News

With the recent hurricanes affecting the Southeastern United States, we wish to update you on actions taken to aid our members in filling their prescriptions.

The changes in this bulletin apply to all groups that use the Net Cost Formulary.

On May 28, 2020, the FDA announced that laboratory testing has revealed levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) above the agency’s acceptable intake limit in several lots of the extended-release (ER) formulation of metformin.

The changes in this bulletin apply to all groups that use the Net Cost Formulary.

Effective immediately, the preferred specialty pharmacy for PAI will be known as Optum Specialty Pharmacy, formerly BriovaRx.

PAI and its PBM partner, OptumRx, have developed a new Quantity Limit policy to provide clinical guidance for prescribing hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine related to COVID-19 treatment.

The FDA announced that it is requesting manufacturers withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine drugs from the market immediately due to contamination with N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

As a part of our PBM’s strategy for battling the national opioid epidemic, effective March 1, 2020, home delivery through OptumRx will require e-prescriptions for ALL controlled substances, [for example, opioids for pain, stimulant drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)].

The FDA announced the request to voluntarily withdraw Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the U.S. market because a safety clinical trial showed an increased occurrence of cancer. Eisai, the manufacturer, has submitted a request to voluntarily withdraw the drug.

The changes in this bulletin go into effect January 1, 2019, unless noted otherwise.