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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs

Jun 25, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Appointment of Representative and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 405.910 and 2) Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Fee-For-Service Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Survey. Comments are due by July 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2024 - Describes the launch of a pilot program supporting Life Care Specialist positions at two rural Georgia hospitals. Describes services offered by Life Care Specialists, including pain medication education, pain management planning, development of healthy coping skills, and local resource referrals.
Source: Mercer University
Jun 17, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) regulations to implement changes related to required standards for electronic prescribing and adoption of health information technology (IT) standards for Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) use. Among other things, CMS will require Part D sponsors, prescribers, and dispensers of covered Part D drugs for eligible individuals to comply with standards CMS has either adopted directly or is requiring by cross-referencing ONC standards for electronically transmitting prescriptions and prescription-related information. These regulations are effective July 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 23, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Interdepartmental Substance Use Disorders Coordinating Committee (ISUDCC) on June 10, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The ISUDCC agenda will focus on the ISUDCC's recommendations to HHS on how the Federal Government can further integrate and coordinate harm reduction approaches and strategies across the continuum of prevention, treatment, and recovery policies, programs, and practices. Agenda items will also include presentations on the recently released harm reduction framework, the Naloxone Saturation Academies, and SAMHSA's Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit. Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website.
Source: Federal Register
May 17, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has revoked Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., and Fast Track Diagnostics Luxembourg S.á.r.l. (A Siemens Healthineers Company) related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests.
Source: Federal Register
May 16, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for certain medical devices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations are effective on their date of issuance.
Source: Federal Register
May 14, 2024 - Profiles an independent pharmacy in Lillington, North Carolina, where pharmacists guide women through the process of understanding what contraceptives are available. North Carolina health leaders are promoting the ongoing expansion of reproductive medicine across the state.
Source: Spectrum News 1
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