U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News

April 26, 2023

Second Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

In the wake of regulatory action by the FDA, the CDC has updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Once again, pharmacists will need to carve out time to administer COVID-19 vaccines, as adults aged 65 years and older and immunocompromised patients return to the pharmacy for additional bivalent doses. Learn more about information on eligibility and approved vaccine types.

Is Lower LDCL-C Levels With Statins Better?

Medical guidelines suggest that clinical decision-making should involve patients. Helping them be more informed was one of the goals of a new study that calls into question whether the link between lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with statins is as related to reduced risk of atherosclerosis as commonly thought. Find out what the connection is and why past studies came up with different conclusions.

Extension of Pharmacist Authorities Under PREP Act Applauded

Pharmacy associations applauded a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decision to extend certain pharmacist authorities gained during the COVID-19 pandemic (called the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness [PREP] Act) until December 2024; however, they also expressed concern about the temporary nature of the extension and call for the passage of legislation to make some of that practice expansion permanent. Read more.

Secondary School Drug Diversion With High ADHD Stimulant Use

It might surprise pharmacists to know that one-quarter of the high school students for whom they fill stimulant prescriptions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—and more than one-half of those in college—are asked to divert their medications for nonmedical use. A new study describes the scope of the problem and what might be done about it. Read more.