Technicians’ academy board meets for first time

The new GPhA Academy of Pharmacy Technicians had its first board of directors meeting Wednesday, via teleconference — a great way to make the most of everyone’s time (and save them the trouble of navigating Atlanta’s lovely highways).

We’re always a little apprehensive about using new technology, but this went off without a hitch. And admit it — it looks cool, too:

The reborn Academy of Pharmacy Technicians has been in the works for several months, and we’re excited to see it come to life. GPhA represents all pharmacy professionals, and APT helps us be sure to connect with the thousands of pharmacy techs across the state.

As for the day’s business: Emily Durham was elected chairperson of the academy, and Bre Lowery was elected co-chair. We expect we’ll be hearing a lot more from them soon!

The cost of smoking: Georgia edition

When it comes to paying for smoking, Georgia ranks highest in the country — that is, smoking costs Georgians more than any other state when you take into account the out-of-pocket cash, lost wages due to illness, and the cost to treat smoking-related illness. That’s according to new data from WalletHub.

Get this: The average Georgian smoker spends more than $87,000 over his or her life just paying for cigarettes (and cigars), and will incur more than $120,000 in healthcare costs because of it.

Lilly to publish prices

Getting a jump on a potential new FDA requirement, Eli Lilly is giving the public access to the list price and average out-of-pocket cost of its Trulicity diabetes med — as well as info about patient-assistance programs.

Television ads for the drug direct viewers to a website with the detailed info; the company said it would offer the same transparency with its other drugs soon.

Acne treatment: So that’s why it works

Isotretinon, known as Accutane to most of us, helps clear up acne. Fun fact: Scientists aren’t entirely sure why it works. Now they know more — apparently it actually changes the skin’s microbiome to be more like that of acne-free people.

Microbiomes. Is there anything they can’t do?

More hospitals join to produce their own generic meds

Back in September we told you how several major hospital chains had formed a company, Civica Rx, to produce their own generic drugs — an obvious way to cut costs.

Now, less than a year after that initial announcement, 12 more health systems have joined the group, bringing the total to about 750 hospitals across the country.

Opioid addicts turning to Imodium

The anti-diarrhea medicine helps reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal for users who can’t get into a treatment program or don’t have access to (read: can’t afford) Suboxone. That’s led more and more of them to turn to the OTC aisle to self-medicate.

Elsewhere: Washington moves toward universal coverage

Hot on the heels of California and New York City announcing plans to essentially offer free health treatment for all their residents, Washington’s governor is proposing to add a “public option” to that state’s healthcare exchange as a step toward universal healthcare.