Latest news with #prescriptiondrugs
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside the tragic downfall of former Sydney society 'It' girl as she hits a new low - after she was accused of shocking forgery scam
The glamorous life of a former celebrity stylist and one-time 'It' girl of the 2000s has potentially unravelled after she was arrested for allegedly forging prescriptions. New Zealand-born Kelly Smythe, 47, was charged earlier this month at Surry Hills Police Station in Sydney 's inner east. She spent the night in custody before appearing before Downing Centre Local Court via video link last week, when she made a release application while being held on remand. Smythe, who lives on Australia's most expensive street in Point Piper, was charged with two counts of using a false document to obtain property and two counts of obtaining or attempting to get a prohibited drug by false representation. A charge sheet showed Ms Smythe allegedly used a false letter and two fraudulent scripts to get dexamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine from the Paddington Compounding Pharmacy on Oxford street in February 21 and May 15. Dexamphetamine medication is used in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sleep disorder) while Lisdexamfetamine treats moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults. Smythe's barrister Charles Alexander lodged a release application on his client's behalf. 'She knows she needs to stay on the straight and narrow,' he told the court. Magistrate Sharon Freund said the police facts indicated there may be further charges pending, but no fresh charges had been laid. The magistrate granted bail but addded: 'I suspect your client may have an issue with the drugs she has been self-prescribing.' Smythe, who wore gold-rimmed sunglasses during her video-linked court appearance, said: 'Thank you so much, ma'am.' The case will be back before the court next month. At the height of her career she was a Seven Network stylist and the go-to fashion adviser to Sydney's elite, styling Miranda Kerr, Jennifer Hawkins, Jodi Gordon and Sonia Kruger. But after five years at the helm of the wardrobe styling department, Seven cut ties with her. With the local fashion industry teetering on the brink of collapse, Smythe struggled with freelance work and former friends say she vanished from the limelight. She tied the knot in 2011 with Alex Nikolaidis, ten years younger than her, at St Mark's Church, in the ritzy eastern suburbs enclave of Darling Point, in front of clients and Sydney's society set including Roxy Jacenko, Holly Brisley and Chris Bath. She was known for living life in the fast lane before take a step away form the limelight several years ago The couple welcomed a son, who is now 14, a year before saying 'I do'. They are now divorced. On Wednesday the petite stylist was seen stranded on New South Head Road in Sydney's east after her car ran out of fuel and required NRMA roadside assistance. She was dressed in low-rise jeans, furry flats and designer sunglasses.
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Here's why Trump's plan is unlikely to fix America's dystopian prescription drug problem
Most of us Americans have first-hand experience with the broken state of the U.S. prescription drugs market. In March, our son said his ADHD medication wasn't working anymore. We set up an appointment with his pediatrician–which is when the Kafka-esque insurance wrangling began. The doctor prescribed a medication listed on our insurer's published formulary (the list of prescription drugs, whether brand name or generic, covered by its policies). The insurer denied the prescription, then denied the prior authorization our pediatrician submitted. Then we learned the published formulary was incorrect. We got a copy of the correct formulary and tried again. We had to call around to find a pharmacy that had the new drug in the generic form (since the name brand isn't covered), only to have the prescription denied again. Rx Frustration Redux The insurer told our doctor that a prior authorization was required, even though this medication is on the preferred formulary, so the pediatrician dutifully submitted that paperwork. Several days later, this prior authorization was also denied. The pediatrician's nurse practitioner called the insurer, 'threw a bit of a fit,' and got the insurance company to follow its own rules.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Wellgistics Health Strengthens Executive Team and Board with Strategic Appointments to Accelerate Scale and Drive Shareholder Value
TAMPA, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / Wellgistics Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:WGRX), a healthcare infrastructure company transforming the prescription drug ecosystem, today announced key additions to its executive leadership team and Board of Directors. These strategic appointments reflect the Company's commitment to executing on its growth strategy, enhancing operational scale, and delivering long-term shareholder value. Key Leadership Appointments Wellgistics has appointed a diverse and deeply experienced group of executives to drive execution across the Company's operations: Tony Madsen, Chief Operating Officer (COO) - A seasoned executive with over a decade of regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and healthcare operations scaling experience. Mr. Madsen will oversee execution across Wellgistics' platform and ensure cross-functional alignment and operational excellence. Since 2020, he served as Managing Partner at Nomad Capital, an investment firm dedicated to reshaping capital structures and fine-tuning operational efficiencies. For the six years prior, he was Director of Cybersecurity at Cingo Solutions, an SOC2-certified managed detection and response cybersecurity provider. He holds a degree in Economics from Brigham State University. Shelley Bailey, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) - A proven growth strategist, Ms. Bailey brings deep industry knowledge and leadership in scaling healthcare sales teams and revenue operations across multiple verticals. