September 20, 2018 / by Health Plan / 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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2018 Immunization Updates: Flu, Tdap, HepB, Zoster, MMR, Adult Vaccines
September 28, 2018 / 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 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 Health Plan / 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 Health Plan / 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 Health Plan / 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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Hydrochlorothiazide Recall
August 30, 2018 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: August 30, 2018 To: Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) Pharmacies and PCPs From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: Hydrochlorothiazide Recall Business: Medi-Cal Hydrochlorothiazide Recall We are sending this alert because your patients may have filled a prescription for Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg Tablet. The product is labeled as Hydrochlorothiazide Tablet USP 12.5mg, but may contain Spironolactone […]
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ProDUR Update: Additive Toxicity Alert Now Focused Only On CNS Depressants
July 31, 2018 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Describe the drug safety communications by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the combined use of opioid medicines with benzodiazepines or other drugs that depress the central nervous system (CNS). Review the changes to the additive toxicity (AT) prospective drug utilization review (DUR) alert. Summarize best practices for responsible prescribing of […]
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Drug Safety Communication: Adverse Effects from Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
July 31, 2018 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are approved to treat certain serious bacterial infections and work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that can cause illness. On July 10, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is strengthening the current warnings in the prescribing information for fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The new label changes will add […]
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REMINDER: HPSJ members cannot be charged for medications
May 29, 2018 / by Health Plan / Alerts, Pharmacy Announcements
Date: May 29, 2018 To: HPSJ Network Pharmacies From: HPSJ Pharmacy Department Subject: REMINDER: HPSJ members cannot be charged for medications Business: Medi-Cal This is a reminder that both the Knox Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (H&S §1379, §1385) and California Code of Regulations (28 CCR §1300.67.8) mandate that all providers who […]
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Improving the Quality of Care: Overutilization of Proton Pump Inhibitors
April 28, 2018 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Improving the Quality of Care: Overutilization of Proton Pump Inhibitors Learning Objectives: Review the appropriate indications for short-term and long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) Describe potential adverse effects associated with use of PPIs Summarize best practices for responsible prescribing of PPIs Key Points: PPIs are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the […]
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In the Pharmacy: Pharmacists Furnishing Nicotine Replacement Products
March 30, 2018 / by Health Plan / Pharmacy Announcements
Learning Objectives: Review the California State Board of Pharmacy regulations for pharmacists to furnish nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, which have been in effect since January 2016. Describe strategies to promote smoking cessation in pharmacy practice. Summarize best practices for responsible prescribing of NRT products. Key Points: Tobacco dependence continues to be a leading cause […]
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