FDA Wants Stronger Authority Over Compounding Pharmacies

The House of Representatives met on April 16th to address concerns from the FDA and their desire to have more regulatory authority over compounding pharmacies. Late last year, many cases of meningitis broke out due to non-sterile compounding practices by the now closed New England Compounding Center (NECC). Many people died and even more fell ill.  Since this tragedy, the FDA has been pushing for stricter, more powerful authority over compounding pharmacies. Hospitals have begun to rely on these pharmacies to produce many of their sterile products.  As a result, hospitals are buying their needed compounded medications from anywhere in the United States. This has led to an increase in the need for federal regulation due to the states' limited authority.
The FDA stated that the need for increased legislation is obvious and needed if they are to do their job properly.  The Democrats seem to be on the side of the FDA while the Republicans are not so convinced. A Republican from Texas stated that " new legislation takes a lot of time....especially with the current political environment. Don't blame your tools. Do your work."  The FDA commissioner fired right back saying, " We need new tools."
As of right now, it remains unclear whether new legislation will be passed, but I think one thing is clear- Americans can't afford another tragedy like this one.

USPS to Remain Delivering Meds on Saturdays

As many of you probably know, the United States Postal Service will not be delivering mail on Saturdays for much longer.  They mandated that all mail will still be delivered 6 days a week until September 30th of this year and after that date, move down to only delivering mail 5 days a week. Basically the only mail that won't be delivered on Saturdays is just the standard envelope mail (so remember to send your birthday cards for your loved ones a couple days earlier now). They will still be delivering express, priority, and first-class post and parcels, as well as, some international packages. With more and more people switching to mail-order pharmacies, the potential for delayed deliveries could pose a problem.  Currently, most mail delivered medications are delivered by one of the above mentioned routes so the problem may end there. The heads of US Department of Veterans Affairs of Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy met with the USPS heads and were assured that the USPS understands their position and will do their best to accommodate mail-order pharmacies' needs.
From my small town, mom and pop pharmacy position, I almost wish the USPS wouldn't have been so willing to bend to their needs.  Not that I want harm done to patients who need their medications, but the delay may allow for more business to return to our side.

New Vaccination Bill Put Into Law

IPA reported on March 29, 2013 that the proposed new immunization bill was successful signed by Governor Branstad on the 28th and put into law.  The new law will now allow certified pharmacists to adminiter a number of vaccines. 
One new portion of the bill now allows pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine to anyone 6  years of age and older.  The older law only allowed people 18 and older to get the influenza vaccine without a prescription.  Now worried parents can bring their children into a participating pharmacy to get them vaccinated without the hassle of having to obtain a prescription from their physician beforehand.
The second main part of the new bill allows pharmacists to administer vaccines recommended by the United States centers for disease control and prevention advisory committee on the approved vaccination schedule for adults.  They also expanded this to include vaccines approved for international travel. 
Pharmacists will now also be able to adminster Tdap (tetnus, diptheria, acellular pertussis) booster vaccinations.  
There will be an official signing ceremony on April 5th.

Go pharmacists!
So come on down to your local pharmacy and see what we can do for you!