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 […]
Read more
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 […]
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 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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
Formulary Update – September 18, 2019
September 18, 2019 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: September 18, 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 – September 18, 2019 Business: Medi-Cal Managed Care Effective 12/02/2019, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the following changes: Additions to the Formulary: Heparin sodium porcine/PF […]
Read more
Clinical Review Update: Concomitant Anticholinergic and Antipsychotic Use
September 12, 2019 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Understand the role of anticholinergic medications in the prevention and treatment of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Describe factors that should be considered when deciding to initiate and/or continue the concomitant use of anticholinergic with antipsychotic medication therapy. Key Points: Anticholinergic medications, including benztropine and trihexyphenidyl, are often prescribed to prevent or treat antipsychotic-induced […]
Read more