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy Officer at Wellgistics, where she combined her specialty pharmacy, government affairs, and supply chain experience to create tailored employer solutions. For the three years prior, she was the Chair of the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board, a branch of that state's largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Between 2020 and 2025 she served as founder and CEO of Famlee Health, which provided clinical assessment, diagnosis and step-therapy treatment for fertility from home. For the seven years prior, Ms. Bailey was a Specialty Pharmacy Consultant to legislators, pharmaceutical, and healthcare companies with a focus on specialty pharmacy and 340B programs. Between 2000 and 2017 she was CEO and co-owner of Central Drugs Specialty Pharmacy in Oregon. She earned an MBA from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business. Srini Kalla, Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Mr. Kalla will lead the modernization of Wellgistics' digital and data infrastructure, driving the Company's AI integration strategy, compliance frameworks, and platform interoperability. Prior to joining Wellgistics, he worked with Optum Workers' Comp and Auto No-Fault, a Minnesota-based insurance company, where he first served as Executive Director and then Vice President IT. Previously, he was employed in Analyst-Security Operations and Specialist-Operations Support by Verizon Data Services. He holds MS and MIS degrees from the University of Florida. Vasudev Patel, Product Owner - Mr. Patel will spearhead product development across the Company's AI-driven prescription routing tools, pharmacy technology platforms, and digital patient engagement solutions. Prior to joining Wellgistics, Mr. Patel held the position of Agile Product Owner with Evernorth Health Services. From 2012 to 2022 he served as Senior Business Analyst at UnitedHealth Group. He previously held Business Analyst positions with both Express Scripts and Merrill Lynch/Bank of America. He holds an MBA, Finance, from Brain Wells University in London. Ari Aichbhaumik, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain - Mr. Aichbhaumik brings a strong track record of optimizing pharmaceutical supply chain networks at scale, with expertise in distribution, logistics, and global procurement. Before joining Wellgistics, Ari held a number of pharmacy operations management positions including Senior Vice President with Bayvrio, VP, Pharmacy Practice and Specialty Solution at Eversana, and Director of Pharmacy Operations at WellDyne, Inc. He holds degrees in Pharmacy from Temple University and Pharmaceutical Economics from University of Florida, as well as an MS, Computer Information and Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Kim Dresser, Director of Human Resources - Ms. Dresser will drive talent acquisition, culture transformation, and HR infrastructure as Wellgistics continues to scale nationally. Most recently, Kim served as Human Resources Director for Leonard Buildings & Truck Accessories, a 150-store, 18-state manufacturer and distributor. Previously, she was Human Resources Manager for MVP Group International, one of the world's largest manufacturers of private label scented candles. From 2016 through 2021 she served as Production Manager at World Wide Protective Products, a maker of custom hand and body protection products. She holds an Associate degree in Business Management from Surry Community college in North Carolina. Board Appointment Michael Peterson, Member, Board of Directors - A veteran public company executive and capital markets strategist bringing significant governance and financial experience, Mr. Peterson will help guide Wellgistics' strategic expansion and shareholder engagement. Since 2022 Michael has served as CEO, Director, and Founder of Lafayette Energy, a Utah based oil and gas exploration company. He also presently serves as Director with both the biopharma company, Ocean Biomedical, and with the energy exploration company, Indonesia Energy Corporation. Michael also served as Director and CEO with Trio Petroleum Corp and as Director with TRxADE Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDS), a wholesale drug selling platform. He holds an MBA, Finance, from Brigham Young University Mariott School of Business. 'This is more than just leadership expansion-it's the strategic assembly of a world-class team capable of executing on our national vision to fundamentally shift the way prescription drugs move across the supply chain in America,' commented Brian Norton, CEO of Wellgistics Health. 'We're not just optimizing logistics-we're rebuilding the infrastructure of healthcare medicine delivery to create lasting value for employer groups, patients, pharmacies, and the entire healthcare ecosystem.' About Wellgistics Health Wellgistics Health, Inc. is a publicly traded healthcare infrastructure company redefining how medications move, are priced, and reach patients. The company operates across pharmaceutical distribution, prescription technology, and clinical fulfillment-connecting over 150 direct manufacturer contracts to a nationwide network of over 6,000 independent pharmacies. Wellgistics Health provides real-time prescription hub services, compliance-driven logistics, and patient-first fulfillment solutions, while equipping pharmacies with integrated financial, clinical, and digital tools. Its end-to-end platform supports a broad range of therapeutic areas from specialty-lite to chronic maintenance medications by eliminating friction, accelerating reimbursements, and enabling direct, transparent connections between manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, and patients. For more information, visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When Wellgistics Health uses words such as 'may, 'will, 'intend,' 'should,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'project,' 'estimate' or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Wellgistics Health's statements regarding Wellgistics Health's strategy and descriptions of its future operations, prospects, and plans, including without limitation its plan in connection with certain financings and cryptocurrencies and outlook and actions with respect to incurring future expenses. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from Wellgistics Health's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions and other risks detailed in our reports and statements filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in Wellgistics Health's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at For more information, please contact: Media Contact: [email protected] Investor Relations: [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC Scott Powell, President 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor New York, NY 10036 Office: (646) 893-5835 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Wellgistics Health, Inc. press release
