Rite Aid seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it deals with lawsuits and losses

Rite Aid Corp. said in its federal bankruptcy filing that it runs more than 2,000 stores. Most of its locations are on the East and West Coasts, including Idaho

MY TURN: Help combat Idaho opioid crisis

Start by cleaning out your medicine cabinet

SPENDING: Cheaper to fund peace

Imagine if you will, three jars of jellybeans. The first jar contains 860 jellybeans, representing the $860 billion allotted this year from the discretionary fund in the 2024 budget for the military.

OPINION: Partisan rancor takes a brief vacation

Here’s something that you don’t normally see in Washington — the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Finance Committee standing side-by-side at a news conference, talking about a bill aimed to help pharmacists and patients.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — New approach to the prevalence of back pain

If you are like most people, you have friends or family members that suffer with some form of back pain. The World Health Organization reports that low back pain is the number one cause of disability around the globe. Approximately one in five Americans suffer with some type of chronic pain according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. We are beginning to see that back pain is a very common medical condition, with 80% of adults experiencing it during their lifetime and back pain is the third most common reason for doctor visits. With such an increase in the number of adults having back pain, what is this costing the average family in medical expenses, lost wages, and much more. The most recent estimate is that $86 billion is spent annually on back pain alone in the U.S. and it is costing employers 186.7 million days of work lost per year that results in lost productivity, increased insurance and worker's compensation costs. The most common reason reported for missed work is back pain and the direct cost for missed days is estimated to be around $20 billion.

PHARMACIES: PBMs are killing independent owners

As a local pharmacist, it was refreshing for me to see an article in The Press about the challenges facing pharmacies today. Low insurance reimbursement does not affect only rural pharmacies, however, but is leading to the demise of all independently owned pharmacies. Contrary to what Greg Lopes would want you to believe, PBMs are definitely and primarily responsible for the closure of many pharmacies. Not only, as the article pointed out, are 25% of claims paid below cost, but many more pay mere pennies above the cost of the drug. After adding the direct cost of the vial, lid and label, easily 50% of claims are paid at or below cost.

Barbara J. Miller, 85

Barbara J. Miller, 85, of Athol, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2024.

'That's how deadly it is'

Prosecutor outlines challenges of fighting fentanyl as state passes tougher laws

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s far more powerful than morphine.The pills can resemble prescription narcotics like Oxycontin, but are counterfeit and often lethal.

Washington state reaches a nearly $150 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over opioid crisis

Since the 2000s, drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacy chains and consultants have agreed to pay more than $50 billion to state and local governments to settle claims that they played a part in creating the opioid crisis

EDITORIAL: Four legislators owe voters an explanation

Kootenai County Republican foursome side with

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Dangers of heartburn and reflux

With more than 15 million Americans on prescriptions for heartburn and reflux, and many more on over-the-counter (OTC) medications, we can say we have a real problem here!

Marty and Max: Real Estate Recipes

Today we will discuss two ways to buy an actively marketed home at a bargain, where you actually want to live.

Preventing pet intoxication

Our furry friends have curious natures, and even though we try our best to keep them safe and healthy, they may still get into trouble when they unknowingly eat human medications or other common household items that are toxic to them.

PHD hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, in 2021 the north Idaho region had two of the highest prescribing rates in the state.

Lots of lefse

Volunteers creating Norwegian treat to be sold at Nov. 4 Trinity Lutheran Church bazaar

Volunteers on Wednesday began turning 300 pounds of potatoes into more than 600 rounds of lefse

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — A commitment to patient-centered care

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is revolutionizing the health care landscape, offering a refreshing departure from the traditional fee-for-service model. In essence, DPC fosters a direct relationship between patients and their primary care physicians, unencumbered by insurance intermediaries. This approach prioritizes patient outcomes, access to care, and affordability in profound ways. You may have heard this be termed “membership medicine” or “concierge medicine.”

Food drive today at Ramsey Park

Event to benefit Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls food banks

The Kootenai County Democrats will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Ramsey Park, 3525 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene.

OPINION: Labrador bets heavily on abortion in his gamble to win higher office

During his first year as Idaho Attorney General, Raul Labrador has placed most of his chips on the abortion issue in his quest for higher office. He has been aided and abetted, free of charge, by Alliance Defending Freedom, a powerful extreme-right legal organization in the nation’s capital that is intent on stamping out any perceived form of abortion across the entire country. ADF played a major role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Winner, winner, turkey dinner

PF Food Bank distributing holiday birds to families in need through Wednesday

The Post Falls Food Bank has been so busy it ran out of turkeys last week. “It’s not good, but it is the reality. Post Falls in particular is growing so much and every month we’re setting records," Executive Director Leslie Orth said Friday. "We've never had this many visits."

Ida Jean Parks, 88

Ida Jean Parks (Carpenter), 88, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, with her family by her side.