Local News
Kissell addresses CVS Caremark investigation
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 — On Friday, Congressman Larry Kissell was applauding the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to investigate CVS Caremark.
CVS Caremark has announced that they are the subject of an FTC nonpublic investigation. Back in August, Kissell urged the FTC to investigate the $27 billion merger of the retail pharmacy giant and the largest pharmacy benefits manager in a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz.
“I requested the FTC investigate this merger after many of my constituents and local pharmacies in my district complained of unfair business practices on the part of CVS Caremark. I appreciate Chairman Lei-bowitz and the FTC looking into this merger,” Kissell said.
“We cannot allow a company to continue to manipulate patients and drive our local pharmacies out of business. These types of unfair business practices and anti-competitive be-haviors are harmful to consumers and community pharmacies.”
Kissell called for the investigation after allegations arose involving patients receiving letters stating higher co-pays or loss of coverage unless prescriptions were transferred to CVS or Caremark mail order; non-CVS consumers having their confidential patient records used to fill prescriptions at CVS without their knowledge; and consumers having been directed by Caremark-operated Medicare Part D plans to switch their prescriptions to CVS which subsequently results in their plan charged upwards of 3,800 percent more for a drug than at their local pharmacies — pushing them through the “doughnut hole” gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage sooner.
CVS Caremark admitted to being investigated in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commis-sion.
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Fair opens tonight
Rides, games, music and more hit the Stanly County Fairgrounds tonight in the form of the 76th annual Stanly County Fair, sponsored by American Legion Post 76. This year, the rides will be put on by J&J Amusements.
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Even though deadline has passed, SCS still accepts donations
With donations still coming in, the school tools campaign has been deemed a success according to Pokie Noland, Stanly County Schools director of student services.
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Albemarle Police Report
Albemarle Police Department reports the following activity:
• Mitchell Jermaine White, 22, was arrested on a charge of possession of Sch. II on Lundix Street at Washington Lane, Aug. 27. -
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report
Stanly County Sheriff’s Office reports the following activity:
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Pedestrians, motorists urged to be cautious at Pfeiffer
A Pfeiffer University student had a brush with death when crossing the road on Wednesday.
According to Misenheimer Police Chief Tracey Wyrick, the student assumed that an approaching vehicle would stop as a courtesy. This misunderstanding led to the student nearly being struck. -
West teacher receives state business award
A local teacher has won one of the highest education awards in the state.
John Thompson, a business education teacher at West Stanly High School (WSHS), recently received the Orus B. Sutton Award, which is presented to the Outstanding Business and Information Technology Teacher of the Year in North Carolina. -
Committee discusses renovations to school facilities
Many of the local schools will be getting a makeover this school year. In its meeting last week, the Stanly County Board of Education Facilities Committee discussed specific renovations to the schools.
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Stanly County Sheriff’s Report
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report announces the following activity:
• Robert M. Burroughs, Sutton Springs Road, Charlotte, reported damage to property, Aug. 20. -
Correspondent no longer with TV station
UNC-TV Senior Legislative Correspondent Eszter Vajda is no longer employed at the state’s public television network as of Aug. 18, according to Gail Zimmermann, associate general manager of the station.
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