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Nevada News: For Your Information
Reprinted from the January 2007 Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.
1. Plan B®: On August 24, 2006, FDA approved Plan B for over-the-counter (OTC) sale. Please note the following:
a. Plan B is authorized for OTC sale in pharmacies to women and men 18 years of age or older with valid picture identification. Women under the age of 18 or without proof of age will still need a prescription.
b. Plan B will be kept behind pharmacy counters.
c. No special training, forms, or fact sheets are required to provide customers with Plan B.
d. Men can buy Plan B if they show proof of age that they are over 18; however, they do not have the option to obtain a prescription for Plan B.
2. Transition of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)-based inhalers: As most of you are aware, the United States is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, which bans the use of ozone-damaging CFCs. FDA is requiring manufacturers to phase out CFCs in albuterol-containing products by December 31, 2008; however, the transition to hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) albuterol inhalers is already well under way. Many manufacturers have curtailed their production of CFC-based inhalers due to uncertainty in obtaining component parts and ingredients. Unfortunately, HFA-based inhalers are more costly to the patient resulting in the genesis of some assistance programs (Schering-Plough Corporation, called SP-Cares, can be reached at 1-800/656-9485). It is important for pharmacists to note that FDA has indicated that CFC and HFA albuterol inhalers are not therapeutically equivalent, therefore, requiring a new prescription if a CFC inhaler is to be changed to an HFA inhaler. Shortages, such as we are now seeing with CFC-based albuterol inhalers, are the perfect segue for counterfeit production, so we caution you to exercise prudent buying practices.
