• COVID-19 Updates
• Upcoming Events
• ADHD Medication Shortage
• Pharmacists Authorized to Administer Monkeypox Vaccine
• CDC Issues Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
• Indiana Regulatory News
• Ready for DCSCA?
• Part D Enrollment Beginning Soon!
• Federal Regulatory Update

FDA amends EUAs for Moderna and Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccines Authorizing Bivalent Formulations; Monovalent Vaccines No Longer Authorized as Booster Doses

• FDA News Release
• Moderna Vaccine Info
• Pfizer Vaccine Info

Patients 12 and older currently scheduled to receive a monovalent mRNA booster should reschedule their appointment to receive a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. 

Beware of potential errors with updated boosters. 

FDA Provides Additional Guidance for Paxlovid Therapy Evaluation

• Prescriber Patient Eligibility Screening Checklist

Prescribers can use checklist to evaluate potential drug interactions for Paxlovid therapy for COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Likely to Become Like Annual Flu Shot

Read story from NBC News

Pharmacists Education Foundation

Virtual 5K

Prizes for students and participants!

View more information and register. 

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October 2022

CDC Drops Universal Masking Guidelines for Healthcare Workers

CDC Updates Definition of "Fully Vaccinated"

An NCPA survey of 8,000 independent pharmacies showed 60% reported difficulty obtaining Adderall. Production delays, overprescribing and increased demand are leading to difficulties in obtaining Adderall, even though it is not officially in shortage according to the FDA. 

Read more here. 

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra signed a declaration on September 30 authorizing pharmacists to administer the monkeypox vaccine. Interns and technicians were also included in the declaration. 

Read the full declaration, which provides this authority under the PREP Act through 2032. 

Resources:

• Free Intradermal Injection Technique Course
• APhA Monkeypox Resource Page
• CE Webinar: Monkeypox: Considerations for Pharmacists, October 12

CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advises that all persons six months and older without allergic reactions to influenza vaccines get a flu shot during September or October. 

The quadrivalent vaccine will replace the trivalent vaccine this year. Those 65 and older should receive a higher dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccine. 

Read full CDC Report. 

CDC Influenza FAQs

HHS Extends Medicaid, CHIP Postpartum Coverage in Indiana

Up to 12,000 additional people will be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP for a year after pregnancy. Read more. 

IHCP Bulletin: Pharmacy Reimbursement for COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Administration

Indiana Judge Suspends Enforcement of Abortion Ban Pending Lawsuit Challenge

IHCP Bulletin: Pharmacy Updates Approved by DUR Board September 2022

IHCP Bulletin: Annual Update of ICD-10 Codes

IHCP Bulletin: Updated Age Ranges for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine & Administration Codes

NCPA is hosting a webinar on November 3 featuring Connie Jung and Julian Chun from the FDA to talk about DSCSA requirements for your pharmacy. 

Register here. 

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D starts October 15 for the 2023 plan year.  The average monthly premium for standard coverage is $31.50 a month. 

• Additional rate information
• Pharmacists Quick Reference Guide (published by NCPA)

FDA Schedules Meeting on OTC Contraception Application

Houses Passes Legislation Regarding PA Requirements in Medicare Advantage

FDA Delays Enforcement of Vet Compounding GFI 256 to April 2023

FDA Issues Guidance on Human Nonprescription Drug Labels

Judge orders HHS to restore 340B drug payments after 6-year battle Full story

CMS Releases Guidance for Insulin and Vaccines in Part D

The DEA released several guidances on the handling of controlled substances in drug take-back programs that apply to retail pharmacies. For those guidances, click here, here and here.