Staying with her dad for the weekend, a Colorado girl wondered why it took so long for her dad to run to Safeway for some ice cream. When he got back, she asked him what too so long. “I had to break up a robbery,” he said. Yeah, right. But unlike when your dad kids about being a superhero, it was true! [More]
Drugs Approved Due To Fraudulent Research Still On Market, FDA Shrugs
By April 16, 2013
The lower prices that come from competition when drug patents expire and generic versions hit the market is great for consumers, but do you know what’s terrible for consumers? Drugs that don’t work. Yet there may be drugs on your shelf at home right now that haven’t been proven safe, effective, and––in the case of generics–– equivalent to the original brand-name drug. The alleged poor practices by six chemists at one research company in Texas affected more than one hundred drugs on the market in the United States and Europe. [More]
CVS Under Investigation For Automatic Prescription Refill Allegations
By October 17, 2012
After leaked e-mails seemed to indicate that at least some people at CVS have been pressuring pharmacists to refill customers’ prescriptions — without the patient’s consent — in order to meet sales quotas, federal and state regulators have begun investigating the drugstore chain. [More]
More Uninsured Americans Not Filling Prescriptions, Delaying Doctor's Visits, Skipping Medical Procedures
By September 13, 2012
While the U.S. economy is arguably inching toward improvement, costs for health insurance continue to climb. Combined with still-high unemployment and a growing number of employers requiring employees to pay a larger share of their insurance premiums, and there are a lot of uninsured and under-insured Americans out there. And according to the Consumer Reports annual prescription drug poll, a growing number of these people are going without needed care or medication. [More]
GlaxoSmithKline Pleads Guilty & Will Pay U.S. $3 Billion To Resolve Fraud Allegations
By July 2, 2012
In the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history, prescription drug giant GlaxoSmithKline is set to plead guilty and pay $3 billion to the U.S. government. The settlement will resolve federal criminal and civil inquiries about things ranging from the company’s illegal promotion of some of its products to its failure to report safety data and alleged false price reporting. [More]
Many Insurers Changing Prescription Categories So Customers Pay More For Already Expensive Meds
By May 29, 2012
Patients across the country who rely on drugs that are already expensive to treat complicated conditions like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis are in for an unwelcome uptick in costs for those meds, as many insurers are changing things up in order to charge customers more. [More]
We May Be Entering The Oxycontin Baby Era
By July 28, 2011
Pregnant mothers who are addicted to prescription drugs, particularly pain medications, can pass those addictions on to their babies. Health officials are afraid that drug-abusing moms could spawn a widespread class of crack baby-like “oxycontin babies.” [More]
Supreme Court: Data Mining Of Prescription Drug Records Is Free Speech
By June 23, 2011
In 2007, the state of Vermont passed a law forbidding the data mining of prescription drug records (i.e., which drugs are being prescribed and how frequently) for marketing purposes. But earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled that the Vermont law interferes with drug makers’ right to free speech. [More]
DEA Will Be Happy To Take Your Old Drugs Off Your Hands This Saturday
By April 29, 2011
Last September’s first-ever National Take-Back Day, in which the DEA and other law enforcement agencies operate stations for people with old prescription drugs to dispose of them safely, was apparently enough of a success that the agency decided to not even wait a full year to try it again. That’s right, it’s time to bust out your National Take-Back Day decorations, along with your old Vicodin, Oxycontin and Cipro! [More]
Vicodin: The Most Popular Prescription Pill In America's Medicine Cabinet
By April 20, 2011
With the White House and the FDA dreaming up ways to curb the pain-pill problem in the U.S., we got to wondering just what are the most popular (legal) drugs in the country? Thankfully, the folks at Time.com were thinking about the same thing, because they put together a handy/dandy list of the 10 most-prescribed meds, none of which is Viagra. [More]
Safeway Pharmacist Accidentally Gives Abortion-Inducing Drug To Pregnant Woman
By February 8, 2011
If you never thought to double check that bottle you pick up from the prescription counter, here’s a story that will probably stick in your head the next time you’re getting a ‘scrip filled. [More]
How To Avoid Scammy Online Pet Drug Merchants
By October 7, 2010
It’s tempting to skip an expensive visit to the vet’s office when you can just order the same drugs online. Sites offer the exact medications that the vet’s office sells–at much lower prices, without a prescription. It’s not such a good idea, though. Much like buying human drugs online from shady sources (no prescription needed) you may not get exactly what you ordered. The medications that show up on your doorstep could be ineffective, or may even harm your pet. [More]
Have You Taken Alli Or Xenical? We Want To Hear From You
By June 24, 2009
Have you or someone you know taken the weight loss drug Orlistat, marketed as Alli (OTC) and Xenical (prescription)? Our colleagues at Consumer Reports would like to know what kind of side effects you’ve experienced for a future article, no matter how disgusting.
Recent Class Action Lawsuits: Are You Eligible?
By May 22, 2009
We’ve heard about quite a few recent class-action settlements that you just might be eligible for, as well as cute little baby suits still looking for claimants. Products included: energy drinks, name-brand prescription drugs, and zombie microwaves.
Walmart's Prescription Drug Couriers Arrested For Speeding, Smoking
By April 26, 2009
When you think “prescription drugs,” you think of clean, sterile facilities, not three stoners driving 100 mph down I-15 with $30,000 of Walmart’s prescription narcotics in the backseat. Cops pulled the trio over, which included two illegal immigrants, and called Walmart to confirm that these were the folks employed to deliver their dirt-cheap drugs. “They said yeah they were expecting a delivery and the driver was late.”
Which Drugs Aren't Overpriced And Crappy?
By March 17, 2009
Using the power of unbiased science to see which meds are the most cost-effective, Consumer Reports launched a new publication Best Drugs for Less this week. It’s amazing what you can come up with when you’re not in anyone’s pockets except your readers’.
Giant, Stop & Shop And Wegmans To Offer Free Antibiotics
By January 7, 2009
The grocery store chains Giant and Stop & Shop have announced a plan to offer free prescription antibiotics in their pharmacies. The program will last through March 21st, and will cover amoxicillin, penicillin and ciprofloxacin among others. The program is similar to one offered by Midwestern superstore Meijer.
FTC Busts Giant Spam Operation, Enlarges Penis
By October 16, 2008
As part of their inquiry, FTC staff made undercover purchases from the sites. No one asked the clandestine buyers to provide verification of a prescription and the shipped drugs did not include doctors’ instructions or dosage information, officials said.
