The AMCP Health Disparities Advisory Group conducted a landscape assessment to understand the role of managed care pharmacy in identifying and addressing health care disparities. Explore their findings and discover opportunities to dismantle inherent health disparities by downloading the assessment.
On October 4, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury issued a request for information titled “Coverage of Over-the-Counter Preventive Services”. This request is regarding the application of the preventive services requirements under the Public Health Service Act to over-the-counter (OTC) preventive items and services available without a prescription by a health care provider. Some examples could include certain types of tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy, folic acid supplements, breastfeeding supplies, and contraceptives such as a recently approved OTC progestin-only daily oral contraceptive. Additional recommended preventive products may become available OTC in the future. AMCP submitted comments in response to the proposed rule on December 4, 2023.
Patients need to be aware of the dangers of fake medicines, potentially causing disease progression, adverse events, and even death. AMCP supports the joint statement released by National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and other health care organizations on fighting fake medicines bought online.
On September 18, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued the draft guidance titled “Advancing Governance, Innovation, and Risk Management for Agency Use of Artificial Intelligence”. While AI is improving operations and efficiency across the Federal Government, agencies must effectively manage its use. As such, this memorandum establishes new agency requirements and guidance for AI governance, innovation, and risk management, including through specific minimum risk management practices for uses of AI that impact the rights and safety of the public. The document focuses on three main pillars:
.Strengthening AI governance;
.Advancing responsible AI innovation; and
.Managing risks from the use of AI by directing agencies to adopt mandatory safeguards for the development and use of AI that impacts the rights and safety of the public.
AMCP submitted comments in response to the proposed rule on December 1, 2023.
November 2023 Legislative & Regulatory Briefing: AMCP’s Adam Colborn Gives a Legislative, Regulatory, and Judiciary Update on Trending Topics in the Pharmacy Space; AMCP Comments on Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act; Now Available: Key Takeaways from AMCP’s Aug. 2 IRA Workshop Kickoff; AMCP Comments on Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in HHS Programs or Activities; AMCP Celebrates America’s Managed Care Pharmacists During National Pharmacy Month; Register Now: Access, Affordability, and Outcomes: The Value of Managed Care Pharmacy Webinar.
On May 30, 2023, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the proposed rule titled “Medication Guides: Patient Medication Information”. The purpose of this rule is to amend its human prescription drug product labeling regulations for Medication Guides (FDA approved written prescription drug product information distributed to patients). This action, if finalized, will require applicants to create a new type of Medication Guide, referred to as Patient Medication Information (PMI), for prescription drug products, including biological products, used, dispensed, or administered on an outpatient basis and for blood and blood components transfused in an outpatient setting. AMCP submitted comments in response to the proposed rule on November 27, 2023.
These AMCP, AMCP Learn, and Journal of Managed Care + Specialty Pharmacy resources can help increase our understanding of health disparities, their impact, and the role of managed care pharmacy in mitigating them.
On September 18, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the draft guidance titled “Labeling for Biosimilar and Interchangeable Biosimilar Products”. AMCP submitted comments in response to the proposed rule on November 17, 2023.
Last week, AMCP hosted its second IRA workshop, convening stakeholders to help unpack the complexities of the Inflation Reduction Act and discuss what’s on the horizon. In her latest blog, AMCP CEO Susan Cantrell reflects on the takeaways.
