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Pharmacy

Westchester Pharmacies Tied To $11.5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Former Owner Gets Prison Time Westchester Pharmacies Tied To $11.5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Former Owner Gets Prison Time
Westchester Pharmacies Tied To $11.5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Former Owner Gets Prison Time The owner of several pharmacies in Westchester County and New York City has been sentenced to prison for running a multimillion-dollar Medicaid fraud scheme that endangered vulnerable HIV patients, officials said. Aftab Hussain was sentenced to two to six years in prison for stealing over $11.5 million through a scheme involving illegal kickbacks and black market medications, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20.  According to the AG's Office, Hussain owned or controlled more than 20 pharmacies, including some in Westchester County, where he exploited low-…
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says A cybersecurity “issue” has led the parent company of a supermarket chain to disconnect some systems to protect them. Ahold Delhaize USA said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network. "Immediately upon detecting the issue, our security teams began an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts," the company said. "We also notified law enforcement." The move affects: Stop & Shop, which has around 400 locations in New England, New York, and New Jersey; Hannaford, with stores in eastern upstate New York and New England; Giant Company, with…
COVID-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts COVID-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts
Covid-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts With respiratory illness season underway, the New York State Department of Health is actively urging residents aged 6 months and older to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine.  This recommendation aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recent update, which emphasizes the importance of a second dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine for older adults and those at higher risk. The CDC now advises that adults aged 65 and older, along with individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, should receive a second dose six months after their initial vaccination. This u…
CVS To Lay Off Nearly 3K Workers CVS To Lay Off Nearly 3K Workers
CVS To Lay Off Nearly 3K Workers CVS announced it will lay off nearly 3,000 workers as part of a cost-cutting move aimed at saving $2 billion. These approximately 2,900 layoffs, primarily in corporate roles in the company's CVS Health division, represent less than 1 percent of the company's workforce, CVS said.  "The reductions will not impact front-line jobs in our stores, pharmacies and distribution centers,” a CVS spokesperson told CNN. The move comes a day after CVS management met with major shareholder Glenview Capital to discuss the company’s deficits and its dipping stock price, according to CNBC. Founded in…
COVID-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season COVID-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season
Covid-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season Now that the new COVID-19 vaccine is available in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging residents to get their updated shots ahead of this year's respiratory virus illness season. Related story - COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases In an announcement this week, Hochul encouraged eligible New Yorkers to get the new Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, offered by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax.  According to Hochul, receiving the new vaccine is more pressing as students return to school and …
Westchester Physician, NY Pharmacist Illegally Prescribed, Dispensed Opioids: Feds Westchester Physician, NY Pharmacist Illegally Prescribed, Dispensed Opioids: Feds
Westchester Physician, NY Pharmacist Illegally Prescribed, Dispensed Opioids: Feds A Westchester County physician and a pharmacy owner from Long Island both face federal charges in connection with their alleged illegal distribution of highly addictive opioids, officials announced.  Nassau County resident Feroze Nazirbage of Bellerose, age 50, and Larchmont resident Mordechai Bar, age 71, were both arrested on Wednesday, June 5 and charged with illegally diverting oxycodone and other controlled substances, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, Nazirbage, who is associated wit…
Dentist In Hudson Valley Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining Oxycodone For Her Own Use Dentist In Hudson Valley Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining Oxycodone For Her Own Use
