Starting February 9, 2022, California pharmacies must submit controlled substance dispensing to CURES through Bamboo Health. The last date to submit data through Atlantic Associates is February 8, 2022. Pharmacies must complete the registration process with Bamboo Health as soon as possible to ensure they are prepared for the switch. Register with Bamboo here.
Pharmacy Trends
New App to Keep Track of C2s
Keeping accurate records for controlled substances often presents a challenge. The Controlled Substances Act requires every pharmacy to maintain complete and accurate records on a current basis for each controlled substance received, sold, delivered, or otherwise disposed of.
This closed system is supposed to reduce the potential for diversion of controlled substances (“CS”).
But in…
Restrictions on Setting Price for Covid At-Home Test Kits
Is your pharmacy located in California and selling over-the-counter Covid-19 at-home test kits? If so, you must be careful on how much you charge for these Kits.
On January 8, 2022, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order prohibiting excessive charging for the Kits in order to allow access to these products for as many people as…
Consequences of purchasing test strips from inappropriate sources
Back in 2020, I wrote a blog post on potential PBM audit issues and disciplinary actions based on purchasing diabetic test strips from unauthorized wholesalers. The problem is still prevalent. In fact, during these past few months, we have seen several manufacturers sending cease-and -desist letters to pharmacies demanding money for lost sales and threatening…
Policy USP 800 is available for download
Based on popular demand, we now offer “USP 800 – Hazardous Drugs” policy through our compliance platform RxPolicy.
Starting this year, most PBMs require this policy for recredentialing. In addition, it is a required policy for compounding, retail, LTC, and clinical pharmacies, and any other entities that handle hazardous drugs. There is a mistaken…
Audit defense and prevention – New product
I am always eager to learn new ways to help pharmacies stay on top of their compliance and prevent chargebacks and contractual terminations. That’s why I am excited to introduce you to PharmPilot.
It has four primary functions:
– Audit Pilot (my favorite): “proactive analysis of your pharmacy’s data to detect shortages and other…
Risks of dispensing ivermectin
This month, the American Medical Association, American Pharmacist Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists issued a joint release urging prescribers and pharmacists to stop ordering, prescribing, and dispensing ivermectin to prevent or treat Covid-19 outside of clinical trials. The reason for issuing this plea is a 24-fold increase in prescribing and dispensing of ivermectin…
Podcast on PBM issues
I am very excited to announce a release of Gavel & Pestle podcast where I speak on PBM audits, trends, and litigation. With Brooke Kulusich we discuss the most common compliance mistakes that pharmacies make, the implications of Rutledge v. PCMA decision, and how independent pharmacies can think outside-the-box in their approach to PBMs.
Please…
Court denies Optum’s motion to compel arbitration
This year we saw some positive litigation outcomes for independent pharmacies. Let’s talk about two recent victories in PBM litigation. (Both cases were brought by Mark Cuker who represents several groups of pharmacies across the nation).
One of the cases was brought in California against Optum alleging misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of contract. Optum filed…
Amazon’s 6-month-$6 prescription plan
We have been following Amazon in its attempts to enter the pharmaceutical market. See related blog posts:
Amazon-PillPack deal – a pharmacy shakeout?
Why Amazon shelved its plan to enter the pharmaceutical distribution chain.
Is Amazon ready to enter pharmacy business?
This month, Amazon made headlines when it announced its 6-month prescription plan starting at…