A New Threat to Pharmacists

Britain will soon begin testing an automatic pill dispenser to be available in hospitals. However, the eventual goal is to have dispensing machines available for use by patients.

This is a dangerous and slippery slope for pharmacists. You cannot allow the profession to be seen as simply pill counters who can be replaced by machines. The video link used by the machine will connect patients with pharmacists overseas who will do your job for far less.

The machines would be able to dispense drugs at any time of the day or night. They come in two models, the paper reported, one holding 330 packs of medicine and the other 2,000.

Users insert their prescription into the machine and pick up a telephone to access a live video link to a registered pharmacist.

The pharmacist will check the prescription and ensure those who have to pay have done so before allowing the machine to dispense the drugs.

New CVS Controversy

Connecticut's Attorney General is investigating CVS' threat to drop a drug discount program because state law requires the lowest drug prices be for the state's Medicaid program.

[Attorney General Richard] Blumenthal, in cooperation with Department of Consumer Protection commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr., has sent CVS Caremark a subpoena to explain why providing the discounts to the state Medicaid program would result in termination of its Health Savings Pass program in Connecticut and other information. The deadline for compliance is July 9.

In response to the matter, CVS Caremark said that it intends to "fully comply with all applicable legal requirements in this matter" and "will fully cooperate with the Attorney General's investigation."