August 2016
Volume: 5  Issue: 7

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In This Issue
                                      Zika Virus Facts
Zika Virus and concerns for pregnant women are addressed by Dr. Louis DiLillo, NEPHO Medical Director and OBGYN physician in a Zika Virus Fact Sheet.  Current guidelines from CDC and MDPH are provided for who and when to test based on specific patient circumstances.

Epi Pens - Cost Savings

With the recent increase in the price of Epi Pens, we have identified some ways to help patients with these costs:
  
Generic epinephrine: There is an available generic alternative product for Epi Pen, from Lineage Therapeutics, but it is NOT automatically substituted for the branded product.
  • Prescriptions need to written as epinephrine auto-injector, not EpiPen.
  • Pharmacies may not have them in stock so the generic product may need to be ordered.
  • Patients should check their insurance to determine coverage prior to ordering.
  • Cost is about $350 for a 2-pak vs. $600 for Epi Pen 2-pak.
  • An epinephrine auto-injector savings card can assist patients, sometimes at a $0 cost.
  • Steps for administration may be slightly different from Epi Pen and are available via the following link:  http://www.epinephrineautoinject.com/ 
 
Commercial Insured Patients:  Coupons are available from the manufacturer of Epi Pen to reduce the price of the copay.   https://www.activatethecard.com/epipen/   (coupon is reusable for each prescription through December 31, 2016, covering up to three EpiPen 2-Pak® or EpiPen Jr 2-Pak® cartons at a time -- that's six EpiPen® Auto-Injectors)
                               
Uninsured Patients: Enroll in a patient assistance program that will provide EpiPens free of charge.  There are two options based on patient's Federal Poverty Level:
 
  
Mylan Update: The makers of Epi Pen announced that its United States subsidiary will launch the first generic version of the EpiPen autoinjector (epinephrine injection, USP) at a list price of $300 per two-pack carton, which represents a discount of more than 50% off the wholesale acquisition cost of the branded product. The authorized generic will be identical to the branded product, including device functionality and drug formulation, according to the company. 
Mylan expects to launch the generic product, at a list price of $300, in several weeks, pending the completion of labeling revisions. Upon launch, the product will be available as a two-pack carton in both 0.15-mg and 0.30-mg strengths. Mylan also intends to continue to market and distribute the branded EpiPen. Stay tuned!
  
            
Non-Opioid Drug Products for Pain Management
 
Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT)
  
Mass DPH recently released an extensive list of  Non-Opioid Drug Products for Pain Management as required by Section 4 of Chapter 52 of the Acts of 2016.  The list includes over 100 non-opioid medications that are either indicated for pain or have a recognized off-label use for pain.
  
The new and improved Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT) is up and running. Be sure to register to be able to view the MassPAT new format for patient report of prescribing and dispensing information.
 
 
Reminder: Effective October 15, 2016, all prescribers will be required to check MassPAT EACH TIME they prescribe a Schedule II or III opioid AND when prescribing a benzodiazepine for the FIRST TIME.
 
Delegate Registration: Delegates no longer need a notarized paper application; instead delegate only needs the email address of their primary account holder (supervisor with PMP access). A delegate registers with their professional email as the username, creates a password and then enters the email address(es) or primary account holder(s) with which they would like to be linked.  The primary account holder then receives a notification that delegate has requested to link with them.  Delegates only need one account with this new solution to search on behalf of many primary account holders.
 
Contact Info:
 MassPAT & PMP Clearinghouse Helpdesk (available 24/7) 1-855-562-4767

Prescription Monitoring Program

99 Chauncy Street

Boston, MA 02111

phone: 617-753-7310

fax: 617-753-8089

MAPMP.DPH@State.MA.US


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