Last Year’s Mild Flu No Reason to Lower One’s Guard

The 2015-16 flu season was one of the mildest on record, but that is no reason to feel complacent about the season that is just underway, say health experts. Getting a flu shot is the best way to avoid the week or more of fever, aches, coughs and headaches that accompany a bout of flu. The viral illness can mean hospitalization for complications like pneumonia for older people and those with compromised immune systems. Consumer Reports/The Washington Post

Hisamitsu America Launches OTC Lidocaine Gel Patch

Hisamitsu America, the Florham Park, NJ company, introduced the new Salonpas Lidocaine 4% Pain Relieving Gel-Patch. The patch, which contains the maximum strength of lidocaine available without a prescription, is used to treat minor aches and pains. Chain Drug Review

Pharmacists in Primary Care Help Patients, Cut Costs

Including pharmacists on primary care teams as medication management providers improves patient care, helps prevent emergency room visits and readmissions, and reduces costs, panelists said at a congressional briefing co-sponsored by the University of North Carolina’s Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. Medication management helps ensure patients can obtain prescribed medication and take them appropriately, panelists noted. Medpage Today

The Feds are starting to dig in at the biggest middle-man in the pharmaceutical game

The Feds are gunning for the biggest middle man in the American pharmaceutical game, Express Scripts, according to government filings published on Tuesday along with the company’s earnings.

Express Scripts is the largest pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) in the country.

It’s used by insurers and employers to try and keep a lid on what they spend on pharmaceuticals. It also has its own internal mail-order pharmacy, and manages patient assistance programs for drug companies.

All of that has made it an behemoth. More at Yahoo Finance