Research: All Articles
Kubic TT.* Beer Cooler Biologics! J Biolaw Bus. 2007;10(4):28-32.
Every day, law enforcement officers throughout the United States are engaged in court authorized searches of persons, vehicles, homes and businesses. On occasion, during these searches, officers are surprised at what they uncover. For in some of the most unlikely places, their searches have disclosed the most advanced medicines – biologics, pharmaceuticals products critical to…
[...]Lammons KD. The October 2005 Fake Flu Vaccine Incident. J Biolaw Bus. 2007;10(4):40-43.
In October of 2005, Houston Texas was the site of a fake flu vaccine scam. Approximately 1400 persons were injected with a substance that was purported to be flu vaccine when in fact it was not. The investigation into this incident revealed that the victims had been injected with purified water and none of the…
[...]Class JN.* Behind the Curve: A Critique of NGO Activity with regards to the Safety Concerns of Biologics. J Biolaw Bus. 2007;10(4):33-36.
Non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, play a role in engaging the safety of biological medicines. NGOs should reconsider their roles as safety watchdogs in order to promote positive change with respect to biological medicines. Behind the Curve: A Critique of NGO Activity with regards to the Safety Concerns of Biologics
[...]Roberts R. Counterfeit Biologics: A Personal Narrative. J Biolaw Bus. 2007;10(4):37-39.
Counterfeit drugs are not something that happen to someone else. Real people are affected by fake drugs they buy in pharmacies. It is an experience that teaches us the importance of safety of the drug supply. I know, because I was a victim. This is my story.
[...]Liang BA.* A Dose of Reality: Promoting Access to Pharmaceuticals. Wake Forest Intell Prop LJ. 2007 Dec 1;8:301-386
Abstract. The U.S. uses and benefits substantially from prescription drugs. Pharmaceuticals save lives, relieve suffering, and promote the quality of life for those with access to them. However, access means both availability of the authentic drug and access at prices patients can afford. Unfortunately, current public policy does not effectively address either component. The result…
[...]Shi YQ, Yao J, Liu F, Hu CQ, Yuan J, Zhang QM, Jin SH. Establishment of an HPLC identification system for detection of counterfeit steroidal drugs. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2008;46(4):663-9.
A set of simple HPLC methods employing UV detection were developed for detection of counterfeit drugs by the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine steroidal drugs, ethinylestradiol, diethylstilbestrol, norethisterone, norgestrel, methyltestosterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, progesterone, testosterone propionate and nilestriol. The methods were based on studies of the relationships between the retention factors (k) of the nine…
[...]Shepherd MD*, Richards KM, Winegar AL. Prescription drug payment times by Medicare Part D plans: results of a national study. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2007 Nov/Dec; 47(6):695-701.
Abstract. Objective: To determine the average payment time from Medicare Part D plans to
community pharmacies for prescription drugs dispensed to Medicare beneficiaries.
Design: Nonexperimental time series.
Setting: United States in January to December 2006.
Participants: 145 independent pharmacies and 17 regional chain pharmacy firms.
Intervention: Review of 2,944,526 Medicare Part D prescription drug claims
adjudicated in 2006.
Main outcome measures: Median payment time and the number and proportion
of claims paid, controlling for month of claim adjudication, pharmacy type, and Part
D plan.
Results: The median payment time for 2006 claims filed by all pharmacies in this
study was 29.0 days (mean 39.1). The median payment time was greater for independent
pharmacies (median 31.0, mean 49.1) than chain pharmacies (median 29.0, mean
36.5). Payment was slower during the first few months of the Medicare Part D benefit
than later in the year. By December, approximately 40% of the claims were not paid
within 30 days. Within the 12 plans identified as having the greatest number of claims
in the sample, the median payment time ranged from 23.0 days to 36.0 days.
Conclusion: Payment times improved during 2006, but a sizable proportion of
claims were not paid within 30 days. Chain pharmacies received payments sooner than
independent pharmacies. Additionally, a wide variation in median payment times was
observed for Part D plans. The results of this study, based on actual claims data, are
not in agreement with findings from a survey of Part D plans reported by the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Keywords: Medicare Part D, prescription drug plans, payment systems.
Shepherd, M.* Drug Importation and Safety of Drugs Obtained from Canada. Ann Pharmacother. 2007;41:1288-1291.
Drug importation from Canada has been hotly debated for nearly a decade. Many believe that drug importation will bring needed competition and lower US drug prices. Opposition argues that the costs of ensuring product quality and safety, as well as added healthcare costs, will offset savings attained from imported pharmaceuticals. The US needs to become…
[...]Shepherd, M.* Impact of drug importation on community pharmacy and patient care. J Am Pharm Assn. 2007; 47(3):319-327
With the politcal powers shifting in both congressional houses, many pharmaceutical issues have resurfaced in the 110th Congress. One of these is legalization of drug importation. Many Democrats and Republicans have already stated that this is a high-priority item. In the first 60 days of the First Session, two bills were introduced that would legalize…
[...]Shepherd MD.* Impact of Drug Importation on Community Pharmacy and Patient Care. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2007 May-Jun ;47:319-20, 323-4, 327
Abstract. With the political powers shifting in both congressional houses, many pharmaceutical issues have resurfaced in the 110th Congress. One of these is legalization of drug importation. Many Democrats and Republicans have already stated that this is a high-priority item. In the first 60 days of the First Session, two bills were introduced that would…
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