors. But some of the board's independent pharmacists, who are often kept out of these networks in favour of large chain pharmacies, pushed back on the idea that there are cost savings, and raised other concerns with the deals. Siva Sivapalan, a community pharmacist in Beamsville, raised a witness the board heard from last July, whose medication was delivered by a network pharmacy to a non-refrigerated area at the back of a craft store. That witness – a teacher from Waterloo named Amy Miller – lodged a complaint with the network pharmacy last summer. In the months since, she has expressed frustration at the slow pace of the college's investigation and the difficulty in obtaining her medication from her preferred source. 'Every month that passes without a decision makes my access to care more uncertain,' Ms. Miller wrote in a letter sent to the board in May, which she shared with The Globe and Mail. 'Every delay deepens the harm. And every public statement you make about protecting patients becomes more hollow.' College spokesperson Dave Bourne said the regulator could not share details about Ms. Miller's case, but continues to investigate concerns about PPNs. Speaking generally, he said some complaints are complex and time-consuming to investigate. 'We understand Ms. Miller's frustration with the time being taken to address her complaint, and we empathize with her situation,' he said in an e-mail.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
PPN Expands Influence in Pharmacy Media with New Hosting Platform and June Podcast Lineup
Pharmacy Podcast Network Unveils New Host Membership & Analytics Platform, Announces Four New Podcast Launches for June BROWNSVILLE, PA / ACCESS Newswire / May 21, 2025 / The Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN), the world's largest podcast network dedicated to the profession of pharmacy, proudly announces the launch of a Podcast Hosting Membership and Metrics Platform designed by JB Consulting, a custom healthcare software firm, to empower pharmacy podcast creators with cutting-edge tools, insights, and growth opportunities. This expansion comes alongside the announcement of four new podcasts premiering in June, continuing PPN's mission to elevate authentic and informative healthcare conversations. Returning by popular demand, the subject of mental health is at the forefront of healthcare. The PPN is excited to announce the new podcast called MindBridge: A Behavioral Health Podcast, hosted by Dr. Ryan Paul Liabenow, PhD, CEO of Mango Health. Focused on mental health and best practices in behavioral-assisted treatments, MindBridge brings critical dialogue to pharmacists and healthcare providers at the forefront of behavioral medicine. The Executive Dose is another new addition to the Pharmacy Podcast Network, hosted by Stephen Beckman, CEO of YARAL Pharma. This no-fluff, C-suite-level podcast digs into the real-world pressures-and possibilities-reshaping the pharmaceutical industry. Expect sharp insights, straight talk, and stories that hit home for today's pharmacy professionals. 'Pharma, like pharmacy care, is at a tipping point,' said Beckman. 'With 145 million podcast listeners in the U.S., PPN cuts through the noise and delivers what matters to the pharmacy business community. YARAL Pharma is proud to fuel the conversation on this powerful platform.' The PBM Reform Podcast, originally launched in 2019, returns with new host Greg Reybold, Vice President of Healthcare Policy and General Counsel at American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. (APCI). Greg is a veteran healthcare attorney and government affairs professional who has been immersed in PBM reform at the state and federal level for years. His work in the PBM reform arena includes drafting several first-in-the-nation bills which have served as the basis for model legislation throughout the nation. RxSafe Eyecon is back with a special limited series titled Building Your LTC Pharmacy at Home Business. This critical series explores how independent pharmacies can enter the booming 'LTC-at-Home' market, combatting the rise of pharmacy deserts caused by closures in 2025 and offering a new revenue stream tied to patient access and public health. 'Podcasting has been present in pharmacy because of the PPN,' said Todd Eury, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Pharmacy Podcast Network. 'It's a platform built for providers, pharmacy owners, and healthcare insiders since 2009. We're growing with our Host Membership Platform, building new shows, and attracting new talent from pharmacists and thought leaders globally.' Tonight, PPN will host its 2025 Host Membership Meeting at 7:00 p.m. ET, bringing together over 30 current hosts and welcoming new voices to the network. Special guest John Nosta, internationally recognized AI health philosopher and CEO of NostaLab, will keynote the event. 'The future of healthcare is not just data-driven-it's voice-driven. Podcasting provides the authentic interface where ideas meet innovation,' said John Nosta. PPN is also launching a new metrics system, enabling hosts and clients to track podcast downloads, episode performance, and listener demographics with more granularity and transparency-empowering better content and business development decisions. ABOUT PHARMACY PODCAST NETWORK Founded in 2009, the Pharmacy Podcast Network is the leading podcast media company for the global pharmacy profession, with over 80,000 monthly listeners across 40+ active shows. PPN delivers content focused on business, clinical care, innovation, advocacy, and policy in pharmacy.\ ABOUT YARAL PHARMA YARAL Pharma, the US generics subsidiary of the multinational pharmaceutical company IBSA, manufactures and markets generic medicines across a range of therapeutic areas including pain and endocrinology. YARAL is committed to improving access to high-quality, authorized and complex generic medications. ABOUT MANGO HEALTH Mango Health is a micro-pharmacy platform tailored for behavioral health settings, specializing in psychiatric medication management, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), sexual health, and drug-related infectious disease care. ABOUT AMERICAN PHARMACY COOPERATIVE, INC. (APCI) Since 1984, APCI has served independent community pharmacies across the nation with group purchasing, advocacy, and a wide range of industry-leading pharmacy services. The co-op is headquartered in Bessemer, Ala. About Eyecon | RxSafe Eyecon | RxSafe is transforming the pharmacy industry through advanced automation technologies that drive efficiency, accuracy, and patient safety. Together, we empower pharmacies with cutting-edge tools that streamline operations, elevate patient care, and ensure long-term success. From visual precision counting to high-volume adherence packaging, our solutions are built to support today's pharmacy challenges and tomorrow's growth. Empowering Pharmacies Through Innovation. ABOUT NOSTALAB NostaLab is a health innovation think tank led by John Nosta, a globally recognized thought leader exploring the intersection of digital health, artificial intelligence, and future medicine. Media Contact: Todd Eury CEO [email protected] (412) 585-4001 SOURCE: Pharmacy Podcast Network press release
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
M'sia hopes UN plays a role to control Pakistan-India tension
JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysia is closely following the development of tensions between Pakistan and India and hopes that the United Nations (UN) can play a role in controlling the situation in the South Asian continent. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Malaysia hopes that a good solution can be reached by the two countries to avoid an outbreak of war. 'Both countries are friendly countries to Malaysia so we do not want the two to go to if there is a war, it will certainly have bad consequences, especially for the people of both countries,' he said. He told reporters after officiating the 56th Johor State Annual Representative Conference (PPN) of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM), here, today. Pakistan today reportedly reiterated the warning of a credible intelligence team and claimed that India is planning to launch a military attack on the country in the near future. This follows the escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries following a bloody attack that killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. India identified three attackers, including two Pakistani nationals, as terrorists who were waging an armed insurgency in the Muslim-majority region while Islamabad denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation. Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said the Ministry of Defence planned to reorganise associations involving armed forces veterans to ensure the effectiveness of the associations involved. He said there are currently 122 associations involving armed forces veterans and some of the associations are inactive and have very small membership. 'So we want to reorganise so that the associations that are created can truly meet the needs of members and views on veterans' matters can be brought forward in an integrated manner,' he said. He said this would simultaneously increase the effectiveness and attention received for the views and 'voices' of veterans compared to each association operating alone. At the same event, Mohamed Khaled also announced an allocation of RM40,000 for painting and upgrading works at the PVATM Office in Johor Bahru as well as RM44,000 to carry out activities at the PVATM branch level in Johor.
