U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News

April 13, 2022

Sotrovimab Use Where the Omicron BA.2 Subvariant Dominates

The continued emergence of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant in the United States has forced a change in treatment guidelines from the National Institutes of Health. Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals are advised that it has substantially decreased in vitro activity against the BA.2 subvariant and should not be used in areas where that subvariant is dominant. Read more.

Shoulder Injuries After Vaccination Rare but Do Occur

One of the concerns in administering vaccines, such as the ones for COVID-19 and influenza that are administered IM, is that some recipients can develop lasting shoulder pain and other issues. It is extremely rare, according to recent studies, but does happen. Find out what situations are likely to create those problems and which recipients are likely to have them.

Expanding Medicare Payments for Pharmacist Pandemic Services

A new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress is not everything pharmacy groups want in terms of expanding pharmacist scope of practice, but it would authorize pharmacists to provide care and receive Medicare reimbursement for some pandemic-related services and would grant pharmacists provider status under specific circumstances. Learn more information about the legislation and the response from pharmacy advocates.

ED Drugs Linked to Higher Risks of Ophthalmological Conditions

Should users of erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs be warned of possible eye problems that appear to be related to those medications? Authors of a new study suggest they should. Find out how much the risk of some ophthalmological conditions increased in patients prescribed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and what circumstances were most linked to increased risk.