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PRN ~ The Newsletter for Community Pharmacists

Our premier product is PRN ~ The Newsletter for Community Pharmacists. Debuting in November, 2007, PRN is specifically designed for community pharmacists practicing in New York State. Why PRN? The name, of course, is shorthand for "pro re nata," the Latin for "as needed." We hope to provide our customers with quick and convenient access, as needed,  to the latest information from all the fields that impact the profession of pharmacy: new drug approvals, changes in law, third party billing, clinical updates, natural products, and OTC news, to name but a few.

What's New? 

First COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use

The FDA has granted Emeregency Use Authorization to 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 Moderna 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 the latest.

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 permtting pharmacists to give flu vaccines to children. For details see the March/April, 2018 issue of PRN. 

Electronic prescription transfer law takes effect

Effective February 26, 2017, pharmacies may, at the request of the 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, the New York 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). Look for more information in upcoming issues of PRN.

Click here for text of the new law

Mandatory electronic prescribing is here! Are you ready?

The March, 2016 issue of PRN is a special edition on mandatory electronic prescribing. Click here for your FREE copy!

Part of the new rules on pharmacists as immunizers in New York State requires every pharmacy to post a copy of the current "Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule" (published by ACIP) in their immunization area. Click below to print a copy of the required chart for your pharmacy.

  2017 ACIP Recommendations

As of December 7, 2015, pharmacies in New York City may dispense Naloxone injection to reverse the effects of opiod overdose. No prescription is needed as long as the pharmacy has signed the Dispensing Protocol, which can be downloaded by clicking here:

Naloxone Non-Patient Specific Prescription and Pharmacist Dispensing Protocol, New York City

Download the mandatory patient handout here:

Naloxone Patient Handout

The New York City Department of Health has also produced a checklist for pharmacies:

Dispensing Naloxone Pharmacy Checklist

Topics of Interest:

 View New York State Pharmacy Laws, Rules, and  Regulations

 View New York State Controlled Substance Rules  (Part 80)

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Don't miss out on any of the latest developments impacting pharmacy today. Keep up-to-date with the latest issue of                PRN ~ The Newsletter  for Community  Pharmacists

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