Dentist In Hudson Valley Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining Oxycodone For Her Own Use A dentist from the Hudson Valley has pleaded guilty to obtaining oxycodone for her own use. Ulster County resident Vivian Letizia, age 63, of Stone Ridge, made the plea on Friday, April 15, according to US Attorney Carla Freedman. In pleading guilty, Letizia admitted that, in December 2019, she fraudulently submitted a prescription for oxycodone for one of her dentistry patients using that patient’s name and date of birth, the US Attorney's Office said. Letizia then obtained the oxycodone from a pharmacy in Woodstock, for her own consumption. At the time Letizia submitted the prescription …
COVID-19: Stop & Shop Pharmacies Now Offering Anti-Viral Medication COVID-19: Stop & Shop Pharmacies Now Offering Anti-Viral Medication
Covid-19: Stop & Shop Pharmacies Now Offering Anti-Viral Medication Stop & Shop has begun offering two approved COVID-19 antiviral medicines, Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's Molnupiravir at its 55 New York pharmacies. The mega-supermarket chain made the announcement on Thursday, April 7, that the drugs would be available at no cost with a valid prescription from a health care provider. The COVID-19 anti-viral medication Molnupiravir can be prescribed to those 18 and older, while Paxlovid is authorized for use by adults and children ages 12 and older weighing at least 88 pounds, store officials said. Availability of the anti-viral oral prescript…
CVS To Hire 25,000 Ahead Of Flu Season In Nationwide One-Day Virtual Event CVS To Hire 25,000 Ahead Of Flu Season In Nationwide One-Day Virtual Event
CVS To Hire 25,000 Ahead Of Flu Season In Nationwide One-Day Virtual Event CVS Health announced plans to hire another 25,000 employees ahead of flu season. CVS will recruit candidates for clinical and retail jobs during an online, one-day national career event on Friday, Sept. 24, the company said in an announcement on Monday, Sept. 20. The new positions will help CVS respond to community needs during flu season and continue to respond to the demand for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, the company said. "Every flu season we need additional team members," said Neela Montgomery, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Pharmacy. "But this year…
Suspects At Large After Area Pharmacy Burglary, Police Say Suspects At Large After Area Pharmacy Burglary, Police Say
Suspects At Large After Area Pharmacy Burglary, Police Say Police investigators are seeking the public’s assistance as they investigate a burglary at an area pharmacy where the suspects sought drugs, authorities said. Police in Rockland County said that at approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20, suspects broke into NeighboRx on North Middletown Road in Pearl River by breaking the glass on the front door and gaining illegal entry to the pharmacy. According to police, multiple suspects all wore hoodies to conceal their identities, and the initial investigation found that they were targeting narcotics. The burglary remains under investigation. Anyo…
COVID-19: Stop & Shop Now Offering Same-Day Vaccinations COVID-19: Stop & Shop Now Offering Same-Day Vaccinations
Covid-19: Stop & Shop Now Offering Same-Day Vaccinations Stop & Shop has become the latest to begin offering walk-in, same-day COVID-19 vaccines. In an effort to expand vaccination efforts, the grocery giant announced that it has the supply to begin offering either the two-dose Moderna or one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine at its more than 250 pharmacies to all eligible customers. Customers can still schedule an appointment online, but they are no longer required to receive an immunization. Anyone who gets a first dose of Moderna will have their second appointment scheduled on location following the administration of the shot. Related …
COVID-19: ShopRite To Administer Vaccines COVID-19: ShopRite To Administer Vaccines
Covid-19: ShopRite To Administer Vaccines ShopRite has reached a partnership agreement with federal health agencies to begin distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. Wakefern Food Corp.’s announced this week that it has entered a Pharmacy Partnership Vaccination Program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help administer COVID-19 vaccinations now that more doses have been distributed to states. The pharmacies are reportedly already working with state and local leaders to start the process of vaccinating healthcare and other essential employees during the fir…
Cancer Fears Prompt Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS To Suspend Sale Of Zantac Cancer Fears Prompt Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS To Suspend Sale Of Zantac
Cancer Fears Prompt Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS To Suspend Sale Of Zantac Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS are all temporarily taking heartburn medicine Zantac off their shelves due to the potential presence of a human carcinogen. The move comes after a product alert was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning that the products contain low levels of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Zantac has not currently been recalled, but the FDA is researching to determine if the low levels of NDMA pose a risk. The initial report found that the amounts “barely exceed amounts found in common foods.” CVS was first to pull the product, announcing the move Saturday, Sept…
