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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs

Nov 22, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a hybrid public meeting of the Advisory Committee on U.S. Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States on December 10-12, 2024. The agenda will include, among other things, a briefing on the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) efforts to assist covered Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors; a briefing on the Veterans Health Administration initiatives and updates; the role of the VBA regional offices; prescription drug information; travel funding; and telehealth.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 20, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has revoked Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Cue Health, Inc., related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests. The revocations are effective October 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Second Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2025. This rule is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Profiles a pharmacy student at the University of North Carolina on track to practice in rural North Carolina. Highlights the Rural Pharmacy Health Certificate Program that gives students experience with rural populations through healthcare screenings and educational programming.
Source: University of North Carolina
Nov 18, 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 December 11, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:00 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 recent Harm Reduction Summit, the recovery and harm reduction workgroup, and an update on the Naloxone Saturation Policy Academy. Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Outlines current and projected funding challenges for Federally Qualified Health Centers. Discusses common sources of revenue, reimbursement rates, the 340B program, and policy opportunities for federal and state government. Notes that rural residents are a significant user base for Community Health Centers.
Source: The Commonwealth Fund
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations; and 2) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register