North Carolina Association of Pharmacists 2021, Issue 2 of 12 ncpharmacists.org
E-News ENews
Advancing Pharmacy. Improving Health.
General News NCAP Partners with NCPA Truth Campaign In January the NCAP Board of Directors approved a partnership with the National Community Pharmacy Association to run a campaign on the truth about pharmacy benefit managers. Over the past year, in a number of states, including North Carolina, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, has run negative ads against local community pharmacies. This month NCPA and NCAP Executive Director Shelton worked on press releases as part of a targeted truth campaign to refute the claims that PCMA has made. Stay tuned for more to come, including materials provided by NCAP to help you get your patients involved in our PBM legislation and the Truth Campaign.
NC DHHS Updates Quarantine Guidance
This month the NC DHHS COVID-19 website was updated to include the CDC’s quarantine guidance for those who have had a COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, people who have been fully vaccinated and meet certain criteria do not need to quarantine. Click here to review these criteria, as well as other quarantine guidance.
Pfizer Submits Data Proposing Revised Vaccine Storage Requirements
Pfizer has submitted new data to the
US FDA demonstrating the stability of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine when stored at -25C to -15C, temperatures more commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers. The data sent to FDA is to support a proposed update to the EUA Prescribing Information, which would allow for vaccine vials to be stored at these temperatures for a total of 2 weeks, as an alternative or complement to storage in ultra-low temperature freezers. Read the Pfizer press release here.
ACIP Recommends Changes for Adult Immunizations in 2021
The February 12th issue of the MMWR contains a summary of changes for a number of vaccines as recommended by the FDA Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the 2021 Adult Immunization Schedule. Vaccine-specific changes include new or updated recommendations for influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, pneumococcal, meningococcal, and zoster vaccines. Click here for more information.
ASHP Publishes Two Landmark Reports On February 16th, ASHP announced the publication of The 2021 ASHP/ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Forecast Report and the Vizient Pharmacy Network High-Value Pharmacy Enterprise Framework, both of which address the future of pharmacy departments in hospitals and health systems, as well as the importance of expanded roles for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Epidolex Descheduled Under NC Controlled Substances Act
The NC DHHS Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services completed rulemaking to deschedule Epidolex, as of March 1, 2021. The amended rule removes “approved cannabidiol drugs” from Schedule V.
More Troubling News Regarding Opioid Overdose Deaths
The CDC released a report this month on Trends and Geographic Patterns in Drug and Synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths in the U.S. from 2013-19. Overall, deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone increased 1040%, and psychostimulants increased 317%. North Carolina was included among 24 other states where there was a significant rise in drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants.
US HHS Delays Safe Harbor Protections Rebate Rule
Due to a court injunction, the effective date for removal of safe harbor protection for drug rebates and certain point-of-sale reductions in price and pharmacy benefit manager service fees has been postponed until January 1, 2023. Click here for more information on this rule.
Academy Forum & Committee News
NCAP Leaders Receive Training The chairs and chairs-elect for each of our academies, as well as our student and new practitioner forums completed training this month on NCAP’s member engagement tools, which include elec-
NCAP E-News Issue 2 of 12 Page 1