ISMP: Respond to consumers’ error concerns with empathy and honesty
This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, an ECRI affiliate. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) receives frequent reports of medication errors directly from patients. While patients are understandably concerned about errors, the patients who report to us are usually more upset about the response (or lack of) from the […]
Read More ›PCSC Warns of Additional Product Ordering and Recall Fraud Incidents
The information published in this column was provided by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition. Healthcare Distribution Alliance Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition (PCSC) is warning the pharmacy industry of several product ordering/recall fraud incidents, several of which have resulted in losses. To help licensees be aware of current trends, PCSC notes the following: Several […]
Read More ›First Four Bulk Drug Substances Added to 503B Bulks List
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added the first four bulk drug substances to the 503B Bulks List to provide Americans access to compounded medicines when they cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug. The first four added drug substances for topical use that may be used for compounding by outsourcing facilities include: diphenylcyclopropenone, glycolic […]
Read More ›FDA Approves Update to iPLEDGE REMS Program, Urges Manufacturer Group to Solve Website Issues
FDA has approved an update to the iPLEDGE Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. The centralized system helps inform pharmacies, prescribers, and patients about any serious risks associated with isotretinoin to prevent fetal exposure. Since the system changes were implemented in mid-December 2021, some users have experienced problems with the updated website, including patients […]
Read More ›HHS Releases Treatment-Focused Overdose Prevention Strategy
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the release of their new treatment-focused Overdose Prevention Strategy in response to the rising trends in drug overdoses. The Overdose Prevention Strategy is designed to increase access to care and services for individuals who use substances that put them at risk for overdoses, and […]
Read More ›Beware of Three Unique Phishing Scams Impacting Pharmacy
The information published in this column was provided by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition There are three types of phishing scams making the rounds within the pharmacy and pharmaceutical industries, according to Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition (PCSC). Below are brief summaries of the three types of phishing schemes […]
Read More ›ISMP Provides Safe Practice Recommendations to Prevent COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Mix-Ups
This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI affiliate. Multiple mix-ups between the pediatric formulation (ages five through 11 years; orange cap and label border) and the formulation for individuals 12 years old or older of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine have been reported to the Institute […]
Read More ›NASPA, APhA Release Updated State Fact Sheets Highlighting Important Role of Pharmacists
Highlighting the integral role pharmacists play in a health care team, updated State Fact Sheets from the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) are now available. As highlighted in these documents, pharmacists improve the health outcomes of patients with direct services such as vaccine administration, medication therapy management, […]
Read More ›New Survey Results Show Americans Are Prioritizing Cost Over Safety When Buying Medications Online
Most Americans are prioritizing cost and convenience over safety when shopping for medications online, according to a 2021 survey from the ASOP Global Foundation. The survey measured Americans’ perceptions and use of online pharmacies, as well as their awareness of and response to the federal government’s final rule on prescription drug importation. More than one-third […]
Read More ›CDC Data Show Record Numbers of Overdose Deaths in 2020
According to provisional data on drug overdose deaths in 2020, nearly 93,331 people have died from overdoses in the United States. The data, released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics, is the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded. According to the data, a nearly 30% increase […]
Read More ›