| LTC Pharmacy News
February 2025 |
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| February is upon us. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, so expect another six weeks of wintry weather, and continuing intrigue in Washington, DC. Executive orders, followed by Courts forbidding them, rinse and repeat.
Meanwhile, we continue to do our daily duties, as thousands of you do every day, good weather and bad.
Just remember, each new day is one day closer to Spring!
Keep in touch
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The History of Short-Cycle Dispensing in Medicare Part D
The requirement to dispense branded oral solid doses of drugs in 14-day supplies became final more than a decade ago. How LTC pharmacy and its allies worked with CMS to avoid a much more difficult result is a lesson in collaboration and good will. See Post |
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| | | | CMS Marks Drugs for Next Round of Price Negotiation
One of the final acts of the Biden Administration was to publish the list of 15 drugs that will be subject to Medicare price negotiation. The list includes four oncology drugs, as well as a drug for COPD and, (drumroll...) Wegovy, the Novo Nordisk GLP-1 sensation.
Note: I would have linked this to the CMS announcement, but the CMS Newsroom has been temporarily frozen by the new regime.
Avalere
MedPAC Recommends Payment Rate Actions
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met January 16-17 and made payment Medicare payment recommendations for hospitals (+3 percent), physicians (+1.3 percent), SNFs (-3 percent), home health agencies (-7percent). See MedPAC meeting notes for details and presentations.
Medpage
Federal Judge Denies Request to Freeze Staffing Mandate in Nursing Homes
Twenty states petitioned the court to stop implementation of the CMS rule on nursing home staffing minimums. A federal judge for the Northern District of Iowa denied the request, explaining that there was no evidence that proceeding with implementation would cause irreparable harm.
Mcknights.com
Federal Websites Purged under Trump Administration
The Trump Administration shut down many government health websites, at least temporarily, to purge Biden Administration documents of gender, DEI, and LGTBQ material. In some cases the content purge affected access to information that was not related to any of these topics.
Reuters
DEA Publishes Rules on Teleprescribing
The Drug Enforcement Administration published final rule on prescribing buprenorphine for a 6-month period via telemedicine without an initial in-person visit with an authorized prescriber. The DEA also issued proposed rules related to making permanent rules imposed during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Jones Day
CMS Publishes Report to Congress
CMS released its report to Congress on its use of Section 1135 waivers during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The 108-page document includes several appendices, including one on Long-term Care.
DOJ Sues Walgreens Over Opioid Prescriptions
The Dept. of Justice announced it had filed a lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance and subsidiaries. The DOJ alleges that Walgreens pharmacists dispensed millions of doses of opioid products in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and billed federal health agencies, in violation of the False Claims Act. MoreFDA Cites Sanofi for Conditions at Genzyme Plant
The FDA has issued a warning letter to Sanofi over problems discovered at its facility in Framingham Mass. FDA inspectors uncovered conditions that threatened product contamination. This is the second notice given to this plant and Sanofi has promised quick action to resolve FDA's complaints. More |
| | | | No Medicaid Increase for PA Nursing Homes
Governor Shapiro released his proposed budget, which included no increase in Medicaid payment rates for nursing homes, despite rising bankruptcies, and low occupancy rates due to staffing shortage. Nursing home association executives vow to work with the General Assembly to gain relief.
Mcknights.com
RI Senate Introduces Prior Authorization Reform
The Chair of the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Health and Human Services has introduced a bill prohibiting health insurers from requiring prior authorization for medically necessary services. More |
| | | | NCPA: Many Independent Pharmacies Won't Carry Medicare Negotiated Drugs
The National Community Pharmacists Association warns that more than 60 percent of independent pharmacy owners are deciding whether to stock the first drugs subject to Medicare price negotiation. This information was conveyed to CMS by the association's comment letter. More
Flu Season Hits Hard
43 states have reported high flu activity, the most intense in 15 years, with 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths. More
Guardian Pharmacy Joins Russell 2000
Guardian Pharmacy Services announced that it has been added to the Russell 2000 index, which includes small-cap public companies.
Nursing Homes Optimistic Re Trump Administration
Nursing homes executives are optimistic that the victory by President Donald Trump will mean better days ahead. While the Administration has not repealed the staffing mandate, many expect the regulation will be gone before long.
The president campaigned in repealing 10 regulations for each one issued, and many believe one of those regs repealed or modified will be the staffing mandate.
KFF: Public Not Sold on Cutting Health Spending
According to a KFF poll, Americans don't think we spend too much on Medicare, while Medicaid spending is supported by half the country. Respondents were also quite bullish about Medicare drug price negotiation and regulating health insurance denials.
NCPA Releases New Guidelines for LTC Pharmacy at Home
The National Community Pharmacists Association has published a new set of guidelines for pharmacies aspiring to provide pharmacy services at home.
Pharmacy Quality Alliance Elects New Board Members
The Pharmacy Quality Alliance announces the addition of new board members and new additions to the Executive Committee for 2015.
Federal Judge Dismisses Novo Nordisk Lawsuit Against Drug Compounder
A federal district court in Florida dismissed a suit by Novo Nordisk against a drug compounder for selling adulterated product. The court dismissed the case, ruling that the FDA had jurisdiction over the issue. More
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