HEALTH UPDATE: Resource for patients seeking continued opioid or benzodiazepine therapy HEALTH UPDATE from the Santa Clara Public Health Department, September 15, 2023 To: All Healthcare Providers From: Sarah Rudman, MD, MPH Deputy Public Health Officer And Akanksha Vaidya, MD, MPH Assistant Public Health Officer The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department recently learned of a large number of patients prescribed long-term opioid or benzodiazepine therapy who have lost access to their usual prescriber or are likely to lose access in the near future. When a patient treated with opioids or benzodiazepines suddenly loses access to prescribed medication, they are at risk of severe withdrawal and may seek illicit ... September 15, 2023 Drug Prescribing/Dispensing, General, Healthcare, Patient Care, Public Health Benzodiazepine, Opioid 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medical Board of CA: Guidelines for Controlled Substances for Pain (July 2023) Shared Friday, July 21 | Medical Board of California The Board's Guidelines for Controlled Substances for Pain (July 2023) is now online. The Board recognizes the need to ensure patients have access to safe and effective pain management treatment and, at the same time, also recognizes the need to support physicians providing treatment to this patient population. Consequently, the guidelines were updated to provide a framework for clinician use while also encouraging the development of treatment plans customized for their patients. Link July 24, 2023 Drug Prescribing/Dispensing, General, Healthcare, Patient Care, Public Health Medical Board 0 0 Comment Read More »
HEALTH ADVISORY: BENZATHINE PENICILLIN G SHORTAGE (P2) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a shortage of long-acting penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension products (Bicillin L-A), with an estimated recovery not before spring of 2024. Per the FDA, this drug shortage is due to an increased demand for the drug. Given the high rates of syphilis in California and in Santa Clara County, this is of significant concern. Bicillin L-A remains the only acceptable treatment for pregnant people infected with or exposed to syphilis and should be prioritized for this population to prevent the harmful effects of congenital syphilis, including premature birth, ... July 10, 2023 Drug Prescribing/Dispensing, EHR, General, Healthcare, Patient Care, Public Health Penicillin shortage 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medication Management: Save Time by Simplifying Your Prescribing and Refill Process Introduction Chronic conditions that require long-term medication therapy affect more than 133 million Americans.1 More than half of all Americans take four prescription medications each day and get their prescriptions from several health care providers.2 75% of patients also regularly take at least one over-the-counter (OTC) medication.2 Managing the care of patients who take multiple medications creates a conundrum for the already overburdened clinician: During a brief visit, how do you reconcile all medications, ensure that patients are taking them as prescribed, and fill or refill medications efficiently? This module details STEPS you ... June 6, 2023 Drug Prescribing/Dispensing, General, Healthcare, Patient Care AMA Steps Forward, improved patient care, improving medication adherence, saving time and money 0 0 Comment Read More »
REMINDER: Write Your Congress Person Today! The California Medical Association is urging physicians to contact their Members of Congress today and encourage them to sign a “Dear Colleague” letter that urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to promptly finalize its proposed prior authorization rules and hold big insurance companies accountable for the undue burden their policies put on physicians and patients. The deadline to sign is May 19, 2023. Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Improving Seniors' Access to Timely Care Act; bipartisan legislation with over 300 cosponsors requiring Medicare Advantage plans ... May 16, 2023 Advocacy, CMA, Drug Prescribing/Dispensing, Healthcare, Insurance, legislation, Patient Care prior authorization 0 0 Comment Read More »
