Drug Topics- August 11, 2008

10 DRUG TOPICS August 11, 2008 www.drugtopics.com Latebreakers New Medicare law brings relief to pharmacy To the relief of pharmacists, Congress overrode President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008. The new law delays the implementation of both Medicaid’s average manufacturers price for generic drugs until Oct. 1, 2009, as well as the first round of Medicare’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bid program. It also requires prompt pay of Medicare Part D claims. Renal community applauds new MIPPA law Another group pleased with the passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 is the renal care community. That is because the law contains provisions that pertain to kidney dialysis. Specifically, the legislation changes the way it reimburses for treatment of end-stage renal disease, bundling payments for dialysis drugs, testing supplies, and other elements. It also establishes education and prevention programs and provides an inflation update to account for critical staffing services. The kidney community hailed the law as landmark and historic. ginning July 1 as soon as the new MIPPA payment methodology has been implemented. Reprocessing will be complete by Sept. 30. Beware of risks when using micro-bubble contrast agents The FDA has issued an updated alert about the dangers of using micro-bubble contrast agents for diagnosis in certain patients with suboptimal echocardiograms. The agency said warnings on the product alert health professionals to the risk of serious cardiopulmonary reactions during or within 30 minutes of administration of these products. High-risk patients with pulmonary hypertension or unstable cardiopulmonary conditions should be closely monitored during and for at least 30 minutes after the products are given. Another change FDA made is in the section dealing with contraindications. The agency said it has concluded that for some patients, the benefits from using Definity or Optison may outweigh the risk of serious cardiopulmonary reactions. So it has removed some contraindications in the labeling to reflect this finding. New law adjusts payment rate for radiopharmaceuticals Thanks to the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), the reimbursement for radiopharmaceuticals, such as Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan, Cell Therapeutics Inc.), will be continued at the 2007 rate for 18 months through Jan. 1, 2010. This is a relief to providers, since CMS had put in place as of July 1 an outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rate that is lower than the acquisition cost for these products. CMS said that contractors will mass adjust all already-processed OPPS claims with dates of service be- EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Philip P. Burgess, R.Ph., M.B.A. Mary E. Inguanti, R.Ph., M.P.H. Dennis Burton, B.S.Pharm., MBA Jack Rosenberg, Pharm.D., Ph.D. National Director, Pharmacy Affairs Walgreen Co. Deerfield, Ill. Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., FAMCP Vice President of Operations Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Hartford, Conn. James A. Jorgenson, R.Ph., M.S., The Pharmacy Group LLC Glastonbury, Conn. David J. Fong, Pharm.D. Senior Vice President Pharmacy and Family Care Safeway Inc. Pleasanton, Calif. Professor and Director of International Drug Information Center Arnold & Marie Schwartz Frederick S. Mayer, R.Ph., M.P.H. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences FASHP President Executive Director of Pharmacy Pharmacists Planning Service Inc. Long Island University Brooklyn, N.Y. Clarian Health, Methodist San Rafael, Calif. Hospital Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, Gene Memoli Jr., R.Ph., FASCP Indianapolis Pharm.D., Ph.D. Director of Customer Director, PRIME Institute Development College of Pharmacy Omnicare University of Minnesota Cheshire, Conn. Minneapolis, Minn. Vice President Specialty Pharmacy Services Specialty Scripts Pharmacy Fall River, Mass. http://www.drugtopics.com

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Drug Topics- August 11, 2008 Contents Latebreakers Letters DEA Proposes Rule To Allow Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances Merger, Medicare Reform Could Mean Broader E-Prescribing Adoption New Combination Pill Approved for Type 2 Diabetes New Eczema Guildlines Promote Use of Emollients, Then Topical Corticosteroids Agencies Flush Original Strategies in Favor of Promoting Drug Take-Back Programs JP at Large: You Laughing at Me? Pharmacists Find Themselves at Mercy of Prior Authorization State Law Requiring PBM Transparency See Some Gains, Some Losses Global Counterfeiting Still Growing, Says U.S. Commerce Official FDA Saftey Page: Prophylthiouracil Still Confused with Purinethol (mercaptopurine) New Products Bring Lice Treatment to a Head NACDS Marketplace Showcases New Product that Fill Unmet Needs Update on Respiratory Tract Infections Execs Share War Stories About Adopting Technology in their Stores New Products Advertisters Index Classified Viewpoint: Medicare Part D Revisions sorely needed

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