In the October 4, 2019 issue of this Newsletter, the following was presented:

Pharmacy is very regulated!
Pharmacy compounding is even more regulated!!
Pharmacy compounding of sterile preparations is even more regulated!!!
Pharmacy compounding using hazardous drugs is even more regulated!!!!
Pharmacy compounding of nuclear pharmaceuticals is even more regulated!!!!!

Despite being one of the most regulated professions in the world, we constantly hear or read the media making untrue statements that "Pharmacy is an unregulated profession and needs more federal oversight!" The media's lack of knowledge and the misinformation they broadcast is unfair and casts a shadow on an honorable and proud profession that provides great services for the public.

Since that time (over the last 8+ months), almost every issue of this Newsletter has provided easy-to-read presentations on the federal requirements involving:

• NIOSH https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/regulations.html and https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-161/pdfs/2016-161.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2016161
• OSHA www.osha.gov
• EPA https://www.hercenter.org/hazmat/tenstepblueprint.pdf

Those requirements include the handling of hazardous drugs and are already a requirement for pharmacies' compliance. As these are considered sufficient at the federal level, no other related requirements should be necessary unless a state board of pharmacy desires to tweak them to address specific issues within their state.

News

Dexamethasone Reduces Deaths Among Patients with Severe COVID-19
In a large study, dexamethasone has been shown to reduce deaths by a third in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the first time a therapy has been shown to possibly improve the odds of survival with the condition in the sickest patients. Full data from the study have not been published or subjected to scientific scrutiny. But outside experts immediately embraced the top-line results.
https://www.statnews.com/2020/06/16/major-study-finds-common-steroid-reduces-deaths-among-patients-with-severe-covid-19/

Most of Feds' Remdesivir to Be Distributed by End of Month
Almost all of its remaining supply of remdesivir will be distributed to states by June 29, while holding back less than 2% of the original donation "in the event 'hotspots' emerge in the coming weeks," according to a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services. Remdesivir is the only drug currently approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in the U.S. In order to meet demand, Gilead has said it is rapidly scaling up a complicated supply chain to produce a drug that wasn't being manufactured at all as of January. Hospitals are trying to use their current remdesivir supplies as judiciously as possible with incomplete, ever-evolving information.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/932448

DEA Investigating Drug Thefts and Damage at 177 Pharmacies in L.A. Area
At least 177 pharmacies were burglarized or damaged during recent unrest in the Los Angeles area, disrupting some residents' access to medication and raising concerns that the stolen drugs will be resold on the street. Local and federal law enforcement officials believe organized groups targeted the businesses because they stock prescription drugs, which are easy to carry off in large amounts and can be resold for a high profit on the street.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-16/los-angeles-riverside-pharmacies-damaged-drug-thefts-dea-investigates

Lloyd's Pharmacy Destroyed
On May 29, Lloyd's Pharmacy in St. Paul, Minnesota, owned by Jim Stage, was destroyed in the early days of the protests. It should be noted that his community immediately rallied around Jim with calls, flowers, and donations. Jim does plan to rebuild ... when things settle down. Right now he's serving his patients at his nearby pharmacy and hopes to have a temporary facility operating soon on the block where Lloyd's stood.

NOTE: Please go to the following website for the complete story that documents how important a neighborhood pharmacy is to the community!
https://www.twincities.com/2020/06/02/after-being-looted-and-then-destroyed-by-arsonists-lloyds-pharmacy-plans-to-rebuild/

Did You Know ...

...that Herbert V. Prochnow, Jr. said the following?

"First men fight for freedom, and then they make laws to gradually take it away."

Tip of the Week

It seems that:

Someone commits a crime and breaks the law,
New and more strict laws are made,
The more laws we have, the less freedom we have,
Until one morning we wake up and see that what we have fought for is gone.

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Looking Back

If our road signs,
Catch your eye,
Smile! But don't
Forget to buy
     Burma-Shave