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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs

May 7, 2024 - Highlights the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy's Rural Health Certificate program, which partners with rural pharmacies and prepares students to serve the unique needs of rural areas. Notes the heightened importance of rural pharmacists, who may be more accessible than other health professionals in rural areas.
Source: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Apr 30, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amending its medical regulations regarding Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) coverage. This rule removes the exclusion of audio-only telehealth visits. This rule also removes quantitative limitations on outpatient mental health visits and cost-sharing requirements for contraceptive services and contraceptive products approved, cleared, or granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This rule is effective May 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 23, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising regulations for Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Revisions include Star Ratings, marketing and communications, agent/broker compensation, health equity, dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), utilization management, network adequacy, and other programmatic areas. These regulations are effective June 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 23, 2024 - Notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking comments on a proposed generic information collection to support social and behavioral research used by FDA about drug products. Comments are due by June 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 19, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) revising the 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to address policy and operational challenges to the implementation of the December 14, 2020, final rule. Among other things, revisions intend to make 340B ADR process more accessible, administratively feasible, and timely, and require that the 340B ADR Panel members have specific knowledge of the authorizing statute and the operational processes of the 340B Program. This rule is effective June 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 17, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that telepharmacy increased access to pharmacy services following the pandemic. Telepharmacy records in a Midwest health system show that use of the service increased significantly between 2019 and 2022, attributed to COVID-19 impacts. Discusses the impact on rural residents.
Source: Specialty Pharmacy Continuum
Mar 27, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) ADA Dental Claim Form; and 2) Machine Readable Data for Provider Network and Prescription Formulary Content for FFM QHPs. Comments are due by April 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) making changes to rates contained within the VA fee schedule, which is used as part of the rate structure for certain agreements the VA uses to purchase community care under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). This notice also describes the VA's use of non-reimbursable codes and industry-standard business practices to ensure consistent adjudication of claims for services deemed non-billable or non-reimbursable. These changes are effective March 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 26, 2024 - Summarizes recent research investigating prescription treatment for rural residents with opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Finds that rural residents with dual diagnoses are unlikely to be prescribed medication to treat both disorders.
Source: HealthDay News
Mar 21, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked 6 Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Life Technologies Corp.; Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.; Revvity, Inc.; bioMérieux SA; and Luminex Corp. related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests.
Source: Federal Register