Latest news with #pharmacists
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pharmacists warn drug shortage affecting cancer patients
Pharmacists have warned that "one of the worst" examples of medicine shortages is affecting cancer patients. Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), helps digestion and is required by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis. It is thought more than 61,000 patients in the UK need the medicine. Some patients are said to be "skipping meals" to ration their medication due to a shortage of it, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA). A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said there were "European-wide supply issues" and it was "working closely with industry and the NHS" to mitigate the impact on patients. Without the drug, patients lose weight and strength, which means their ability to cope with treatment such as chemotherapy is reduced. Some experts have predicted shortages continuing until next year. The Department of Health and Social Care has extended a serious shortage protocol for Creon which has already been in place for a year. This indicates concern about shortages of a medicine and allows pharmacists to give patients an alternative - though they argue other drugs are also in short supply. A spokesperson for the department said the "European-wide supply issues" were caused by manufacturing supply constraints. The National Pharmacy Association said more than three quarters of members covered in a recent survey felt the current arrangements for managing the shortages were inadequate. Some reported that patients were skipping meals and travelling long distances to get hold of the medication, according to the NPA. One said it was the "worst stock shortage" they had ever had to deal with. BBC News highlighted the issue in February after a woman got in touch saying it was impossible for her husband, who has pancreatic cancer, to digest his food without Creon. That month, leading pancreatic clinicians and charities wrote to the prime minister, saying the absence of Pert can have a "devastating impact on people's lives". They called for a national strategy to tackle the shortage. Alice from Birmingham was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023 and initially got 15 boxes of Creon capsules every month to help her tolerate chemotherapy. She can now get only six or seven and is having to skip snacks. The 64-year-old said the shortage had profoundly affected her mental health. She told the BBC: "Each day I'm trying to balance: what shall I eat, shall I have a more substantial meal, shall I take my supplements and that creates an extra layer of stress and worry whilst I'm trying to put my life together again after having this diagnosis." Alfie Bailey-Bearfield of Pancreatic Cancer UK said the charity had been raising concerns with the government and suppliers for more than a year and it was vital that officials intervened to try to boost supply. "Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking Pert tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted," he said. "It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures which puts their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk," he added. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association said it was very difficult for her members to obtain supplies from the wholesaler. "The shortages with Creon has been ongoing for so long and it seems no effective attempts are being made by officials to make the process easier for pharmacies and patients and to put robust plans in place to prioritise the availability of this product," she said. "Instead they continue prolonging the current processes." A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it knew "how frustrating and distressing" medicine supply issues can be for patients and clinicians caring for them. They added: "The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints. "We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible." Cancer patients 'may starve' without vital drug
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Pharmacists warn drug shortage affecting cancer patients
Pharmacists have warned that "one of the worst" examples of medicine shortages is affecting cancer a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), helps digestion and is required by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis. It is thought more than 61,000 patients in the UK need the patients are said to be "skipping meals" to ration their medication due to a shortage of it, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said there were "European-wide supply issues" and it was "working closely with industry and the NHS" to mitigate the impact on patients. Without the drug, patients lose weight and strength, which means their ability to cope with treatment such as chemotherapy is experts have predicted shortages continuing until next Department of Health and Social Care has extended a serious shortage protocol for Creon which has already been in place for a year. This indicates concern about shortages of a medicine and allows pharmacists to give patients an alternative - though they argue other drugs are also in short supply.A spokesperson for the department said the "European-wide supply issues" were caused by manufacturing supply constraints. 'Extra layer of stress' The National Pharmacy Association said more than three quarters of members covered in a recent survey felt the current arrangements for managing the shortages were inadequate. Some reported that patients were skipping meals and travelling long distances to get hold of the medication, according to the said it was the "worst stock shortage" they had ever had to deal News highlighted the issue in February after a woman got in touch saying it was impossible for her husband, who has pancreatic cancer, to digest his food without Creon. That month, leading pancreatic clinicians and charities wrote to the prime minister, saying the absence of Pert can have a "devastating impact on people's lives".They called for a national strategy to tackle the from Birmingham was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023 and initially got 15 boxes of Creon capsules every month to help her tolerate chemotherapy. She can now get only six or seven and is having to skip snacks. The 64-year-old said the shortage had profoundly affected her mental health. She told the BBC: "Each day I'm trying to balance: what shall I eat, shall I have a more substantial meal, shall I take my supplements and that creates an extra layer of stress and worry whilst I'm trying to put my life together again after having this diagnosis." 'Taking desperate measures' Alfie Bailey-Bearfield of Pancreatic Cancer UK said the charity had been raising concerns with the government and suppliers for more than a year and it was vital that officials intervened to try to boost supply."Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking Pert tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted," he said."It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures which puts their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk," he Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association said it was very difficult for her members to obtain supplies from the wholesaler."The shortages with Creon has been ongoing for so long and it seems no effective attempts are being made by officials to make the process easier for pharmacies and patients and to put robust plans in place to prioritise the availability of this product," she said."Instead they continue prolonging the current processes."A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it knew "how frustrating and distressing" medicine supply issues can be for patients and clinicians caring for added: "The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints."We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible."
