In brief: Few changes in new ASP figures

BALTIMORE - The new average sales price (ASP) figures for nebulizer medications released in September brought few changes. Albuterol (J7613) was down 2 cents to 13 cents per dose, while budesonide (J7626) was down nearly 11 cents to about $4.87 per dose. Levalbuterol (J7614) and ipratropium (J7644) stayed flat at 65 cents and just under 13 cents per dose, respectively. Brovana (J7605) was down almost 14 cents per dose to $5.22, and Perforomist (J7606) was up just more than 12 cents per dose to $5.21.

ADW goes international

POMPANO BEACH, Fl. - American Diabetes Wholesale (ADW), an online supplier of direct-to-consumer diabetes testing supplies, announced Sept. 21 that it is expanding its reach to include international shipping, according to a press release. “This expansion is something we have wanted to do for a long time,” Chris Maguire, vice president and co-founder of ADW, stated.

Audits overwhelm community pharmacists

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Most community pharmacists are struggling with audits, according to a new survey. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) surveyed more than 350 community pharmacists about their experiences with audits conducted by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and other Medicare Part D intermediaries. The survey found, among other things: 96% of pharmacists stated that a typical PBM contract has minimal or no transparency on how generic pricing is determined or what the reimbursement rate will be; and about 76% say audit requirements across Medicare Part D plans are inconsistent.

Survey: Local pharmacy outshines mail order

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Mail-order pharmacies continue to get lower marks in customer satisfaction, according to a survey released today. On a scale of 1,000, overall satisfaction with mail-order pharmacies averages 792, compared to 814 for brick-and-mortar pharmacies, states J.D Power and Associates in a press release. Satisfaction with mail-order pharmacies is significantly higher among customers who choose to use mail-order pharmacies rather then those who are required to use it (810 vs. 768); and satisfaction with cost competitiveness is higher in that same group (773 vs. 714).

Short takes

Four Leaf Clover Diabetic Supplies launched www.4leafclovermesupply.com in October. The Hayesville, N.C.-based provider anticipates an increase in the number of customers willing to pay cash�Darby's Village Pharmacy has opened a second location, called Darby's Medical Center Pharmacy. The larger Andalusia, Ala., location now offers DME.