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San Antonio Metro Health Advisory
The Center of Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated isolation
and quarantine guidelines for COVID based on what is currently
known about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Isolation relates to
behavior after confirmed infection and isolation for 5 days
followed by wearing a well-fitting mask will minimize the risk of
spreading the virus to others. Both updates come as the
Omicron variant continues to spread throughout the U.S. and reflect
the current science on when and for how long a person is maximally
infectious. Read advisory here.
Texas Offers New
COVID-19 Treatments After Omicron Exhausts Monoclonal Antibody
Supply
As COVID-19 cases surge
across the country, five regional infusion centers in Texas have
exhausted their supply of sotrovimab, the only monoclonal antibody
treatment effective against the omicron variant. Three
recently authorized therapeutics are now available throughout the
state and may be effective for certain COVID-19 patients. Continue reading.
How to Renew Your
Electronic Prescribing Hardship Waiver
Controlled substances (EPCS)
must now be electronically prescribed by physicians and other
prescribers in Texas. However, prescribers who demonstrate financial or technical hardships,
or other exceptional circumstances, are eligible for a waiver from
the Texas Medical Board (TMB) that, if approved, grants a one-year
delay. If the hardship persists, prescribers must renew that waiver
annually.
"No
Surprises Act" Scheduled To Take Effect January 1
CNN reports, “The No
Surprises Act, which bans most unexpected medical charges from
out-of-network providers, is scheduled to go into effect January 1”
and “will apply to about 10 million surprise bills a year,
according to federal estimates.” The law “protects patients when
they receive emergency care or scheduled treatment from doctors and
hospitals that are not in their insurance networks and that they
did not choose.”
FDA Approves Inclisiran,
a Twice-Yearly Injection to Lower LDL Levels
The US Food and Drug
Administration has approved inclisiran (Leqvio; Novartis), a small
interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy, for lowering LDL cholesterol
levels. The treatment is approved as an adjunct to diet and
maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heterozygous familial
hypercholesterolemia (FH) with LDL cholesterol levels that are
still too high. Continue reading.
FREE PPE Still
Available from BCMS
Do you need PPE For your
practice? Let us help! Physician practices in need of PPE,
please click here to indicate your PPE needs. Requests are filled as
donated supplies are available.
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