CVS Sets Up Mobile Pharmacy In Westchester Following Fire CVS Sets Up Mobile Pharmacy In Westchester Following Fire
CVS Sets Up Mobile Pharmacy In Westchester Following Fire CVS is setting up a mobile pharmacy in Larchmont after a fire tore through the Ferndale Shopping Center, damaging the store late last year. A two-alarm fire broke out at Excelsior Cleaners on Boston Post Road in Larchmont at approximately 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The fire quickly spread through the shopping center, damaging several adjoining buildings, including a CVS, which suffered flood damage. In response, CVS announced it will be opening up a fully-staffed, mobile pharmacy in front of the store at 1310 Boston Post Road in Larchmont. The pharmacy is expected to be open from 8 a.m. …
Newly Wrapped Up CVS Acquisition Of Aetna Could Change Game In Health Care Newly Wrapped Up CVS Acquisition Of Aetna Could Change Game In Health Care
Newly Wrapped Up CVS Acquisition Of Aetna Could Change Game In Health Care CVS Health is ready to close on a deal with Aetna Inc. health insurer that could open new doors for prescription delivery services, according to Supermarket News. CVS announced the value of the transaction to total $78 billion on Wednesday, Nov. 28, which includes $70 billion to purchase Aetna and the remainder to cover existing debts. While the Aetna brand will still be used for health insurance products, the companies’ combined shares will be listed under the ‘CVS’ symbol on the NYSE. Aetna, based in Hartford, will run as a separate business under CVS Health. “Today marks the start of a …
Recall Issued For Birth Control Pills Recall Issued For Birth Control Pills
Recall Issued For Birth Control Pills A popular birth control product has been recalled voluntarily because they were packaged with inaccurate directions, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Janssen Pharmaceuticals has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of Ortho-Novum 1/35 tablets and two lots of Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 tablets to the pharmacy level. According to the FDA, the “patient information provided inside the affected packages does not include the appropriate instructions for the Veridate dispenser.” “Women should continue to take the 21 ‘active’ pills (with hormones) (peach for Ortho-Novum 1/35; white, light-p…
Suspect Tried To Use Doctor's Professional Credentials To Get Drugs In Westchester, Police Say Suspect Tried To Use Doctor's Professional Credentials To Get Drugs In Westchester, Police Say
Suspect Tried To Use Doctor's Professional Credentials To Get Drugs In Westchester, Police Say Police are investigating a suspect who allegedly attempted to use a doctor’s prescription information to obtain narcotics. A doctor reported to members of the department at Scarsdale Police Headquarters on Saturday that someone had used her professional credentials without her consent to prescribe narcotics on two separate occasions. According to police, the woman was contacted by a pharmacy on Oct. 18 to confirm a past prescription request, which was called in by phone days earlier. Investigators noted that the pharmacy did not request or authorize the prescription or issue any drugs. The…
WMC Explains How To Maximize Your Visit To The Pharmacy Aisle WMC Explains How To Maximize Your Visit To The Pharmacy Aisle
WMC Explains How To Maximize Your Visit To The Pharmacy Aisle From aspirin to allergy medicine, navigating the aisles of a drugstore can seem like a complicated task. However, with a little forehand knowledge and some basic symptoms, finding the right solution for an illness doesn't always require a trip to a doctor. In drugstore aisles, over-the-counter medications are organized by symptoms. To find the right match, think about cause. “When you see your symptoms on the front of the box, flip it over to see the active ingredients,” said Steven Seeberger, RPH, director of pharmacy services at Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical …
Rite Aid, Albertsons -- With $83 Billion In Revenue -- To Merge Rite Aid, Albertsons -- With $83 Billion In Revenue -- To Merge
Rite Aid, Albertsons -- With $83 Billion In Revenue -- To Merge Supermarket giant Albertsons said Tuesday, Feb. 20 that it plans to buy the remnants of the struggling Rite Aid drugstore chain, according to multiple news reports. But this report by Fortune said Albertsons might be buying a lemon in Rite Aid.  Albertsons is touting a better ability to serve pharmacy customers as one of the merger's potential benefits. But in Rite Aid, Albertsons, a chain which operates grocery stores such as Safeway and Jewel-Osco on top of its namesake, is buying a severely diminished drugstore chain, Fortune reported. Meanwhile, Walmart saw its stock drop by more than…