May 13, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: May 13, 2021 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Subject: Formulary Update - Effective 07/19/2021 Business: Medi-Cal Effective 07/19/2021, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes. Additions to the Formulary Teprotumumab (Tepezza) 500mg vial: Reserved for [...]
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2021 Immunization Updates: COVID-19, Influenza, and Meningococcal Disease
October 20, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Each year, the California Medi-Cal Drug Use Review (DUR) program issues an annual summary of updates on immunization guidelines, products, and/or research in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Immunization Branch. For reference, the recommended immunization schedules for 2021 in the United States can be accessed on the Centers for Disease Control […]
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Formulary Update – Effective November 30th, 2021
September 22, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: September 22 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Subject: Formulary Update - Effective November 30th, 2021 Business: Medi-Cal Managed Care Effective 11/30/2021, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes. Additions to the Formulary Eluxadoline (Viberzi) 75 [...]Read more
Updated: Voluntary Recall of Varenicline (Chantix) Lots Containing Nitrosamine
September 20, 2021 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
UPDATED: Drug Safety Communication: Voluntary Recall of Varenicline (Chantix) Due to Nitrosamine Varenicline is a prescription medicine that is used to help adults quit smoking. On September 17, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary manufacturer recall of all lots of varenicline (Chantix) 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets due to […]
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FDA Requests Removal of Pregnancy Contraindication for Statins
September 17, 2021 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Statins are a class of prescription medications that act by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for making cholesterol. Statins are commonly used for preventing and treating the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls (atherosclerosis) and have been shown to […]
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Chantix Products Recall – IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
July 28, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: July 28, 2021 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Pharmacies and Providers From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: Chantix Products Recall – IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED Business: Medi-Cal Managed Care We are sending this alert because one or more of your patient(s) may have filled a prescription for Chantix Tablets within the last six months [...]Read more
For Outpatient Patient Care – Current Medications for Outpatient Treatment of COVID-19
July 12, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: July 12, 2021 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) All Contracted and Non-Contracted Providers From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Subject: For Outpatient Patient Care – Current Medications for Outpatient Treatment of COVID-19 Business: Medi-Cal Managed Care Management of COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. There are only a few medications that have obtained Emergency [...]Read more
Drug Safety Communication: Potential Increased Arrhythmia Risk from Lamotrigine
May 13, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Lamotrigine is a sodium channel blocker that is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat seizures. Lamotrigine may also be used as a maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder to help delay the occurrence of mood episodes such as depression, mania, or hypomania. On March 31, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [...]Read more
Formulary Update – Effective 07/19/2021
May 13, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: May 13, 2021 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Subject: Formulary Update - Effective 07/19/2021 Business: Medi-Cal Effective 07/19/2021, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes. Additions to the Formulary Teprotumumab (Tepezza) 500mg vial: Reserved for [...]Read more
Formulary Update – FORA V30 Meters are replaced with FORA Premium V10 Meters
April 20, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: April 19, 2021 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Subject: Formulary Update – FORA V30 Meters are replaced with FORA Premium V10 Meters Business: Medi-Cal The FORA V30a Blood Glucose Monitors are being discontinued by the manufacturer. Therefore, they will be replaced with [...]Read more
Clinical Review: Recommendations for the Tapering of Benzodiazepines
April 2, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Explain why long-term use of benzodiazepines should be limited Describe clinical circumstances when tapering of benzodiazepines should be considered Identify clinical and patient-specific factors to consider when designing a benzodiazepine taper Recognize signs of withdrawal and when to slow down a benzodiazepine taper Key Points: Overprescribing benzodiazepines and co-prescribing benzodiazepines with opioids may […]
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