NEWS ARCHIVE

To prevent a back up of your sewer and drain system, it is helpful for property owners to be aware of what might cause a back up, and what preventative measures can be taken. Whether you are purchasing a new home, or have owned your property for several years, it can provide great benefit to have a professional inspect your plumbing system and give feedback. Aging plumbing systems could have pipe… Read More »

Community pharmacists face a growing challenge: They are being asked to fill an increasing number of veterinary prescriptions. This trend is here to stay, and the challenges pharmacists face in filling pet prescriptions will be compounded if the Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2015 is enacted as law. This Act would require veterinarians to provide a prescription, up front, for pet owners to fill… Read More »

Looking for smart phone apps for Pharmacists? Type “smart phone apps for the pharmacist” in a Google search and you’ll get about 92,000,000 hits. We found it pretty easy to search through and find something for just about every aspect of pharmacy. Everything from drug guides to symptom checkers, apps about vacinations and even popular publications.We contacted two organizations that offered apps… Read More »

No businessowner wants to think about an employee stealing from them. Nor does a businessowner want to think about their vendors stealing from them. Even if we don’t want to think about these things happening, the reality is, it most likely has or will happen. Do you really know what your business insurance covers or what different types of crimes are considered in your coverage package? Read More »

Insurance fraud − in the most simple of terms − is a lie told to steal the financial protections and benefits of insurance. Read More »

Have you ever made mental note of some paperwork you have at home which deserves special treatment and safety? Maybe it is an old love letter your parents exchanged, or a copy of a special photograph. How about your social security card? If any of these things has come to mind, a safe deposit box might be something to consider. Safe deposit boxes can ensure the safety of the item from theft or… Read More »

The winter of 2014 brought with it a significant number claims related to ice dams. With the next winter approaching, we thought it would be helpful to provide some information on ice dams: how they form, strategies to prevent and/or remove them, and tips on protecting your property from resulting leaks. Read More »

Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions across the country. In 2011, over 6 million people aged 12 or older abused prescription drugs, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a government agency that conducts a national survey on related topics each year. The same survey showed that over 50% of people abusing these drugs got them from friends… Read More »

Case: An independent pharmacy filling high-doses of narcotic CNS depressants for a middle-aged man, receives notice of a claim. The patient was found unresponsive by his wife, and pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology reports indicate supratherapeutic concentrations of hydrocodone, oxycodone, and alprazolam. Additionally, multiple tablets of Oxycontin® are found in the patient’s stomach upon… Read More »

To say we have busy lives is an understatement. Most of us could use more time in our day. We have many things to do and keep track of. Caring for our families and homes are responsibilities most of us take pride in. From major home improvement projects to painting a wall, a little help can go a long way. With numerous items to maintain in a home, a reminder to change the furnace filter on… Read More »

At Pharmacists Mutual, the Risk Management department regularly reviews pharmacy crimes to evaluate ways to help member companies consider security measures in their pharmacies. A burglar often visits a pharmacy before breaking in. The average burglar visits his or her target five times; allowing them to check out motion sensors and other security measures, learn where drugs are stored, and get… Read More »

A recent edition of Pharmacy Today magazine contained an article that talked about pharmacists getting the right drug at the right dose to the right patient at the right time. The article was discussing pharmacogenetics and not dispensing errors. However, the article did remind me how critical it is to deliver the proper medication to the patient. Read More »

The term Active Shooter is fairly new in the lexicon of crime. It became popular in the past decade as a way of quickly describing situations where a person or persons was in the area, armed and intent on doing harm. Over the years, active shooter incidents have included shootings at post offices, schools, offices, factories and public gatherings. Read More »

Each year in the United States there are over 360,000 home fires reported to fire departments. The chance of your household becoming part of these statistics in your lifetime is 1 in 4. If you include fires not reported to the fire department, estimates from the National Fire Prevention Association indicate that each household can expect a fire once every 15 years, or five times in a lifetime.… Read More »

We hear this question on a regular basis. We hear many reasons why a pharmacist or pharmacy owner does not feel it is necessary to have a personal policy. Think about the principle of auto insurance. We know we insure our own car, but sometimes the problem is whether the other driver has insurance. Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Companies will be exhibiting and participating in presentations during the NCPA Annual Convention held October 13 – 19, 2016, in New Orleans, LA. PMC is always happy to meet members and prospective members. Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company participates in the Healthiest State Walk 2016 On October 5,thousands of Iowans will again support Iowa’s efforts to become a healthier state with the goal of having at least one organized walk in all 99 counties.I’m pleased to announce that this statewide effort will include Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company. This walk represents more than just 30 minutes… Read More »

Hurricane Matthew, a large category three hurricane heading towards the southeast United States, is expected to bring strong winds, heavy surf, and torrential rain beginning late Thursday or early Friday. Current forecasts are uncertain if a landfall will occur. We are concerned about you and your family’s well-being. Being prepared may be the one thing you can control. Read More »

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We are pleased to share that Pharmacists Mutual has been named as a 2016 Ward’s 50 top performing company. What does that mean? We are being recognized for being one of the top 50 Property and Casualty insurers in the United States. The Ward Group reviewed nearly 3000 insurers using multiple metrics for safety, consistency, and performance, and ranked PMC in the top 50 (top 2%). Thank You to our… Read More »

Pharmacies across the country continue to be the targets of burglars and robbers seeking drugs. Pharmacists Mutual provides an in-depth look at the problem and measures pharmacists need to take to protect themselves in this examination of pharmacy crime. Read More »

“It’s Self-Evident – Equip all technicians with scan verification software” Read More »

Healthcare Data Breaches – 2015 was a record year Read More »

Who are they and what are they thinking? Offenders and pharmacy robbery and burglary. Read More »

Kristen Jones, PharmD, Risk Management Consultant Read More »