From the Desk of the CEO

APhA members representing 31 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia gathered last week to flex their political muscles at the organization’s first virtual congressional conference. Over the course of the 3-day conference, participants got a crash course on crucial pharmacy practice legislation, worked with colleagues on advocacy strategy, and met with Members of Congress and their staff.

Early last summer, Walmart announced the launch of a new private brand, cash-pay analog insulin, made by drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Sold under Walmart’s private ReliOn label, vials go for $72.88 each and FlexPens for $85.88 each. Walmart calculates that the products will save customers between 58% and 75% of the cash price for branded analog insulin products, which translates to savings of up to $101 per branded vial or $251 per package of branded FlexPens. But, for many who struggle with the day-to-day costs of living with diabetes, these brands may still be tough to afford. Other pharmacies or drug-maker patient assistance programs may offer more support to cash-strapped patients.

A new CDC study reveals that Americans with a disability were more likely to seek COVID-19 vaccines, but had more challenges obtaining them compared with other people.

ISMP has reported multiple mix-ups between the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines since the former became available in September. All the mishaps happened in community and ambulatory care pharmacies, according to ISMP.

New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, REGEN-COV, significantly reduced the risk of COVID-19–related hospitalizations and death in patients. The study results were part of the phase 3 portion of an adaptive trial.