Regulatory and Washington

WASHINGTON — The message in October is "Know Your Pharmacist, Know Your Medicine" as the American Pharmacists Association launches its annual American Pharmacists Month.

NEW YORK — The Department of Health and Human Services will furlough more than half of its employees due to the government shutdown, the agency said.

In announcing a contingency staffing plan for the shutdown, which started Tuesday when Congress failed to pass a budget in time, HHS said 52% of its employees would be on furlough, totaling 40,512 members of its staff. The remaining 48%, or 37,686 employees, would remain. The scheduled introduction of the health insurance exchanges mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will also continue.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer has become the latest retailer to address the need many consumers have for more information about the health insurance exchanges that are part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

BRUSSELS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new usage for a drug made by UCB, the drug maker said Monday.

UCB announced the approval of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) for psoriatic arthritis in adults. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory, autoimmune condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints, usually combined with the skin lesions of psoriasis. The drug was already approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — The National Criminal Justice Association has recognized a program to combat prescription drug abuse in Arizona as the best such program in the west of the country.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy said the Arizona Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Initiative received the NCJA's 2013 Western Region Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award. The program involves state agencies and organizations, including the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Management Association on Saturday added its voice supporting national pharmaceutical traceability legislation (Drug Quality and Security Act/H.R. 3204). 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating early-stage breast cancer before surgery, the agency said Monday.

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday signed legislation to prohibit pharmacies and stores from selling dextromethorphan to any person younger than 18 years unless they have a prescription.

“This legislation will combat the growing trend of DXM abuse by preventing young people from easily purchasing products that contain DXM,” Cuomo stated. “The overuse of this drug can lead to terrible consequences, so by limiting access to this substance, this new law will prevent tragedies and protect the health of our children.”