The Biden administration extended the nation’s COVID-19 public health emergency for the next 90 days. This measure ensures continuation of special provisions for Medicaid and Medicare, telehealth coverage, and pharmacists’ authority to practice at the top of their license. A recent article from the Integra X Files explores what pharmacists might expect when the emergency declaration finally ends.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended emergency use authorizations (EUAs) to authorize a bivalent booster dose for younger children. The Moderna EUA now authorizes the booster dose for children aged 6 years and older, when administered 2 months after either the primary series or booster dose, and the Pfizer EUA now allows for a bivalent booster in children aged 5 years and older.
StorageCraft® ShadowProtect provides fast and reliable backup, data protection, disaster recovery, and system migration – getting your computers back online following disruption. If you use this solution, here are two easy ways to confirm your backups.
Option 1:
Check your backup hard drive directly by going to This PC and looking for a hard drive titled “BACKUPDRV.”
Once open, click the StorageCraft folder.
Click the top of the “Date Modified” column to make the most recent dated items display at the top. You should see 2-3 files with the current date. If not, please contact QS/1 Support at 800.845.7558.
Option 2:
Click the ShadowProtect software icon or search for it via the Start bar. ShadowProtect 5 has a “Backup History” tab, and ShadowProtect SPX shows a history of backups on the first screen as a graph that can be toggled through.
FDA Proposed Rule: Standardized National Drug Code (NDC) Format
Currently, FDA-assigned NDCs are 10-11 digits and can be in multiple formats. The proposed rule, if finalized, would standardize NDCs to be 12 digits in length with 3 distinct segments and 1 uniform format.
6-digit labeler code
4-digit product code
2-digit package code
Electronic or written comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by November 22, 2022.
Long-Term Care Pharmacy Definition Act in Committee in House and Senate
The Long-Term Care Pharmacy Definition Act of 2021 establishes a statutory definition for long-term care pharmacy under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Though introduced in October 2021 in the Senate and House, there has been little movement, but this provides time to encourage more to sign on as cosponsors.
S.1574 introduced by Sen. Tim Scott [R-SC], with 22 cosponsors, was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance where it resides.
H.R.5632, the companion bill introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader [D-OR-5], with 19 cosponsors, has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.
The bill defines a long-term care pharmacy as a state-licensed pharmacy that can provide enhanced pharmacy and clinical services to individuals who have certain comorbid and medically complex chronic conditions and who reside in skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, or any other applicable setting (as determined by CMS). The term enhanced pharmacy and clinical services includes medication dispensed in special packaging, drug utilization review, and 24-7 availability of medication delivery and on-call pharmacists.
Pharmacy Medical-at-Home (aka LTC Pharmacy at Home) Service Model
The pharmacy medical-at-home service model has been recognized by CMS for its benefits to patients, providers, payers, and the healthcare system.
The medical-at-home patient is defined as:
Community dwelling adults or children/adolescents having functional and/or medical impairments that prevent them from leaving their homes independently and needing assistance with 2 or more activities of daily living (ADLs) and/or instrumental ADLs.
The medical-at-home pharmacy will:
Bill with Level of Service “07” for medical at home, Patient residence code [PRC] = 1
Have a NCPDP number with Pharmacy Service Type Code “05,” Long-term care pharmacy for medical-at-home services
Compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) means you can trace the full transaction history of medications that pass through your pharmacy. A decade in the making, the November 27, 2023, deadline for the second phase around interoperability is firm. The requirements are comprised of three components:
Interoperable Exchange
Interoperable Verification
Interoperable Tracing
The requirements are complex and will be here before you know it. Is your pharmacy ready to comply?
