Pharmacists in New Jersey Would Be Able to Dispense Certain Contraceptives Under Proposed Law

Pharmacists in New Jersey would be able to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives pursuant to a standing order under a proposed New Jersey bill. Senate Bill 1073/2060 would require the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy and Board of Medical Examiners to jointly develop procedures and protocols.
 
Under the proposed law, the standardized procedures and protocols would require a patient to use a self-screening tool to identify patient risk factors for the use of self-administered hormonal contraceptives, based on the current US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
The standardized procedures and protocols would also require a pharmacist, upon furnishing a contraceptive to a patient or upon determining that a contraceptive is not recommended, to refer the patient to the patient’s primary care provider or to an appropriate and nearby medical clinic.
 
To date, the bill, sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Joseph F. Vitale, has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Naloxone Available in Some Pennsylvania Pharmacies Under Statewide Standing Order

Pennsylvania has among the highest rates of opioid-related abuse and overdose, according to this recent press release. In October 2015, Pennsylvania Physician General Rachel Levine, MD, signed astanding order that authorized pharmacists to dispense the overdose reversal drug naloxone to people who are at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. Under the standing order, ACME Markets has made naloxone available at 10 ACME Markets pharmacies, a subsidiary of Albertsons, throughout Delaware County, PA.

Source: http://www.nabp.net/news/naloxone-available-in-some-pennsylvania-pharmacies-under-statewide-standing-order?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NabpNewsroom+%28NABP+Newsroom%29

Maine to Require Providers Use E-Prescribing and Check Prescription Monitoring Data for Opioids, Benzodiazepine; Law Includes New Limits for Opioid Prescribing.

Maine to Require Providers Use E-Prescribing and Check Prescription Monitoring Data for Opioids, Benzodiazepine; Law Includes New Limits for Opioid Prescribing.

Prescribers and dispensers in Maine will be required to check prescription monitoring information when prescribing and dispensing a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication under “An Act To Prevent Opiate Abuse by Strengthening the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program” signed into law by Governor Paul LePage on April 19, 2016.

Under the law, a person who violates this rule commits a civil violation for which a $250 fine per incident may be adjudged.

Specifically, a dispenser must check prescription monitoring information prior to dispensing a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication to a person under any of the following circumstances:

a. the person is not a resident of Maine;
b. the prescription is from a prescriber with an address outside of Maine;
c. the person is paying cash when the person has prescription insurance on file; or
d. the person has not had a prescription for a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication in the previous 12-month period according to the pharmacy prescription record.
 
Further, the law (SP 671-LD 1646) establishes opioid medication prescribing limits. Prescribers may not prescribe to a patient any combination of opioid medication in an aggregate amount in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of opioid medication per day.

In addition, prescribers may not prescribe within a seven-day period more than a seven-day supply of an opioid medication to a patient under treatment for acute pain, and prescribers may not prescribe within a 30-day period more than a 30-day supply of an opioid medication to a patient under treatment for chronic pain.

Prescribers will also need to complete three hours of continuing education every two years on the prescription of opioid medication as a condition of prescribing opioid medication. The law also requires all opioid medication to be prescribed electronically by July 1, 2017. Certain sections of the law are effective January 1, 2017.

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We have recently updated Naplex Questions and Answers Book. This new 2016-2017 edition covers an updated Naplex competency statement, and is available by clicking below link. You can also view sample pages associated with this book.

https://www.pharmacyexam.com/index.cfm/product/39_17/reference-guide-for-pharmacy-licensing-exam-questions-and-answers-naplex-2016-2017-edition.cfm

https://www.pharmacyexam.com/flipbooks/naplexqa/naplexqa.html

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Might Boost Antidepressants' Effects.

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Might Boost Antidepressants' Effects.

Omega-3 fish oil supplements may improve the effectiveness of antidepressants, new research suggests.
Researchers reviewed the findings of eight clinical trials worldwide, as well as other evidence, and concluded that the supplements appear to help battle depression in people already on medication.

"Omega-3 fish oil -- in combination with antidepressants -- had a statistically significant effect over a placebo," said study leader Jerome Sarris. He is head of the ARCADIA Mental Health Research Group at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

The study looked at the result of trials where patients battling depression took either a standard antidepressant plus a form of omega-3 fish oil, versus the antidepressant plus an inactive placebo.

"The difference for patients taking both antidepressants and omega-3, compared to a placebo, was highly significant," Sarris said in a university news release. "This is an exciting finding because here we have a safe, evidence-based approach that could be considered a mainstream treatment," he explained.

Source: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_158505.html

Minnesota Pharmacies Could Take Back Prescription Medicines Under Proposed Legislation.

Minnesota Pharmacies Could Take Back Prescription Medicines Under Proposed Legislation.

Pharmacies in Minnesota would be able to collect and dispose of controlled substances (CS) and non-CS under a proposed bill (Senate File (SF) 1425). Currently, it is unlawful for Minnesota pharmacies to take back prescription drugs, reports American Pharmacists Association. The companion bill to SF 1425 is House File 1503. To date, the proposed bill was referred to the Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing for a second reading.

Sign or Sticker to Be Developed for Washington Pharmacies That Prescribe and Dispense Contraceptives.

Sign or Sticker to Be Developed for Washington Pharmacies That Prescribe and Dispense Contraceptives.

Once available from the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, a sticker or sign may be displayed at Washington pharmacies if their pharmacists are authorized to prescribe and dispense contraceptives under a collaborative drug therapy agreement. The plan aims to increase awareness of the availability of contraceptives in pharmacies. Under House Bill 2681, which was signed into law by Washington Governor Jay Inslee, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission will develop a sticker or sign to be displayed at a pharmacy that initiates or modifies drug therapy related to self-administered contraception. The law goes into effect on June 9, 2016.

Florida Law Restricts Sale of Dextromethorphan to Adults.

Florida Law Restricts Sale of Dextromethorphan to Adults.

A bill that prohibits a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer from selling a dextromethorphan product to a person younger than 18 years of age was signed into law by Florida Governor Rick Scott. An employee who sells a dextromethorphan product to a person younger than 18 years of age without a prescription is subject to a written warning for an initial violation, and civil fines may be imposed for subsequent violations. Under the law (Senate Bill 938), proof of age is required from the purchaser if the individual is presumed to be under 25 years of age. The law takes effect January 1, 2017.

Certain Utah Pharmacies to Offer Naloxone Under Collaborative Practice Agreement.

Certain Utah Pharmacies to Offer Naloxone Under Collaborative Practice Agreement.

Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, is available at Associated Food Stores retailer’s pharmacies in Utah under a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement with prescribers. Further, each pharmacist has been trained to provide patient counseling on the drug, indicates the company. A list of participating pharmacies is available in the Associated Food Stores press release. Patients under the age of 18 are required to bring an adult family member, notes Deseret News. The price of a kit ranges from $50 to $70, but patients who have insurance can get some of the cost covered, indicates Deseret News.
 
The state’s collaborative pharmacy practice agreement is defined under Senate Bill 158. Further information about dispensing naloxone in Utah is available in House Bill 119.