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
A Welcome Dose of Nostalgia
Joseph Epstein seldom misses the mark, but his counsel to 'Ask Your Doctor About the Mute Button' (op-ed, May 20) to avoid health-related TV ads seems misguided. Prescription drug commercials are a musical trip down memory lane. The Jackson Five's 'ABC' repurposed to sell Trelegy, Fleetwood Mac's 'Go Your Own Way' touting greater independence for COPD patients using Anoro, Pilot's song 'Magic' urging us to believe in 'Oh Oh Oh Ozempic,' War's 'Low Rider' describing how macular degeneration is slowed by Izervay. Pop music purists may object, but it makes a little money for the aging artists—or whoever they've sold their song catalog to—and you can always download the original later. My two cents: Don't mute the ads; sing along.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
U.S. Prescriptions Meds Pricey For Government And Households
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 23: Prescription drugs are displayed at NYC Discount Pharmacy in Manhattan ... More on July 23, 2024 in New York City. A major issue in the presidential race between both parties is the increase in prescription drug prices, an issue that especially energizes older voters. From 2022 to 2023 the average increase of drug prices in the U.S. was 15.2%, higher than the inflation rate, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Photo by) U.S. spending on prescription medication is the highest in the OECD, data from the organization shows. President Donald Trump on May 12 signed an executive order to try and change this status quo. However, experts have said the feat will be difficult due to the complicated structure of international medication prices and a long timeline ahead. Trump in January and April had already revoked the former administration's and then signed his own executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug cost in Medicare and Medicaid. This past Monday, yet another order stipulated that new pharmaceutical production plants in the country can be approved faster, among other things. This is in preparation for upcoming pharmaceutical import tariffs, which are believed to nudge the prices of drugs in the country towards the more expensive rather than the opposite. This chart shows the spending on prescription medication in selected countries in U.S. dollars per ... More capita (2022 or 2023). The May 12 order suggest that the U.S. will present drugmakers with maximum prices they can charge for their medications, based on a so-called 'most favored nations' approach, i.e. prices comparable to what other rich nations charge. Inside of the OECD, this is significiantly less, even when applying purchasing power parity. While U.S. prescription drug spending in 2022 stood at $1,218 per resident on average, this was $1,008 in Germany, $889 in Canada and $757 in Japan in the most recent available years. In some nations, the average cost of prescription drugs was even lower, at below $500 in Spain, Australia and Norway, for example, and at around $350 in the United Kingdom. Interestingly, at least when applying a PPP approach, household out-of-pocket spending on prescription medication wasnt the highest in the United States as the country was overtaken by eight out of 32 countries, including Hungary, South Korea, Norway, Switzerland and Canada. KFF identified the May 12 executive order as a wishlist rather than as a actual tool to lower prices. While it says that the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide a framework to enforce these price levels, this could be years in the making, fraught with legal challenges and get even more complicated if Congress would need to get involved. Drugmakers have long objected to U.S. price caps as they have maintained that the United States is where they earn the money to finance future innovation. Reports have, however, cast doubts on this narrative, as pharmaceutical companies were found to spend most of their budgets on non-research-related items, high salaries and even stock buybacks. While it is true that drugmakers earn a lot of money in the United States due to other countries capping prices, negotiating more or even rejecting new drugs, this doesn't necessarily mean that other nations are missing out. New treatments are to the contrary often rejected overseas due to their limited improvements over cheaper, existing treatments. However, it is possible that a future change of course in the U.S. would have a chilling effect on drug research by companies and could influence the slight edge the U.S. is thought to have in the quality of care over other developed nations. Another issue influencing high U.S. drug prices are stronger parent protections, limiting generic medications at times. The United States is also not sufficiently regulating middlemen like pharmacy benefit managers. These act as intermediaries between insurers and patients on the one side and pharmacies and drug manufacturers on the other. But since they are part of health care companies, they usually act in their owners' interest by marking up prices, chosing more expensive medications, asking for fees from manufacturers and the like, all while claiming to create savings through bargaining. Charted by Statista
