February 13, 2020 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: February 13, 2020 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 04/20/2020, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Additions to the Formulary: Phentermine (Adipex-P) 15mg, 30mg, 37.5mg capsule: No restrictions. Nateglinide […]
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Drug Safety Communication: Mental Health Side Effects from Montelukast
April 8, 2020 / by Health Plan / 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 Health Plan / 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 […]
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Pharmacy Updates – During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
April 1, 2020 / by Health Plan / 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 […]
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FDA alerts patients and health care professionals of EpiPen auto-injector errors related to device malfunctions and user administration
March 24, 2020 / by Health Plan / 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 […]
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Phenytoin 125mg/5ml suspension Recall
March 6, 2020 / by Health Plan / 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 […]
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Formulary Update Effective 4/20/2020
February 13, 2020 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: February 13, 2020 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 04/20/2020, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Additions to the Formulary: Phentermine (Adipex-P) 15mg, 30mg, 37.5mg capsule: No restrictions. Nateglinide […]
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Improving the Quality of Care: Risks Associated with Use of Gabapentin
January 3, 2020 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Review the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indications for gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin). Describe potential risks associated with combining gabapentin with opioids. Summarize best practices for responsible prescribing of gabapentin. Key Points: Recent restrictions on opioid prescribing have led clinicians to utilize alternative or complementary approaches to pain management, especially for […]
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Formulary Update Effective February 24, 2020
December 12, 2019 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: December 12, 2019 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 February 24, 2020 Business: Medi-Cal Effective 02/24/2020, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Additions to the Formulary: Tranexamic Acid (Lysteda) 650 mg […]
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Alert: New Global Guidelines for the Treatment of Asthma
November 13, 2019 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) established the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in 1993 in order to increase awareness about asthma among health professionals, public health authorities, and the community, and to improve asthma prevention and management through a coordinated worldwide effort. The GINA Scientific Committee […]
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2019 Immunization Updates: Flu, HepA, HPV, Measles, CA School Requirements
September 27, 2019 / by Health Plan / 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 2019 in the United States can be accessed on the Centers for Disease Control […]
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