October 28, 2024: DOJ hands down indictments and patients harmed by formulary change
Major Stories
Eight companies and individuals indicted for roles in synthetic opioid trade and patients hurt by sudden formulary changes.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced indictments against eight Chinese companies and employees of those companies filed in the Middle District of Florida in the past year. These companies and employees are alleged to have trafficked in fentanyl precursor ingredients and protonitazene, a synthetic opioid. The DOJ acknowledged the efforts of the People's Republic of China, Ministry of Public Security, noting that five of the companies are no longer in business.
A study recently published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology examined how a pharmacy benefit manager’s decision to remove a popular direct oral anticoagulant medication from its formulary in 2022 impacted patients. A national survey of 254 patients found that 28% (71 individuals) reported experiencing side effects due to being non-medically switched. Twenty-two percent (55 individuals) reported symptoms returning, with seven percent (17 individuals) of patients suffering a heart attack and four percent (10 individuals) suffering a stroke.
Negative experiences reported by patients forced to switch anticoagulant medication. Source: national survey by the American Society for Preventive Cardiology and the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health.
Domestic News
Pill presses seized in two states and disparity in reimbursements rates by PBMs.
Police in Lawrence, Massachusetts arrested three men, seizing a pill press and 35,000 counterfeit pills made with fentanyl.
A woman in Henry County, Virginia was arrested after police found a pill press while searching a home in Fieldale.
A new article highlighted the disparity in pharmacy benefits managers’ reimbursement rates between chain pharmacies and independent pharmacies. While a chain pharmacy received $23.55 when it filled a drug to treat blood pressure (amlodipine), a small independent pharmacy in Tate, Georgia only received $1.51.
Illegal pill presses continue to be seized throughout the U.S. Click here to learn more about this issue.
International News
UK officials concerned about GLP-1 agonists and fake medicine ring busted in India.
The U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued a reminder to healthcare professionals about the potential side effects of GLP-1 agonists and the potential for non-qualifying patients to seek out these medications, such as obtaining a private prescription or purchasing from an unlicensed source.
Police in Agra, Uttar Pradesh arrested ten individuals that were allegedly producing and selling counterfeit medications.
Counterfeit weight loss injections have been seized in countries around the world. Click here to learn about this issue.