Vienna, VA — According to the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, an international not-for-profit corporation dedicated to improving prescription drug security, the number of counterfeit drugs seized in 2007 increased by 24%. This included illicit versions of 403 different prescription drugs from 99 countries. Among one of the most popular copied drugs is Viagra. According to Pfizer, it is estimated that counterfeit copies of the drug are costing the company $2 billion in lost sales.

Denver, CO — Colorado Governor Bill Ritter vetoed a bill that would have provided some financial relief to pharmacists from the proposed federal Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005, which drastically cuts Medicaid reimbursements by 36% or an estimated $14 million. Because the law is being challenged, the governor said any legislation that offers financial relief tied to the DRA is "premature, unnecessary, and restrictive."

Boston, MA — The Boston Globe is reporting that Walgreens is seeking state approval to open in-store medical clinics in 16 of its Boston area stores that will compete with CVS's MinuteClinics, which are expected to be expanded in the state. The Walgreens clinics will be called Take Care. Like similar in-store medical clinics, Take Care clinics will treat relatively minor health ailments. The for-profit clinics will be staffed by nurse practitioners.

Alexandria, VA — The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) are joining forces in an attempt to increase the legislative and regulatory clout of compounding pharmacists. "The federal government has shown a proclivity for pursuing and adopting unwarranted and unnecessary policies when it comes to pharmacy compounding," said Bruce Roberts, RPh, NCPA executive vice president and CEO. "NCPA and IACP are committed to joining forces whenever possible to ensure patient access to medications created through compounding is not endangered."

Washington, DC — The Florida Times Union is reporting that Medicare premiums for three of the top 10 drug plans increased by more than 50%, including one from AARP that rose by 84%. While four drug plans reduced their premiums, research done by Avalere Health, an information company serving the health care industry, shows seniors who are enrolled in the 10 largest plans accounts for nearly three-fourths of those signed up for drug coverage. They are paying an average of 16% higher than last year.

Rockville, MD — The FDA sent warning letters to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently claiming to prevent and cure cancer. The FDA is also warning consumers not to purchase these products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves, and creams sold under various brand names. The products contain ingredients such as bloodroot, shark cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, Cat's Claw, an herbal tea called Essiac, and mushroom varieties such as Agaricus Blazeii, Shitake, Maitake, and Reishi. According to the FDA, these products are illegal because they have not been shown to be safe and effective for the labeled conditions of use.