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Research Presented by The US Oncology Network at ASCO 2025 Demonstrates Significant Cost Savings in Community Oncology Setting with Pharmacist-Driven Interventions
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 1, 2025-- To address the rising costs of cancer drugs, investigators from The US Oncology Network (The Network), the largest organization of its kind dedicated to advancing local cancer care and better patient outcomes, explored the impact of engaging a remote clinical pharmacist in reducing the total cost of care (TCOC) within the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). From July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, seven ClinReview pharmacists (CRPs) within five EOM-participating practices in The Network evaluated more than 5,600 patients for medication initiatives. During the same period, The Network had 12 practices in the EOM nationwide, accounting for approximately 50% of all providers participating in the program. A total of 1,271 interventions were identified, with 1,180 accepted. The sum of TCOC reduction amounted to $8,982,235. Six medication initiatives were implemented and the breakdown of each initiative and average TCOC reduction per intervention are shown in the table below and will be presented in a rapid oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology ( ASCO ) Annual Meeting: In addition to the six medication initiatives outlined above, the CRPs contributed an additional $1,201,326 in medication savings associated with drug selection. 'With the national cost of cancer care estimated to exceed $245 billion by 2030, this study provides a clear roadmap for oncology practices looking to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes,' said lead author Daniel Kendzierski, PharmD, senior clinical pharmacist, The Network. 'These findings underscore the critical role of pharmacist-driven medication interventions in driving the success of value-based care models in oncology.' Study Methodology Medication initiatives were clinically evaluated and adopted at an individual practice level and included moAB dose rounding, pembrolizumab dose banding, biosimilar TIC to preferred products, use of a preferred PD-1 agent in metastatic NSCLC, decreased upfront usage of long-acting GF in metastatic cancer, and preferred use of zoledronic acid over alternatives. CRPs remotely reviewed oncology treatment orders for cost-savings opportunities, updated eligible treatments per practice protocols, or reviewed with the treating oncologist. Interventions were submitted by the CRPs into a tracking system and marked as an EOM-related intervention. TCOC reduction was calculated using the difference between the CMS allowable for the original treatment ordered and the new order. Other Research at ASCO 2025 Physicians in The Network are affiliated with dozens of studies being presented at ASCO 2025. Their research highlights clinical and operational findings covering key topics such as the impact of AI on care delivery, access to oncology resources for minority patient populations, and patient experiences with novel therapies. 'As cancer care costs continue to escalate, community oncology practices need novel therapies and innovative solutions to deliver high-quality, affordable care,' said Leslie Busby, MD, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee chair and incoming chief medical officer, The Network. 'Research presented at this year's ASCO around digital transformation and patient care delivery in community settings highlights the direct impact practices in The Network have on the communities they serve. This research helps inform how we can continue driving value-based care forward and improving cancer care for all oncology patients.' The Network is supported by McKesson, which has an unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners that provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping address barriers and improve cancer and specialty care. At ASCO, McKesson-supported businesses including The Network, Ontada, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), are part of approximately 170 accepted abstracts and presentations. These are inclusive of oral and poster presentations, educational sessions, late-breaking studies, and early-phase studies. Click here for a full list of SCRI-affiliated studies and presentations and here for Ontada-affiliated abstracts. Expert Panel on Precision Medicine in Community Oncology during ASCO 2025 Additionally, McKesson will be participating in a thought leadership panel hosted by Endpoints News on June 4, 2025, at 12:10pm ET, titled, 'The Future is Now: Digital Transformation Unleashes Precision Medicine in Community Oncology.' Click here to register and join the panelists as they share their insights and perspectives on actionable steps and solutions for community oncology practices to seamlessly integrate precision medicine into their care offerings: ### About The US Oncology Network Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 2,700 independent providers deliver value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure, and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere. About McKesson Oncology and Specialty Solutions It's an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson, our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care. View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact The US Oncology Network Claire Crye, Communications [email protected] Health on behalf of The US Oncology Network Christine Murphy, Media Relations [email protected] KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MANAGED CARE ONCOLOGY SOURCE: The US Oncology Network Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/01/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 06/01/2025 08:01 AM
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Uproar as America's largest pharmacy chain shuts 270 stores... after closing 900 in just three years
