Health Care Hot Topics

FDA: Stop Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes Amid the epidemic levels of youth use of e-cigarettes and the popularity of certain products among children, the FDA issued a policy on January 2, 2020, prioritizing enforcement against certain unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products that appeal to kids, including fruit and mint flavors. Under this policy, companies that do not cease manufacturing, distribution, and sale of unauthorized flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes (other than tobacco or menthol) within 30 days risk FDA enforcement actions.

Cancer Mortality Continues Steady Decline As reported by the American Cancer Society, the cancer death rate declined by 29% from 1991 to 2017, including a 2.2% drop from 2016 to 2017, the largest single-year reduction in cancer mortality ever reported. The news comes from Cancer Statistics, 2020, the latest edition of the American Cancer Society’s annual report on cancer rates and trends. The steady 26-year decline in overall cancer mortality is driven by long-term drops in death rates for the four major cancers -- lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate, although recent trends are mixed.

Florida Report Shows Impact of PBM Steering Practices A recent independent study analyzing 359 million prescription drug claims in Florida highlighted predatory practices by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The study, commissioned by the Florida Pharmacy Association (FPA) and American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc. with data obtained from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) by the Small Business Pharmacies Aligned for Reform (SPAR) highlights the predatory nature of a handful of vertically integrated PBMs and managed care organizations (MCOs). The study provides concrete evidence that PBMs use a process called “steering” to direct patients to their affiliated pharmacies by requiring that insurance plans cover certain medications only if the prescriptions are filled at those specific pharmacies.

Netflix Series Sheds Light on Unsung Heroes Netflix’s The Pharmacist debuted on February 5, 2020, and is already making people think twice about this unsung health care professional. In today’s politicallycharged health care climate, it is easy for people to confuse “the pharmacist” with “big pharma” and see these doctors as “pill pushers” and one of the causes of the opioid epidemic. In reality, pharmacists often act as patient advocates and help them deprescribe— that means removing unnecessary or harmful medications.

BMJ Study: Vaccines Can Prevent Fatal Complications from Measles A study in BMJ Case Reports reveals that nearly a third of all reported cases of measles have such complications as pneumonia, hepatitis, and viral meningitis. The researchers noted that antivaccination efforts constitute a significant factor in an upsurge in cases among children and adults and that complications occur most commonly in people younger than age 5 years or older than age 20 years. The reemergence of measles is happening in the United States and other countries around the world, including Madagascar, Nigeria, and Ukraine. CDC estimates that more than 140,000 people worldwide died from measles in 2018.

FDA Approves Treatment of Peanut Allergy for Children On January 31, the FDA approved peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergen powder-dnfp (Palforzia—Aimmune Therapeutics) for the treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental peanut exposure in children. Treatment can be started in children aged 4–17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy and may be continued as a maintenance medication in those aged 4 years and older. Those who take the product must continue to avoid eating peanuts. When used in conjunction with peanut avoidance, Palforzia provides an FDA-approved treatment option to help reduce the risk of these allergic reactions in children with peanut allergy. ■

ipa annual meeting

2020

IPA’s Annual Meeting is the epicenter of pharmacy practice in Iowa. Each year pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists come together from across the state to discuss policy, share innovative ideas, and make meaningful connections with colleagues and pharmacy leaders.

Plan now to: • Take an active role in setting policy that will steer association action now • Hear and share innovative ideas to implement at your practice and advance the profession • Recharge by connecting with like-minded colleagues to build your network and opportunities for collaboration

Join us at Annual Meeting to advance and celebrate your profession and you’ll leave refreshed and invigorated to better serve your patients!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Present Your Poster - If you would like to present a poster, please submit an abstract at www.iarx.org/IPAAnnualMtgby August 31, 2020.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • House of Delegates: Session 1 • Keynote: Escaping Adulthood – Jason Kotecki • Industry Symposium & Exhibits • Organized Networking • Meet the Researchers – Poster Session • Keynote: Iowa’s Managed Care System – MCO Panel • President’s Reception • Annual Banquet • Silent Auction

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • Fun Run • Keynote: Scott Knoer, APhA CEO-designate (invited) • Meet the Researchers - Poster Session • Residents Meeting & Preceptor Programming • House of Delegates: Session 2

Please continue to watch IPA communications for event updates and a finalized agenda.