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2019 November Newsletter

PHARMACOM LLC

A Consulting Company

November 2019

Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Closing

Under Medicare Part D, patients pay more for prescription drugs once total drug costs reach a certain annual threshold. This increase is known as the coverage gap ("donut hole"). The gap has been narrowing since passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. The gap for brand-name drugs closed in 2019, and the gap for generic drugs will close January 1, 2020. In 2020, Part D beneficiaries will pay 25% of drug costs after the deductible is met. Those who spend more than $6,350 will reach catastrophic coverage and will pay 5% of drug costs.

New Drugs Approved

Xenleta (lefamulin) is the first oral and IV product in a new class of "pleuromutilin" antibiotics. It is approved for treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Although it may be promoted as an option for resistant infections, there is no data on the effectiveness of lefamulin in patients with methicillin-resistant S aureus.

Amzeeq is the first topical minocycline product. It is a foam containing 4% minocycline, and it is approved for treatment of moderate to severe acne in adults and children aged 9 years or older. It is applied once daily.

Slynd is a progestin-only contraceptive pill containing 4 mg drospirenone. Patients take active tablets for 24 days followed by placebo tablets for four days. Patients must take tablets at the same time each day. Backup contraception is required if a dose is taken more than 24 hours late.

Low English Proficiency Increases Risk of Readmission

Canadian patients with low English proficiency who are discharged from the hospital after treatment of chronic conditions are at higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. The risk of readmission was 29% higher in heart failure patients with low English proficiency compared to patients with good English proficiency. The risk of readmission was 51% higher in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and low English proficiency. Patients with low English proficiency may not understand their discharge instructions and may be uncomfortable or unable to ask questions about their hospitalization and treatment.

November is National Diabetes Month

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

November 18-24 is US Antibiotic Awareness Week

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