What’s new?
New York Pharmacists May Prescribe Hormonal Contraceptives, Effective March 19, 2024
It’s official: as of March 19, 2024, Pharmacists in New York State may dispense hormonal contraceptive prescription drugs (pill, patch, or ring) pursuant to a standing order. The original effective date of this new law was November, 2024, but the date was amended to January 1st by legislative action, and the necessary standing order was signed by Health Commissioner James V. McDonald on March 19. Pharmacists wishing to dispense under this standing order must have completed training related to hormonal contraception, and must have patients complete a self-screening intake form. Pharmacists would then consult a clinical workflow before dispensing any medication. Complete details will be available in the May/June issue of PRN.
Opill Release Date and Price Announced
Perrigo announced that it has started shipping its over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, to retailers, and that it will be available for sale, both in stores and online, on or about March 18, 2023. The first-of-its-kind product is expected to sell for $19.99 for a 1 month supply, or $49.99 for a 3 month supply. A 6 month supply will sell through the company’s website (Opill.com) for $89.99. Retailers expected to carry Opill include CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Instacart.
CDC Recommends Additional Updated COVID Vaccine Dose for People Age 65 and Older
On February 28, 2024, the CDC announced that it is now recommending one additional dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine for all adults aged 65 years and older. The second dose should be administered at least 4 months after the initial dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Confusion Over RSV Vaccines Leads to Medical Errors
The New York Times has published a report of more than 150 recent medical errors involving the two new RSV vaccines. According to the article, published on February 14, 2023, at least 128 pregnant women and 25 children were given the wrong vaccine by doctors or pharmacists. We at PRN are currently putting together an article for our next issue (March/April) which will review the proper use of RSV vaccines. For a preview of this article, which includes a link to the New York Times report, click HERE.
First Over-The-Counter Oral Contraceptive Pill Coming Soon
On July 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of the first-ever nonprescription oral contraceptive. The active ingredient, Norgestrel, was first approved in 1973 and marketed as Ovrette by Pfizer until its discontinuation (“for business reasons”) in 2005. The OTC version, to be sold by Perrigo, will be called Opill. It is expected to be available early in 2024, and will be sold in pharmacies, convenience stores, and grocery stores, as well as online.
Optometrists Prescribing Authority Expanded to Include Oral Medications
Effective October 25, 2023, Optometrists in New York State who qualify, and have been granted the “O” privilege on their license, will be able to prescribe specified oral therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of ocular diseases. The oral agents include antibiotics (Augmentin, Azithromycin, Cephalexin, Doxycycline, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, and Tetracycline), antiglaucoma agents (Acetazolamide, Methazolamide), and antiviral agents (Acyclovir, Valacyclovir).
New York State Adds RSV to List of Vaccines Pharmacists Can Administer
On August 8, 2023, the New York State Department of Health, in partnership with the State Education Department, issued a determination letter making it possible for pharmacists to administer the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. This expands the list of vaccines which pharmacists in New York State may administer, which also includes: Influenza, COVID-19, Pneumococcal, Herpes Zoster (Shingles), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.
Medicaid Managed Care Plans Revert to Fee-For-Service on April 1, 2023
Effective April 1, 2023, all New York State Medicaid Managed Care (MCO) plans (HealthFirst, MetroPlus, Empire, United Health Care, etc.) will be discontinued, and enrolled members will begin receiving prescription benefits through the NYRx Pharmacy program (often referred to as “straight Medicaid”). For more information, see the March/April issue of PRN, or visit the Medicaid Transition Page HERE.
FDA Authorizes Updated COVID-19 Booster Vaccines
On August 31, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the emergency authorization of updated COVID-19 booster vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The new vaccines, referred to as “bivalent,” contain components of both the original strain of the virus and the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 variants. For more information from the CDC on the booster click HERE.
First Oral Antiviral for COVID-19 Authorized
The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s Paxlovid, the first such authorization of an oral antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19. See PRN #74 for more information.
New York Expands Immunization Authority for Pharmacists
Beginning on January 31, 2022, Pharmacists in New York State will be permitted to administer 5 additional vaccines to patients 18 years of age and older, including Hepatitis A and B, Human Papillomavirus, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, and Varicella. Click HERE for more information on expanded vaccination authority in the Jan/Feb 2022 issue of PRN.
Pfizer's COVID Vaccine Receives Full FDA Approval
On August 23, 2021, the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in persons 16 years of age and older. Persons 12 to 15 years of age may still receive the vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization.
PREP Act Amended to Expand Pharmacy Technician Vaccination Authority
On August 4, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services authorized qualified pharmacy technicians to administer influenza vaccines to people aged 19 years and older. The agency had previously authorized technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines and ACIP-approved childhood vaccinations.
First COVID Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use
The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines started shipping out from the manufacturer on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Click HERE for the FDA fact sheet on the proper storage, preparation, and administration of the vaccine. For our chart comparing the Pfizer vaccine with those of Modern and AstraZeneca, click HERE.
New York Responds to the Coronavirus Pandemic
New York State has been hit hard in recent days by the spread of COVID-19. Both the state and city of New York have responded by amending or suspending certain regulations applicable to the practice of pharmacy. Click HERE to read more.
New York Times Exposes "Chaos at Chain Pharmacies"
A recent article published in the New York Times reveals what most pharmacists already know: working conditions at chain pharmacies are dangerous for pharmacists and patients alike. Read the article here.
Pharmacists Now Authorized to Administer Influenza Vaccine to Children Age 2 and Up
The recently passed New York State 2018/2019 budget makes permanent the Governor’s Executive Order permitting pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to children. For details, see the March/April 2018 issue of PRN. Legislation passed as part of the budget also requires that pharmacies post the latest ACIP adult vaccination schedule in their vaccination area. Pharmacists can access the a printable version of the latest ACIP recommendations HERE.
Electronic Prescription Transfer Law Takes Effect
Effective February 26, 2017, pharmacies may, at the request of a patient, transfer new, undispensed electronic prescriptions to another pharmacy of the patient’s choosing. For details, see the June, 2017 issue of PRN.
Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Limiting Initial Opioid Prescriptions to a 7 Day Supply
On June 22, 2016, New York’s governor signed a package of legislation which, among other things, limits initial opioid prescriptions to a one week supply (part C of the bill), requires pharmacies to distribute information about drug abuse with all controlled substance prescriptions, and allows pharmacists to offer counseling and referral services to patients purchasing hypodermic syringes (part D of the bill). For details see PRN #55.
Pharmacist Dispensing on Naloxone for Opioid Overdose
As of December 7, 2015, pharmacies in New York may dispense naloxone to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. No prescription is needed as there is a non patient-specific standing order (see below), but educational material must be distributed and discussed at the time of dispensing. There is also a New York State program to cover patient’s co-pays up to $40.
New York State Standing Order for Naloxone
Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP)