SWHR COVID-19 eNews

May 29, 2020

Pharmacy Update

Disclaimer: We are getting frequent COVID-related questions about drug concerns and potential interactions. This information is as of May 28, 2020. We will do our best to keep you up to date with this ever evolving situation. This is the most update information at the time of publication.

Note: There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapies for treatment or prevention of COVID-19. If at all possible, it is best to have patients enrolled in a clinical trial.

In this issue: Literature Updates

REMDESIVIR – Preliminary Findings of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Sponsored Trial

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE/CHLOROQUINE With or Without a Macrolide for Treatment of COVID-19

UTSW COVID-19 ACTION Newsletter →

Vol 1, No. 7: Produced by UT Southwestern Department of Internal Medicine; James Luby, M.D., and Robert Haley, M.D., editors.

PROVIDER ALERTS →

METFORMIN RECALL

Apotex Corp voluntarily recalled one lot of Metformin ER 500 mg on May 27, 2020 because of unacceptable levels of N-Nitrodimethylamine (NDMA) levels, a probable human carcinogen.

Deadline Approaching for Providers to Receive Additional Provider Relief Fund Payment

New! Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) via Telehealth during the Public Health Emergency (PHE)

A FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS PROVIDING NON-COVID-19 CLINICAL CARE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC →

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected the care for patients with non-Covid-19 related healthcare conditions. The fear related to Covid-19 has led to under-utilization of medical services by patients with serious medical conditions. In some cities, this lack of access has led to spike in worsening of certain medical conditions and complications related to them. As the healthcare facilities are opening up, consider this framework to prioritize in-person or telehealth visits for patients with urgent issues, but at the same time minimize risk of Covid-19 spread among patients and healthcare personnel.

This framework is not comprehensive and decision for appropriate delivery of care should be made on a case by case basis and as per provider’s clinical judgment.

GUIDANCE FOR PATIENTS/PUBLIC NAVIGATING IN THE COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC →

As our communities begin opening up, navigating safely through our daily activities outside the home is dependent upon our understanding of the guidelines outlined by health officials. The goal is to keep our patients/the public safe through continued containment of COVID-19.

Key Considerations:

Assume personal responsibility
Do an honest self-assessment
Perform protective hygiene, distance yourself physically and clean the environment.
Assess the Risk

Consider distribution of the Patient/Public Guide for those with a high, moderate, low, and "new normal" community risk of transmission.

If you have questions about items in the SWHR COVID-19 News or Southwestern Health Resources, send us an email: SWHRNews@SouthwesternHealth.org →