The pharmacy retail industry is struggling. CVS, the chain with over 9,000 locations across the US, confirmed to that 270 locations would shutter this year. The closures, which the company initially announced in October 2024, have been underway in several states, with Alabama, New York, Maryland, and Missouri seeing the largest amount of closures. A concerned customer wrote on Reddit: 'Where will 540 pharmacists and 810 technicians go then?' CVS said it does not comment on which locations will close. But the plan is part of a years-long strategy to right-size the amount of pharmacy locations. In 2021, the company started shuttering 300 stores each year. CVS shuttered 900 US locations in three years. But it also opened over 100 new locations, including 30 inside of Target locations. 'We're focused on ensuring we have the right kinds of stores and the right number of stores in the right locations,' a CVS spokesperson told 'Even after the realignment work, 85 percent of people in the US will still live within 10 miles of a CVS Pharmacy,' the spokesperson added. 'And, while we're closing certain locations, we're also opening stores and pharmacies in areas where there's a need,' the spokesperson added. The changes come as pharmacy retailers face severe headwinds against their critical businesses. Upstart online brands — like Capsule and Blink Health — are attempting to eat into brick-and-mortar sales with more convenient delivery models. Even Amazon entered the pharmaceutical space, launching its medication delivery platform in 2020. 'Luckily I don't depend only on CVS,' one Redditor said about the company's decision to shutter stores while facing the increasing competition. Meanwhile, front-store retail sales, where customers grabbed toothpaste and Tylenol while raking in millions for pharmacies, have cooled. Shoppers have largely turned to lower-priced retailers while the US economy struggles with sticky inflation after the 2020 pandemic, retail experts have told These challenges have sent CVS competitors into tailspins. Several brands have launched mass closure events or declared bankruptcy. Walgreens has been pressing ahead with plans to shutter hundreds of stores. The pharmacy brand pledged to shutter 1,200 locations by 2027. Walgreens is also reportedly considering a $10 billion deal to sell itself to sell itself to private equity firm Sycamore Partners. 'Walgreens has been in a tailspin for a long period of time,' retail expert Neil Saunders, of Global Data, previously explained to the Daily Mail. 'Profitability and sales are under pressure, especially on the retail side of the business.' Meanwhile, Rite Aid has entered its second bankruptcy in two years. The company, struggling to compete with lower-cost models and lampooned by billions of dollars of debt from opioid settlements, said it would shutter all of its locations. 'This is going to cause a pharmacy desert in my neighborhood and prescription nightmare,' one worried customer wrote on Reddit. CVS has stepped in, purchasing pharmacy locations from Rite Aid. They're expected to take on the most customers, having bid on the prescription files of 625 Rite Aid pharmacies across fifteen states. CVS's closures come after a widespread 'retail apocalypse' last year saw major companies file for bankruptcy and brick-and-mortar stores close in their droves. Up until mid-December, US retailers shut 7,300 stores - up nearly 60 percent from 2023.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Quebec pharmacists facing same private agency problem as nurses: AQPP
The Quebec pharmacy owners' association (AQPP) argues that pharmacists are in the same boat as nurses when it comes to private employment agencies. The AQPP says it is speaking out before the situation gets completely out of hand. 'There are a lot of similarities with the problems of the independent workforce with nurses. It's the same phenomenon,' said AQPP President Benoit Morin. 'There are replacement agencies that recruit pharmacists from pharmacies, hire them, then afterwards offer them to pharmacist owners in exchange for replacements, but this creates gaps. Every time they recruit a pharmacist, there's one less pharmacist in the network.' The association has declared Tuesday a day without using replacement agencies. In doing so, it says it is aiming to raise awareness among the government and its agencies about the crisis in the pharmaceutical network. The Association des bannières et des chaînes de pharmacies du Québec, which includes major chains like Brunet, Familiprix, Jean Coutu and Uniprix, seconed the AQPP's message. 'Pharmacists have always used replacement agencies to fill occasional needs,' said Morin. However, over the past five years or so, the labour shortage has become 'artificially accentuated,' he said, and more pharmacists are deciding to do replacement work rather than invest in themselves. In 2024, one million hours of replacement work were carried out in Quebec's pharmacies, and the AQPP says it fears the number will continue to rise exponentially if nothing is done. The situation could jeopardize the development of front-line clinical care, warns the association. The current vacancy rate in community pharmacy is 12 per cent, compared with three per cent in the rest of the province, all sectors combined. The AQPP has calculated a shortfall of 1,150 full- and part-time pharmacists in Quebec. Morin says the province's Health Ministry is 'very aware of the phenomenon.' 'At first, a few years ago, I said to myself: we're private companies, we have to manage our workforce ourselves, we're good at that, but I admit that right now, we're a bit, at the association, at the end of our resources. I think it's going to take outside help from the government or elsewhere to help us curb this phenomenon,' he said. Morin says he is not opposed to the idea of legislation to regulate the use of replacement pharmacists. 'We're not ruling anything out,' he said. In 2023, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government passed a law to limit the use of independent labour agencies in the health and social services network. This did not include pharmacies. After criticism from establishments saying they were unable to continue offering optimal care without nurses from private agencies, Health Minister Christian Dubé said he would give them more time to get organized. The regulations are currently being applied gradually, region by region, until October 2026. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 27, 2025. The Canadian Press health content receives funding through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial choices.
