Iowa agency sues pharmacy for HIV medication reimbursements
The state of Iowa is suing a pharmacy chain for keeping $22 million in HIV medication profits that was supposed to be turned over to the state (Iowa Capitol Dispatch). In a lawsuit filed in early March, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says NuCara, acting as the primary vendor for HIV medications, failed to turn over profits generated by selling HIV medication purchased by HHS at a discounted price, but sold to clients with insurance at full price. Iowa Capital Dispatch explains that the HHS contract with NuCara required the pharmacy to turn over the resulting profit, except for a $75 processing fee. NuCara is also likely to be purchased by another company that does not plan to cover NuCara’s liabilities. NuCara operates 30 pharmacies throughout Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Texas, the Dispatch reports. The company had not responded to the lawsuit as of March 16.
Period cup tested in space offered at discounted price through March
IOWA CITY — The Lunette period cup, which passed a test for use in space in December, is available at the Emma Goldman Clinic for a discounted price through March 31. The special offer is part of the clinic’s Product of the Month program. Lunette and other period cups cut down on paper waste, can be more comfortable than tampons or pads, and also can help minimize odor. The Lunette brand was tested in space as part of a program to help find menstruating female astronauts an alternative to hormonal suppression, currently their only choice if they participate in long-term space missions (Cornell Chronicle). This month’s special offer also includes a free wash kit for the period cup, which can last up to 10 years with proper maintenance. Other products of the month offered by the reproductive care clinic lately include heating pads, the o-pill daily contraceptive, menstrual pads, acetominophen and ibuprofen.
New Rick Miller Library offers 4,000 LGBTQ+ books
DES MOINES — A new LGBTQ+ library by the Des Moines Pride Center features at least 4,000 periodicals, and you can visit every Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. (We Are Iowa). The Rick Miller Library, named after community leader and dsm Magazine 2020 Legacy Leader Rick Miller, opened in January in the Des Moines Pride Center. Miller first assembled an LGBTQ+ library in the 1990s, We Are Iowa reports, but the building where it was housed burned down. Miller was honored in 2020 for his volunteer work over the years with the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus and the Gay Coalition of Des Moines. The library, partially funded by a grant from the Polk County Board of Supervisors, is located at the Des Moines Pride Center, 1620 Pleasant St., Des Moines.
