Insights Newsletter October 2024: Emerging Trends for Clinical Leadership

This month’s Insights Newsletter covers the latest practice-changing pharmacy updates, emerging trends, and popular natural medicine topics and resources. 

Explain How Epinephrine Nasal Spray Compares to Injectables

The first epinephrine nasal spray (Neffy) for treating severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis is now available. Our Letter articles discuss the efficacy, dosing, and cost of this new epinephrine form. We also point out other practical considerations such as its shelf life and teaching points for patients and caregivers. Readers can find product comparisons in our chart, Emergency Epinephrine Devices. And our Managing Anaphylaxis FAQ provides guidance on recognizing symptoms, performing follow-up, and more. Read More

Community Topic: Expect Big Changes to Medicare Part D in 2025

Patients will ask about changes that are coming in 2025, as Medicare Part D open enrollment occurs from October 15 to December 7. Our Letter articles provide an overview of some of the biggest changes, including the new maximum annual out-of-pocket cost and deductible. Our articles also introduce the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan that gives patients the option to pay out-of-pocket costs monthly to the plan rather than at the pharmacy. We also give advice on how to help patients understand plan choices, including resources patients can use to compare plans. Read More

Hospital Topic: Treat Congenital Syphilis Using Safe Penicillin Practices

Rates of congenital syphilis in U.S. newborns increased tenfold between 2012 and 2022 and can cause significant complications for the baby. Plus, penicillin medication errors have led to neonatal deaths. Our articles provide guidance about appropriate treatment based on the infant’s risk and clinical status, including the dose and route of penicillin administration. We also point out safe penicillin practices in the hospital. Our resource, Keeping Pediatric Patients Safe, gives more advice on ways to prevent medication errors in kids. Read More

Helping Patients with PTSD

The FDA’s recent rejection of MDMA therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sparking discussions about alternative care options and how to best help patients with this condition. Our NatMed article reviews the evidence for mindfulness and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) specifically as there’s supportive evidence for its use in patients with PTSD and limited safety concerns. Read More

Upcoming Events

Tradeshows

As we’re getting closer to the end of the year, there are still a few opportunities to connect. Send us a meeting request if you’ll be attending any of these shows!

Here’s where we’ll be in the coming months:

• ANCC Magnet Pathway Conference: October 30-November 1, Booth #162
• ASHP Midyear: December 8-12, Booth #1054

See the Full List of Events for 2024

New Blog! Compounding Chronicles

To Certify or Not to Certify, That Is the Question

USP <797> states that, before a pharmacy can begin sterile compounding activity, the pharmacy cleanroom and devices must be certified initially and every six months thereafter. Simple. Done and done. Right? Well, maybe not so simple. In the latest blog post, Adam West explores the complexities of cleanroom certification and recertification for sterile compounding facilities, highlighting the variability in certification requirements based on specific scenarios outlined in USP <797>. He emphasizes the importance of understanding facility-specific airflow dynamics and the need for collaboration with facilities teams to ensure timely recertification. 

Explore CriticalPoint

Other Covered Topics

Discover the top 5 most searched pharmacy law FAQs of 2024, learn how you can quickly assess your technicians’ skills and speed up onboarding and training with PTU Knowledge Assessment, and check out our latest Medication Talk episode where pharmacists and prescribers can earn CE credit by tuning in, and more. Read More