April 30, 2019 / by HPSJ / Pharmacy Announcements
Opioids are a class of prescription medicines that are used to manage pain when other treatments and medicines cannot be taken or are not able to provide enough pain relief. Opioids have serious risks, including abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Examples of common opioids include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. On April […]
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Drug Safety Communication: Risks with Sudden Discontinuation of Opioids
April 30, 2019 / by HPSJ / Pharmacy Announcements
Opioids are a class of prescription medicines that are used to manage pain when other treatments and medicines cannot be taken or are not able to provide enough pain relief. Opioids have serious risks, including abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Examples of common opioids include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. On April […]
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Clinical Review Update: Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose
March 22, 2019 / by HPSJ / Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Describe morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) and how it is being used to indicate potential dose-related risk for prescription opioid overdose. Summarize best practices for prescribing opioids. Identify resources available that promote responsible opioid prescribing, including online and mobile applications for calculation of morphine milligram equivalency. Describe recent legislation in California related to […]
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Alert: New Naloxone Regulations Effective on January 1, 2019
February 25, 2019 / by HPSJ / Pharmacy Announcements
Assembly Bill 2760 (Wood, Chapter 324) was signed into law in 2018 and became effective on January 1, 2019. California prescribers are now required to offer a prescription to a patient for either naloxone or another drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the complete or partial reversal of opioid-induced respiratory […]
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HPSJ MCL Provider Alert-Formulary Update December 2018
February 19, 2019 / by HPSJ / Pharmacy Announcements
Date: December 17, 2018 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 2/25/2019, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Additions to the Formulary: Baloxavir (Xofluza) 20 mg, 40mg tablets: PA required. […]
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Reminder – Physician Certification Statement (PCS) Form – Update
October 31, 2018 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: October 30, 2018 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Practitioners and Providers From: HPSJ [Medical Management Department] Subject: Reminder – Physician Certification Statement (PCS) Form Business: Medi-Cal Update As we continue to seek ways to streamline processes, Health Plan of San Joaquin has simplified prior authorization requirements for transportation for your busy office. […]
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New Forms Update: 2018-2019 Palivizumab (Synagis)
October 25, 2018 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: October 25, 2018 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Providers and Practitioners From: HPSJ [Medical Management Department] Subject: New Forms Update: 2018-2019 Palivizumab (Synagis) Business: Medi-Cal The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known as one of the most common illnesses among infants and children. […]
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2018 Immunization Updates: Flu, Tdap, HepB, Zoster, MMR, Adult Vaccines
September 28, 2018 / by HPSJ / 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 2018 in the United States can be accessed on the Centers for Disease Control […]
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Alert: Mandatory Use of CURES 2.0 Begins October 2, 2018
September 28, 2018 / by HPSJ / Pharmacy Announcements
Dentist Physician Naturopathic Doctor Optometrist Osteopathic Doctor Physician Assistant Podiatrist Registered Certified Nurse Midwife (Furnishing) Registered Nurse Practitioner (Furnishing) These health care providers are required to consult the CURES 2.0 database to review a patient’s controlled substance history before prescribing a Schedule II – IV controlled substance to the patient for the first time and […]
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NEW – Opioid 7-Day Supply Limit for Initial Fill
September 20, 2018 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: September 20, 2018 To: Primary Care Providers, Specialists, Clinics, Pharmacies and Hospitals From: Health Plan of San Joaquin Pharmacy Department Subject: NEW – Opioid 7-Day Supply Limit for Initial Fill Business: Medi-Cal To reduce the potential for chronic opioid use or misuse, Health Plan of San Joaquin is implementing a safety limit on initial […]
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Montelukast Recall
August 31, 2018 / by HPSJ / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: August 31, 2018 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Pharmacies and PCPs From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: Montelukast Recall Business: Medi-Cal Montelukast Recall We are sending this alert because your patients may have filled a prescription for Montelukast Sodium 10mg Tablets. The product is labeled as Montelukast Sodium Tablets USP 10mg, but may […]
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