May 22, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: May 22, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: HPSJ Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Subject: Formulary Update Business: Medi-Cal Effective August 3, 2020, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes. Additions to the Formulary: 1. Dulaglutide (Trulicity) 0.75 mg/0.5 mL, 1.5mg/0.5ml pen: PA required. Reserved [...]
Read more
NP Thyroid recall provider alert
May 29, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: May 28, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Pharmacies and Providers From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: NP Thyroid Recall Business: Medi-Cal We are sending this alert because your patients may have filled a prescription for NP Thyroid 30mg, 60mg or 90mg within the last six months (180 days). With FDA knowledge, Acella […]
Read more
Formulary Update Effective 8/3/2020
May 22, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: May 22, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: HPSJ Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Subject: Formulary Update Business: Medi-Cal Effective August 3, 2020, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes. Additions to the Formulary: 1. Dulaglutide (Trulicity) 0.75 mg/0.5 mL, 1.5mg/0.5ml pen: PA required. Reserved [...]Read more
Drug Safety Communication: Withdrawal of All Ranitidine Products
May 5, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Drug Safety Communication: Withdrawal of All Ranitidine Products Ranitidine is a histamine-2 blocker commonly used as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to relieve and prevent heartburn. Prescription-strength ranitidine is also used to treat and prevent more serious ulcers in the stomach and intestines. On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a […]
Read more
Improving Quality of Care: Update of Risks Associated with Use of Fluoroquinolones
May 5, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Describe the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug safety communications for fluoroquinolones. Identify potential adverse effects associated with use of fluoroquinolones. Summarize best practices for responsible prescribing of fluoroquinolones. Key Points: Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are FDA-approved to treat various bacterial infections, including infections caused by gram-negative bacilli. Over the […]
Read more
Mitigating health impacts: Secondary Stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic
April 13, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: April 13, 2018 To: HPSJ Providers (HPSJ) Providers, Practices, and Facilities From: HPSJ Provider Services Department Subject: Mitigating health impacts: Secondary Stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic) Business: Medi-Cal “First and foremost, HPSJ appreciates you - providers, practitioners, and facilities - for your tremendous commitment to take care of patients with the COVID 19 [...]Read more
Drug Safety Communication: Mental Health Side Effects from Montelukast
April 8, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist approved for asthma and allergies. On March 4, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is strengthening existing warnings about serious behavior and mood-related changes with montelukast. While the prescribing information for montelukast already includes warnings about mental health side effects, including suicidal thoughts or actions, [...]Read more
ALL Ranitidine Products Recall – Immediate Action Needed
April 3, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: April 3, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Pharmacies and Providers & Practices From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: ALL Ranitidine Products Recall – Immediate Action Needed Business: Medi-Cal We are sending this alert because your patient(s) may have filled a prescription for Ranitidine within the last six months (180 days). Issue: The […]
Read more
Pharmacy Updates – During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
April 1, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: March 31, 2018 To: HPSJ Providers, Practices (PCPs & Specialists), Hospitals and Ancillary Facilities From: HPSJ Provider Services Department Subject: Pharmacy Updates – During COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Business: Medi-Cal PHARMACY UPDATES – Health Plan of San Joaquin has notified our Pharmacy Network and our PBM (MC-Rx Powered by ProCare Rx) to authorize early refills for […]
Read more
FDA alerts patients and health care professionals of EpiPen auto-injector errors related to device malfunctions and user administration
March 24, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
FDA is alerting patients, caregivers and health care professionals that EpiPen 0.3mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15mg auto-injectors, and the authorized generic versions, may potentially have delayed injection or be prevented from properly injecting due to: Device failure from spontaneous activation caused by using sideways force to remove the blue safety release Device failure from inadvertent […]
Read more
Phenytoin 125mg/5ml suspension Recall
March 6, 2020 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: March 6, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Pharmacies From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: Phenytoin 125mg/5ml suspension Recall Business: Medi-Cal We are sending this alert because your patients may have filled a prescription for Phenytoin 125mg/5ml suspension within the last six months (180 days). The reason for the recall is that product […]
Read more