A committee of advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted unanimously to make future COVID-19 vaccines interchangeable, whether individuals are getting their first dose or a booster. The vaccines will all have the same formulation targeting the same viral strain or strains, regardless of the manufacturer. [ read more ]

Flu Vaccine 68% Effective in Preventing Hospitalization in Children

The flu vaccine has been 68 percent effective at preventing hospitalizations in children but has been less protective for seniors this season. Specifically, the vaccine was 35 percent effective at preventing hospitalization for seniors in one study, and 42 percent effective in a second analysis. For people with weak immune systems, the vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalization by 44 percent in one study and 30 percent in another. [ read more ]

Moderna's RSV Vaccine Is 84 Percent Effective

A recent study has found Moderna's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is 83.7 percent effective at preventing lower respiratory tract disease, defined as two or more symptoms, in people ages 60 and older, and 82.4 percent effective at preventing lower respiratory tract disease with three or more symptoms, with no safety concerns. [ read  more ]

COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Fewer Heart Cardiovascular Issues

Analyzing the most extensive datasets in the U.S., researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have revealed that vaccination against COVID-19 is associated with fewer heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular issues among people who were infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. [ read  more ]

From Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline

Advisers at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have recommended the agency approve two single-dose respiratory syncytial virus vaccines for older adults ages 60 and older that have shown to reduce the risk of illness by as much as 86 percent. [ read more ]

From Lucira Health

Lucira Health has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its COVID-19 & Flu Home Test, the first at-home test that can simultaneously detect both COVID-19 and influenza. [ read more ]

From AstraZeneca

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Jesduvroq tablets (daprodustat) as the first oral treatment for anemia (decreased number of red blood cells) caused by chronic kidney disease for adults who have been receiving dialysis for at least four months. [ read more ]

From American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published its first comprehensive guidance in 15 years titled "Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity" that provides evidence-based recommendations on medical care for those age 2 and older. [ read more ]

• HEPARIN SODIUM (TECHDOW)

HEPARIN SODIUM injection is an anticoagulant indicated for prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease; atrial fibrillation with embolization; treatment of acute and chronic consumptive coagulopathies (disseminated intravascular coagulation); prevention of clotting in arterial and cardiac surgery; prophylaxis and treatment of peripheral arterial embolism; and use as an anticoagulant in blood transfusions, extracorporeal circulation and dialysis procedures. It is supplied in a concentration of 1,000 mL in 2 mL single-dose vials and 1 mL, 10 mL and 30 mL multiple-dose vials; in a concentration of 5,000 mL in 1 mL and 10 mL multiple-dose vials; in a concentration of 10,000 mL in 1 mL and 5 mL multiple-dose vials; and in a concentration of 20,000 mL in 1 mL multiple-dose vials.

For more information about HEPARIN SODIUM, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• IVERMECTIN CREAM (PADAGIS)

IVERMECTIN CREAM is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. The 1% white to pale yellow cream is supplied in a 45 gram laminated tube with a child-resistant cap.

For more information about IVERMECTIN CREAM, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE (AMNEAL PHARMACEUTICALS)

METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE injectable suspension is indicated for 1) control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, serum sickness and trab nsfusion reactions; 2) dermatologic diseases, including bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, exfoliative dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, pemphigus and severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome); 3) endocrine disorders, including primary or secondary adrenocortical, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypercalcemia associated with cancer and nonsupportive thyroiditis; 4) gastrointestinal diseases, including regional enteritis (systemic therapy) and ulcerative colitis; 5) hematologic disorders, including acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia (Diamond Blackfan anemia), pure red cell aplasia and select cases of secondary thrombocytopenia; 6) trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement and tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy; 7) neoplastic diseases, including leukemias and lymphomas; 8) cerebral edema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumor or craniotomy; 9) ophthalmic diseases, including sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids; 10) to induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome or that due to lupus erythematosus; 11) respiratory diseases, including berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy, idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonias and symptomatic sarcoidosis; and 12) as adjunctive therapy for short-term administration in acute gouty arthritis, acute rheumatic carditis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and as treatment of dermatomyositis, polymyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus. It is supplied as a white to off-white homogenous suspension in 40 mg/mL and 80 mg/mL single-dose vials in cartons of 25.

For more information about METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• ARTESUNATE (AMIVAS INC.)

ARTESUNATE for injection is an antimalarial indicated for the initial treatment of severe malaria in adult and pediatric patients. It is supplied as a white or almost white, sterile, fine crystalline powder for constitution in 110 mg single-dose, clear glass vials sealed with a rubber stopper and an aluminum overseal.

