Walgreens downsizes Rite Aid acquisition to 2,186 stores
Under the new agreement, Walgreens will buy 2,186 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for about $5.18 billion in cash.
Health Care & Life Sciences
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Pharmacy boss blamed for meningitis outbreak gets 9 years
The co-owner of a pharmacy responsible for the deaths of 76 people was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison. Indiana was one of the state hit hardest by the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.
Performance gap widening in some generic drugs, researchers say
As medicines—especially those that treat conditions such as anxiety or depression—are becoming more complex, it’s not just the mix of active ingredients that generic drugmakers have to replicate. It’s also the release mechanism.
Indiana crackdown on opioids sparks more pharmacy robberies
While making opioid prescriptions harder to get, Indiana’s crackdown helped spur a twofold increase in robberies of pharmacies that exacerbated the state’s standing as No. 1 in the nation for those crimes.
Only two insurers to offer Obamacare plans in Indiana next year
The Indiana Department of Insurance has yet to approve the insurers’ proposed higher rates, which will be for those buying individual plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace next year.
Pharmakon owner, compliance director face criminal charges
The owner and the director of compliance for Noblesville-based Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals Inc. have been charged with multiple criminal counts related to the sale of over-potent compounded painkillers that sickened at least three infants.
Senate health plan relies on subsidies GOP has faulted
The proposal would provide an additional $50 billion over four years to stabilize insurance exchanges, relying on a mechanism Republicans have criticized in the past as a way to keep insurers in the marketplace.
Senate GOP plan expected to halt Obamacare penalties, taxes
Top Senate Republicans prepared Wednesday to release their plan for dismantling President Barack Obama’s health care law.
UPDATE: Anthem, MDwise pulling out of Indiana health insurance exchanges
Two Indianapolis-based health insurers are pulling out of Indiana’s insurance exchanges next year, citing growing uncertainty over the future of the Affordable Care Act. Together, they represent about 77,000 members who now must find other plans.
Nevada forces drugmakers to reveal insulin pricing, profits
America's three insulin manufacturers—Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co., Sanofi and Novo Nordisk—would face fines of $5,000 daily if they fail to provide the data.
Centene to offer Obamacare in 3 more states, expand in Indiana
Health insurer Centene Corp. plans a broad expansion of its Obamacare offerings next year at a time when many of its big rivals are retreating from the program.
Drugmaker cashing in on opioid epidemic, one state law at a time
In statehouses across the country and in Congress, drugmaker Alkermes is pushing its own addiction treatment while contributing to misconceptions and stigma about other medications used to treat opioid addiction.
High court ruling speeds up generic biotech drug approval
The court's unanimous ruling Monday means a loss of billions in sales to makers of original versions of biologic drugs.
FDA asks drugmaker to stop selling its opioid painkiller
Besides contributing to overdoses, abuse of Opana ER was blamed for a 2015 outbreak of HIV and hepatitis C in southern Indiana linked to sharing needles, according to the FDA.
Anthem vows failed deal won’t derail growth plans
Just weeks after abandoning its proposed $48 billion merger with rival Cigna Corp., the Indianapolis-based health insurer is looking for its next deal. But this time, it is likely to be much smaller.
IU Health, competitors turn focus to improving experience for patients, families
Around Indiana, hospitals are doubling down on the lofty goal of patient satisfaction. Some, like IU Health, are hiring managers to oversee various aspects of the patient experience, from registration to discharge.
Anthem’s Obamacare exit could leave 300,000 without options
The loss of another insurer in the program would put more pressure on Republicans in Congress who are attempting to repeal and replace large parts of Obamacare.
Planned Parenthood names executive to succeed Cockrum
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky Inc. on Tuesday announced the hiring of a veteran not-for-profit leader to replace Betty Cockrum, who is retiring after 15 years as president and CEO of the organization.
Justices side with religious hospitals in pension dispute
Religious hospitals don't have to comply with federal laws protecting pension plans, a unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday in a case that affects retirement benefits for roughly a million workers.
Bellwether Cook blood-clot-filter case heads to trial
The first case against Bloomington-based Cook Group from patients who say the company’s blood-clot filters malfunctioned is headed for trial this fall in Indianapolis.