PHARMACOM LLC

A Consulting Company

June 2020

Medication Overload in Older Patients

More than 40% of older adults take at least five prescription medications, according to the report "Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan." Medication overload involves the use of multiple medications that pose a greater risk of harm than benefit. The report recommends that pharmacists implement medication check-ups; raise awareness among clinicians, policy makers, and the public; improve information at the point of care; and educate health professionals on how to reduce medication overload.

Talicia Approved for H. Pylori Infection

The FDA approved Talicia for treatment of H. pylori infection in adults. Talicia combines the antibiotics rifabutin and amoxicillin and the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole in one capsule. Patients take four capsules every eight hours, with food, for 14 days. Talicia can cause gastrointestinal upset, and rifabutin can turn tears, urine, and other body fluids a brown-orange color.

Generic Version of Proventil HFA Approved

The FDA approved the first generic version of Proventil HFA metered dose inhaler. The generic albuterol sulfate inhaler is indicated to treat or prevent bronchospasm in patients aged four years and older. The FDA states the demand for albuterol inhalers has increased during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Approval will increase the supply of albuterol inhalers and may lead to modest decreases in patient cost.

Cost Cap for Insulin under Part D Senior Savings Model

The Part D Senior Savings Model will test the impact of offering more Part D prescription drug plans with lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin. Beginning in January 2021, standalone Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans that provide Part D coverage can choose to offer a broad range of insulin products to beneficiaries with a maximum monthly copay of $35. Beneficiaries will have consistent monthly insulin costs, regardless of which Part D phase they are in (the 100% responsibility phase before the annual deductible is met, the initial coverage phase, the coverage gap phase that kicks in after $4,020 of prescription drug spending, and the catastrophic coverage phase). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) predicts that beneficiaries' out-of-pocket insulin costs will drop by an average of $446 per year under the new model. CMS plans to extend the model to additional drugs in the future if the insulin model proves to be effective.

June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

June is Men's Health Month

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day