CHS Pharmacy News

December 2023

Business Hours

Upcoming Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve: 9 AM – 3 PM
Christmas Day: Closed *
New Year’s Eve: Normal Business Hours
New Year’s Day: Closed *
Normal business hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F, and 9 AM – 3PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday
*Emergency services available 24/7/365

FDA Updates: Drug Shortages*

“Drug Shortages can occur for many reasons, including manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. Manufacturers provide FDA most drug shortage information, and the agency works closely with them to prevent or reduce the impact of shortages.”

Recent shortages: Novolog, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Albuterol, Latanoprost, Lidocaine Patches, Atropine.

Drug Shortage Database:
accessdata.fda.gov

Please work with your consultant pharmacist and the pharmacy team to mitigate impact of these shortages. It may be necessary to communicate with providers for alternative therapy.

SAFETY: Nebulizer Use**

Important points when using nebulizer devices:

• Wash your hands well
• Connect the hose to an air compressor
• Fill the medicine cup with the medication
  • To avoid spills, close the medicine cup tightly and always hold the mouthpiece straight up and down
• Attach the hose and mouthpiece to the medicine cup
• Place the mouthpiece in the mouth. Keep the lips firm around the mouthpiece so that all of the medicine goes into the lungs
  • A mask may be used to deliver medication
• Breathe through the mouth until all the medicine is used. This takes 10 to 15 minutes
  • If needed, use a nebulizer mask if unable to breathe only through the mouth
• Turn off the machine when done
• Wash the medicine cup and mouthpiece or mask as directed by facility and machine recommendations policy

CMS Appendix PP: Definition Review***

F758: Unnecessary Drugs
“Anticholinergic side effect” is an effect of a medication that may cause symptoms such as dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, flushing, and increased blood pressure. Medications that may produce anticholinergic side effects include:

• Antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-psychotics, antiemetics, muscle relaxants; and
• Certain medications used to treat cardiovascular conditions, Parkinson’s disease, urinary incontinence, gastrointestinal issues and vertigo.

1. * fda.gov
2. ** medlineplus.gov
3. ***justiceinaging.org