Smokers in Colorado can now seek out their local pharmacist to help them quit. Since the passage of legislation in 2016 allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraception and tobacco cessation products, and payment for services legislation that passed earlier this year, pharmacists are helping more and more patients quit. “Being able to provide an extra way […]
President Signs ‘Gag Clause’ Ban
President Trump has signed legislation prohibiting “gag clauses” that may result in patients being charged inflated prices. The president signed S. 2553, the Know the Lowest Price Act of 2018, and S. 2554, the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act, on Wednesday afternoon. Both bills would allow pharmacists to tell patients when they could […]
FDA Releases New Policy Documents Related to Compounding
The FDA has released three new policy documents, in addition to the 2018 Compounding Policy Priorities Plan released earlier this year, related to compounding. The FDA notes that implementing federal law on compounding is a high priority for the agency. Revised Draft Guidance: Insanitary Conditions at Compounding Facilities Final Guidance: Compounding and Repackaging of Radiopharmaceuticals by State-Licensed […]
FTC Examines Ways to Improve Occupational License Portability Across States
The Federal Trade Commission released a staff report this week on ways to improve occupational licensing portability for licensed workers moving to new states. This report, Options to Enhance Occupational License Portability, aims to reduce job growth and labor mobility hurdles by encouraging states to reduce regulations surrounding occupational licensing. “Most occupations are licensed state-by-state, […]
Allied Against Opioid Abuse Launches Pharmacy Toolkit
To help pharmacists engage and educate their patients about their rights, risks and responsibilities related to prescription opioids, NASPA and the state pharmacy associations worked with Allied Against Opioid Abuse (AAOA) on a toolkit. AAOA is a national education and awareness initiative, which NASPA has joined, to help prevent the abuse and misuse of prescription […]
Bill to End ‘Gag Clauses’ Moves Forward
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill aimed at ending ‘gag clauses’ last week. S2553, the Know the Lowest Price Act, would allow pharmacists to tell Medicare Part D beneficiaries if a cash price for their medication is lower than the price through their insurance coverage. Following the Senate passage, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce […]