December 16, 2020 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: December 14, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Subject: Formulary Update Business: Medi-Cal Effective 02/01/2021, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Formulary Status Changes For Hidradenitis Suppurativa - Adalimumab (Humira) 10mg/0.2mL, 20mg/0.2mL, 40mg/0.4mL, and 80mg/0.8mL syringe/pen: PA required. [...]
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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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Formulary updates effective for April 19, 2021
February 22, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: February 22, 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 Business: Medi-Cal Effective 04/19/2021, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Additions to the Formulary: Sodium Ferric Gluconate/Sucrose (Ferrlecit) 62.5mg/5ml vial: No restrictions. Ferumoxytol [...]Read more
Clinical Review: Recommendations for the Management of Acute Dental Pain
February 10, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Review recommendations of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) regarding routine management for acute dental pain, including the recommendations for non-opioid analgesics as first line agents Describe factors to consider when prescribing medications for the relief of acute dental pain Understand the risks associated with using […]
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DHCS Guidance – COVID-19 Vaccines & Vaccination Administration
January 7, 2021 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Claims Corner, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: January 7, 2021 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Providers and Pharmacists From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Subject: DHCS Guidance – COVID-19 Vaccines & Vaccination Administration Business: Medi-Cal The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has now issued guidance for all Medi-Cal managed care health care plans regarding both COVID-19 vaccine [...]Read more
Formulary Update – Effective 02/01/2021
December 16, 2020 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: December 14, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Physicians, Providers, and Pharmacies From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Subject: Formulary Update Business: Medi-Cal Effective 02/01/2021, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Formulary Status Changes For Hidradenitis Suppurativa - Adalimumab (Humira) 10mg/0.2mL, 20mg/0.2mL, 40mg/0.4mL, and 80mg/0.8mL syringe/pen: PA required. [...]Read more
Important Update for Pharmacy Benefits Change: April 1, 2021
November 20, 2020 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Non-Contracted Provider, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: November 20, 2020 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Provider Network From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Subject: Important Update for Pharmacy Benefits Change: • NEW – Effective Date moved to April 1, 2021 • State requests continued registration & preparation • Meanwhile: No change – HPSJ will continue to offer the pharmacy [...]Read more
Drug Safety Communication: Stronger Warning Labels for Benzodiazepines
October 30, 2020 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Benzodiazepines are used to treat a variety of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, seizures, social phobia, and panic disorder. They are also used before some medical procedures as a premedication. On September 23, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a requirement that the Boxed Warning must be updated for all benzodiazepines […]
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