RPhLink - Relief Pharmacy Services - Pharmacy Management & Pharmacy Staffing Solutions.  Clients looking for help, please call 920-841-3431. Pharmacists, for more information about RPhLink Relief Pharmacy Services team member, please e-mail us at info@RPhLink.com.

General Pharmacy Classified | Pharmacy Antiques | Pharmacy Collectibles | Rx Computing 

RPhLink.com  The Pharmaceutical Care Network!

From Schering-Plough

September 2004

Dear Pharmacist:

This letter is to inform you of changes, effective immediately, in how INTRON A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) Powder for Injection is supplied. Please be aware that there is a new diluent with new storage requirements.

NEW DILUENT

The new diluent supplied with INTRON A Powder for Injection will now be Sterile Water for Injection, USP provided in a 1-ml size only. This replaces the Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP previously provided in various size vials. This new diluent does not contain a preservative. After reconstitution and withdrawal of a single dose, the vial and remaining contents must be discarded.

                                                                                         Products with New Diluent

Vial Strength(Powder)                   New Diluent Size                       Old Diluent Size                        NDC Code (Not Changed)

10 MIU                                          1 mL                                         2mL                                         0085-0571-02

18 MIU                                          1 mL                                         1 mL                                        0085-1110-01

50 MIU                                          1 mL                                          1 mL                                        0085-0539-01

NEW STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

Please be aware of and instruct patients on the new storage requirements. After reconstitution, INTRON A Powder for Injection should be used immediately, but may be stored up to 24 hours at 2 degrees to 8 degrees C (36 degrees to 46 degrees F). Storage for INTRON A Powder for Injection before reconstitution remains the same at between 2 degrees and 8 degrees C (36 degrees and 46 degrees F).

The change in diluent size does not affect dosing in any way. The vials of INTRON A lyophilized powder have always been and still are single-use vials. Also, the NDC numbers are not affected by these changes; thus, there is no impact on your ability to order the INTRON A powder products. You simply continue to order the INTRON A powder presentations as you have in the past.

We are also informing physicians of these changes. You should continue to dispense any existing product you may have in stock containing the Bacteriostatic Water for Injection diluent.

Please see enclosed full Prescribing Information.

Your Schering sales representative will be happy to discuss with you any questions you may have regarding these changes, or call Schering's customer service at 1-800-222-7579.

Sincerely,

Bruce Briggs, RPh

Director of Pharmacy Development

 

 


©2000 RPhLink.com The Pharmaceutical Care Network!

Front page | In Pharmacy this week | RxNews1 | RxNews2 | Pharmacy Jobs |

 

 

General Pharmacy Classified | Pharmacy Antiques | Pharmacy Collectibles | Rx Computing 

RPhLink.com  The Pharmaceutical Care Network!

12/09/04

From Duramed

Subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is pleased to announce the acquisition of Plan B (levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg- now the only marketed emergency contraceptive.

Plan B, currently available by prescription, is a progestin-only pill. Since Preven  (levonorgestrel) 0.25 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg tablet USP) has been discontinued and is no longer manufactured, Plan B provides a safe and effective alternative for emergency contraception. If you receive any prescription for Preven, you should contact the prescriber and offer Plan B as the safe and effective alternative.

Plan B is not an abortifacient; it is not effective if a women is already pregnant. Plan B can prevent pregnancy in cases of contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse. For optimal efficacy, a woman must take the first tablet as soon as possible within 72 hours and the second tablet 12 hours later. Plan B can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89% when taken as directed.

Each packet of Plan B contains a single, 2 tablet course of treatment. The NDC number is 51285-038-93.

Plan B May be appropriate when a woman

-Engaged in intercourse without contraception protection

-Used a barrier methods of contraception that failed during intercourse or failed to follow their contraceptive regimen

-Was raped

Plan B broadens the contraceptive options Duramed offers to women. Our sales force will provide you with materials to support the use of Plan B. Information for professionals and patients is available at www.go2planB.com. Our Plan B information line can be accessed toll free at 1-800-330-1271 from 8AM to 7PM EST.

Stocking Plan B is the critical first step. Order Plan B now from your wholesaler or call 1-800-330-1271. We hope you will help Duramed Pharmaceuticals provide access to women in need of emergency contraception. Stocking Plan B is especially important, since timing is critical to the efficacy of Plan B.

Very Truly Yours,

Ericka Higgins

Product Manager

PS: Coming soon! Duramed Pharmaceuticals will be conducting a full-scale launch of Plan B, complete with new materials for professionals and patients in the near future. In the interim, our sales representatives will be calling on you with patient materials and literature for professionals.

Plan B is contraindicated in women with known or suspected pregnancy, hypersensitivity to any component of the product, or undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding.

Plan B is not recommended for routine use as a contraceptive. Plan B is not effective in terminating an existing pregnancy. Plan B does not protect against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Menstrual bleeding may be heavier or lighter after taking Plan B. If menses are delayed beyond one week, pregnancy should be considered. Severe abdominal pain may signal a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy.

Common side effects associated with the use of Plan B include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changed.

 

 


©2000 RPhLink.com The Pharmaceutical Care Network!

Front page | In Pharmacy this week | RxNews1 | RxNews2 | Pharmacy Jobs | Back to previous page

© 2004 RPhLink.com  The Pharmaceutical Care Network! is designed and published by RPhLink. Inc. All Rights Reserved. Owned and Operated by Pharmacists for Pharmacists and Better Pharmaceutical Care.   RPhLink.com is designed by RPhs for Pharmacists & Pharmacy Techs.  For information use only! Disclaimer.