For more information about ARTESUNATE, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• KETALAR (PAR PHARMACEUTICAL)

KETALAR (ketamine hydrochloride) injection for intravenous or intramuscular use is a general anesthetic indicated as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation; for the induction of anesthesia prior to the administration of other general anesthetic agents; and as a supplement to other anesthetic agents. The clear, colorless solution is supplied as the hydrochloride salt in concentrations equivalent to 200 mg in 20 mL multiple-dose vials, 500 mg in 10 mL multiple-dose vials and 500 mg in 5 mL multiple-dose vials, all of which come in units of 10.

For more information about KETALAR, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• MENQUADFI (SANOFI)

MENQUADFI meningococcal (groups A, C, Y, W) conjugate vaccine solution for intramuscular injection is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W and Y for use in individuals 2 years of age and older. It is supplied in a single-dose vial in packages of five vials.

For more information about MENQUADFI, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• SODIUM BICARBONATE (EXELA PHARMA SCIENCES)

SODIUM BICARBONATE injection, USP, is indicated 1) in the treatment of metabolic acidosis that may occur in severe renal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory insufficiency due to shock or severe dehydration, extracorporeal circulation of blood, cardiac arrest and severe primary lactic acidosis, 2) in the treatment of certain drug intoxications, including barbiturates (where dissociation of the barbiturate-protein complex is desired), in poisoning by salicylates or methyl alcohol and in hemolytic reactions requiring alkalinization of the urine to diminish nephrotoxicity of hemoglobin and its breakdown products and 3) in severe diarrhea that is often accompanied by a significant loss of bicarbonate. It is supplied in 50 mL vials with either 20 or 25 vials per carton, and 10 mL vials with 25 vials per carton.

For more information about SODIUM BICARBONATE, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• PRIORIX (GLAXOSMITHKLINE)

PRIORIX (vaccine, live) is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps and rubella in individuals 12 months of age and older. It is supplied in a box containing 10 single-dose vials of lyophilized antigen component and 10 single-dose prefilled ungraduated syringes of sterile water diluent (packaged without needles). After reconstitution, each vial contains one dose (approximately 0.5 mL) of PRIORIX.

For more information about PRIORIX, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• EPINEPHRINESNAP™-EMS Kit (SNAP MEDICAL INDUSTRIES)

EpinephrineSnap™-EMS is an epinephrine convenience kit designed to treat a single episode of an allergic reaction/anaphylaxis. The epinephrine in this kit is a non-selective alpha and beta adrenergic agonist indicated for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. The kit is supplied with (1) vial of epinephrine injection, (4) alcohol prep pads, (2) 23-gauge, 1-inch safety needles, (2) 1 mL luer lock Epinephrine Syringes™, and (1) instructions for use card.

For more information about EPINEPHRINESNAP™-EMS Kit, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• EPINEPHRINESNAP™-V Kit (SNAP MEDICAL INDUSTRIES)

EpinephrineSnap™-V is an epinephrine convenience kit designed to treat a single episode of an allergic reaction/anaphylaxis. The epinephrine in this kit is a non-selective alpha and beta adrenergic agonist indicated for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. The kit is supplied with (1) vial of epinephrine injection, (4) alcohol prep pads, (3) 23-gauge, 1-inch safety needles, (3) 1 mL luer lock Epinephrine Syringes™, and (1) instructions for use card.

For more information about EPINEPHRINESNAP™-V Kit, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• PREHEVBRIO (VBI VACCINES)

PREHEVBRIO (hepatitis B vaccine [recombinant]) is indicated for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults 18 years of age and older. It is supplied in a 1.0 mL single-dose vial, or in a package of 10 single dose-vials.

For more information about PREHEVBRIO, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• LANREOTIDE (CIPLA USA)

LANREOTIDE injection is a somatostatin analog indicated for 1) the long-term treatment of acromegalic patients who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy; and 2) the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, well or moderately differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors to improve progression-free survival. It is supplied in strengths of 60 mg/0.2 mL, 90 mg/0.3 mL and 120 mg/0.5 mL in single-dose prefilled syringes.

For more information about LANREOTIDE, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

• PYRIMETHAMINE TABLETS (ALVOGEN)

PYRIMETHAMINE TABLETS 25 mg are indicated for the treatment of toxoplasmosis when used conjointly with a sulfonamide, since synergism exists with this combination. They are supplied as tablets, each containing 25 mg pyrimethamine in bottles of 100 (NDC 47781-925-01) and 30 (NDC 47781-925-30) and in 30-count unit-dose blister cartons (NDC 47781-925-31).

For more information about PYRIMETHAMINE TABLETS, log in to biosupply.fffenterprises.com

These products can be ordered from FFF Enterprises' BioSupply Online Ordering System or by calling
Wow! Customer Care at (800) 843-7477.

Current Medicare IVIG / SCIG Rates

Rates per gram are effective January 1, 2023, through March 31, 2023.

Resources

FFF customers may order the following complementary resources to help you with your practice: