Virginia Bill to Implement Stricter Inspection Requirements for Nonresident Compounding Pharmacies Under Consideration
Stricter inspection requirements for nonresident compounding pharmacies and a clarification that distinguishes compounding from manufacturing are among the statutory changes included in House Bill 2312 currently being considered by the Virginia Legislature. If the bill passes, nonresident pharmacies will be required to submit to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy documentation of an inspection conducted within […]
Read More ›Surprise Inspections in Massachusetts Result in Cease and Desist Orders to 11 Compounding Pharmacies
Partial or complete cease and desist orders were issued to 11 compounding pharmacies by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), with another 21 pharmacies cited for minor deficiencies. The actions resulted from a round of surprise inspections of 40 Massachusetts pharmacies engaged in sterile compounding. DPH notes that the pharmacies that received notices of […]
Read More ›Another Counterfeit Cancer Medication Distributed in US, FDA Warns
FDA is alerting health care providers that an unapproved cancer medicine distributed by a United States company, Medical Device King (also known as Pharmalogical), is counterfeit. FDA reports that at least one batch of a counterfeit version of Roche’s Altuzan distributed in the US contains no active ingredient. The agency notes further that even if […]
Read More ›NABP Member Boards Take Action to Strengthen Regulation of Compounding Practice
With the multistate meningitis outbreak linked to unsafe compounding practices at the New England Compounding Center, state and federal lawmakers, regulators, government officials, and stakeholders, including NABP, are seeking to clarify the law and put in place new systems. Information on actions taken by state boards of pharmacy, including details about the compounding action plan […]
Read More ›Progress Made in Implementing Recommendations Intended to Prevent Acetaminophen Overdose
Compelling progress has been made by stakeholders seeking to address the public health issue of acetaminophen overdose, indicates a white paper published by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP). In 2011, NCPDP made recommendations that the health care industry take actions to support the safe use of acetaminophen, including recommending that pharmacies produce […]
Read More ›Philadelphia Doctor Sentenced to Seven-Year Prison Term for Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substance Medications
A Philadelphia doctor was sentenced to seven years in prison for charges related to a pill mill scheme that operated out of his office. Richard Minicozzi was convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and 17 counts of distribution of controlled substances. According to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) news release, Minicozzi was distributing hydrocodone […]
Read More ›Providers Should Ensure Only Diluted Forms of Acetic Acid are Used, ISMP Warns
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has issued a National Alert Network (NAN) notice (PDF) advising that health care organizations should take immediate steps to ensure that only diluted acetic acid solutions are used in patient care. ISMP advises that the use and purchase of glacial acetic acid, the most concentrated form of acetic […]
Read More ›FDA Committee Recommends Schedule II Classification for Drugs Containing Hydrocodone
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee recommended reclassifying hydrocodone combination products as Schedule II controlled substances after a two-day meeting, January 24-25, 2013. The committee voted 19 to 10 in favor of the recommendation after discussing the potential for abuse of drugs containing hydrocodone, either combined with other […]
Read More ›New York City Hospitals to Follow New Prescribing Guidelines Intended to Reduce Abuse of Painkillers
To help reduce abuse and overdoses of prescription pain medications, New York City public hospitals will begin following new voluntary guidelines on prescribing. Recommended by Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Task Force on Prescription Painkiller Abuse, the guidelines limit prescriptions for opioid painkillers written by emergency department providers to a three-day supply for the treatment of acute […]
Read More ›USP Seeks Candidates for Expert Panel on General Chapter Pharmaceutical Compounding – Sterile Preparations
USP is seeking qualified candidates to serve on the Pharmaceutical Compounding–Sterile Preparations Expert Panel, which will aid in the revision of USP–National Formulary General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding – Sterile Preparations. The expert panel will be chaired by Gigi Davidson, BS Pharm, DICVP, the current chair of the USP Compounding Expert Committee, and will work […]
Read More ›