NABP e-News: October 01, 2009

October 1, 2009 12:00 am

ASTHO Document Helps Health Departments Partner With Pharmacies Administering the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) released and distributed to state and territorial health officers the final version of “An Operational Framework for Partnering with Pharmacies for the Administration of 2009 H1N1 Vaccine” on September 16, 2009. The Framework will assist state and territorial health departments and pharmacies as they work together to distribute and administer the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. The document expands on the requirements stated within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provider agreement and includes additional information pertinent to the implementation of the 2009 H1N1 vaccination plan. For example, information on planning considerations and a sample pharmacy plan are included.

FDA Approves Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
On September 15, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus as part of its response to the H1N1 flu challenge. FDA has worked closely with the National Institutes of Health and taken other measures to ensure appropriate testing of the vaccines in time for the 2009 flu season. More information about its efforts and the vaccines is provided on the “FDA 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu Page” which will be updated regularly.

Web Site Owner Charged with Fraudulent Advertising and Distribution of Drugs Containing DXM 
The US Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada announced on September 23, 2009 that a woman in Las Vegas has been charged with falsely advertising and distributing through a Web site a product containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM) in amounts that far exceed the FDA recommended dosage. Allegedly, the woman represented the product, dubbed “Snurf,” as an herbal alternative to street drugs. The indictment further alleges that the woman fraudulently entered into US commerce approximately 20,000 tablets containing DXM by stating that the packages contained vitamin B-12 tablets, and that she subsequently mailed seven packages of “Snurf,” from Las Vegas, NV, to several locations in California, and to Springfield, IL, and Indianapolis, IN. This case is being investigated by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the US Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in Nevada.

Antibiotics Sold Without Legal Prescriptions Through Internet Sites
A study published in the current Annals of Family Medicine concludes that a variety of antibiotic medications are available for order through the Internet without a prescription, creating potential for increased rates of antibiotic resistance. The study found 138 English language Web sites that sell prescription medications without legal prescriptions. Among those sites, some sell drugs without a prescription, and some offer a prescription service that merely requires the buyer to enter a health history online. Further, the authors found that penicillins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins were all available for purchase; the study implies that the availability of several common antibiotics without a prescription raises the risk for antibiotic resistance, particularly since patients are self-medicating and using inappropriate dosages.

Poor Patient Medication Adherence Addressed in Recent NEHI Report
In a recent report, the New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI) addresses poor patient medication adherence, a problem that often exacerbates medical problems and increases health care costs. The study reviews the causes of poor patient medication adherence, the impact on public health and the health care system, current initiatives to promote medication adherence, and several potential solutions. Of the estimated one third to one half of patients that do not adhere to medication regimens, the study finds, the majority are those with chronic health conditions and their poor adherence often leads to hospitalization. Medication cost, side effects, imperfect or complicated drug regimens, and asymptomatic conditions are cited among the many causes of poor adherence for all groups of patients. Current initiatives, such as medication therapy management services, are reviewed. Future initiatives, such as investing in appropriate care teams, patient engagement and education, payment reform, and health information technology, are also analyzed.

Six Additional Facilities Awarded VAWD Accreditation
NABP recently accredited six additional facilities through its Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors^® (VAWD^®) program, bringing the total number of accredited facilities to 370 as of September 23, 2009. A full listing of VAWD facilities is available under Accreditation Programs on the NABP Web site.

• Diamond Drugs, Inc, dba Diamond Pharmacy Services, was awarded accreditation for its Diamond Distribution Division which primarily ships products to incarcerated patients. This facility is located in Indiana, PA
• Hi-School Pharmacy, Inc, dba Hi-School Pharmacy Generic Warehouse, distributes products to Hi-School pharmacies in Washington and Oregon. This facility is located in Vancouver, WA.
• Medline Industries Holdings, LP manufactures and distributes health care products through 29 distribution centers located throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The company received accreditation for its Sumner, WA facility which distributes medical products to hospitals, surgical centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice programs and practitioner offices.
• Midwest Medical Supply Company, LLC, dba MMS A Medical Supply Company, primarily distributes non-prescription drug products, such as test kits for blood and urine, to physicians and laboratories. The company received accreditation for its Earth City, MO facility.
• VWR International, LLC received accreditation for two facilities:
  • VWR International, LLC located in Tualatin, OR distributes sterile water for injection and sterile water for irrigation to drug manufacturers and research laboratories.
  • VWR International, LLC located in Brisbane, CA distributes sterile water for injection and sterile water for irrigation to drug manufacturers and research laboratories. This facility also stocks and distributes a variety of drugs.