From the first news of a novel coronavirus being discovered, to the official classification of a global pandemic due to COVID-19, information regarding temporary and emergency protocols, proposed guidelines as well as public safety recommendations, to name a few, have continually been updated and revised as more information regarding the virus is discovered. Heath care providers, such as pharmacists, search for credible sources of information to not only educate themselves on this pandemic but on how to advise and care for their patients as well. In an effort to help consolidate the most up-to-date regulatory and professional organizational guidelines and policies, MEDISCA Network has created a document to serve the healthcare community as a resource for providing such information. Some of the major topics of concern have been included and are subcategorized by the countries of Australia, Canada and the United States as well as other potentially relevant international documents. We are #heretohelp the global compounding industry!

Click Here to View the Pharmacist Support Document.

Over the last month, MEDISCA Network’s formulation department has worked around the clock developing formulas to support compounding pharmacists address drug shortages accumulating across the globe in consequence of COVID-19 manufacturing disruptions.

From antiseptic solutions, to critical care medications, to antipyretics, analgesics, sedatives, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, antimicrobials, and much more, MEDISCA Network has published over 100 formulas, to date (and growing), in support of potential shortages. Further to this, all of the shortage support formulas are FREELY accessible on MEDISCA Network’s Potential Shortage Support webpage…!

“Our primary objective right now is to provide the resources and expertise support that our compounding pharmacists on the frontlines need during this critical time” said Marlene Abouassaly, Technical Support Service Manager at MEDISCA Network, “and formulas are such an essential part of the compounding process”. All of MEDISCA Network’s formulas are  fully referenced with details on ingredient quantities, special ingredient considerations, calculation templates, preparatory instructions, estimated BUDs, package requirements, auxiliary labels, and more. Certain formulas, such as Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate 25 mg/mL oral liquid, also have references for extended beyond-use dates (BUD); in this particular case, a BUD of 90 days when compounded in MEDISCA’s Oral Mix and packaged in PrecesieDose™ Syringes. In determining shortage support needs, MEDISCA Network’s team is staying ahead of the curve by closely monitoring shortage list updates published by the FDA, ASHP, Health Canada, and the TGA.

To further support pharmacists during these times, for the remainder of the month, MEDISCA Network will be offering 10% discounts on all their Technical Support Service bundle packages for new subscribers. Package options include access to a databank of 8,000+ formulas, customized formulation design, consultation services, and a dedicated customer support help line. From formulation chemists, to compounding pharmacists, and lab technicians MEDISCA Network’s team has made it clear they are #HERETOHELP. For more details visit here and/or contact MEDISCA Network at information@medisca.net.

United States

• US lawmakers have passed $2 trillion stimulus package. The legislation includes direct payments to individuals, a boost to unemployment benefits and a $500 billion lending program.
• Congress has already approved more than $112 billion to ramp up vaccine research and provide two weeks of paid sick leave for those who are being tested or treated for COVID-19.
• The Federal Reserve has let loose a tsunami of stimulus measures in recent days. That includes an initial pledge to purchase $700 billion in US Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which now has no cap and can include corporate bonds and bond exchange-traded funds. The Fed also announced $300 billion in new financing to keep credit flowing to businesses and consumers.

Canada

• In a rare session, Canadian lawmakers passed legislation that will subsidize up to 75% of workers’ salaries to avoid even more mass layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, now out of quarantine after his wife tested positive for the virus in March, attended the scaled-down session with a "quorum" of about 20 lawmakers.
• Opposition parties joined Trudeau’s governing party to unanimously approve the wage-subsidy scheme, which will cost more than $50 billion (in US currency) and will be applied retroactively to days worked since March 15.
• A majority of Canadian companies are likely to qualify for the subsidy.

Australia

• Other stimulus measures include inexpensive bank financing which is aimed to stimulate borrowing, part of this was announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
• The government also announced a $20 billion loan guarantee to help impacted small/medium-sized businesses meet cash flow requirements. If you include these total loan guarantees with the direct fiscal stimulus, then the total stimulus in the economy is worth around 10% of GDP.
• There are also RBA interest rate cuts and three-year government bond purchases to meet the 0.25% yield target. 

• Details of the package announced to include: increase the payment of the Newstart allowance (an additional $550/fortnight) and expanded eligibility for income support (the Newstart allowance). It also includes:
  • Further $750 payment (on top of the $750 already announced) for those on welfare support (5.2 million Australians), and Job Keeper Payments
  • Early access to superannuation for those whose wages have been directly affected by the virus (draw up to $10K from superannuation this and next financial year) tax-free, 
  • More flexibility around retirees on drawing down on their superannuation and increasing cash payments to SMEs ($20K payment up to $100K).

• The Prime Minister said that more stimulus initiatives are likely, and citizens should expect more direct cash handouts to Australian households to be announced over the next few weeks. 

United Kingdom

• The UK government has unveiled £330 billion ($397 billion) in loan guarantees and suspended local business taxes for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors for 12 months. It will also cover 80% of workers' salaries for at least the next three months, up to a maximum of £2,500 ($2,900) a month. It's unclear how much that initiative will cost.
• In addition, the UK government promised to provide the self-employed with a cash grant of 80% of their average monthly profit, up to £2,500 ($3,000) a month, over the next quarter.
• The Bank of England has said it will increase its holdings of UK government and corporate bonds by £200 billion ($242 billion).

European Union

• Germany has unveiled a rescue package worth up to €750 billion ($825 billion) that includes measures to spur lending to businesses and take direct stakes in companies.
• France has approved €45 billion ($50 billion) in relief for small businesses and unemployed workers. It is also guaranteeing €300 billion ($330 billion) in corporate borrowing.
• Italy has greenlit €25 billion ($27.5 billion) to help workers and support the country's health system, while Spain has put up €200 billion ($220 billion).
• The European Central Bank has said it will spend €750 billion ($824 billion) buying government debt and private securities before the end of 2020, and stands ready to do more if necessary. That's on top of €120 billion ($133 billion) in extra purchases it announced previously.

China

• So far, China has announced at least 116.9 billion yuan ($16.4 billion) in financial relief and stimulus, plus 800 billion yuan ($112.5 billion) in tax and fee reductions. .
• The People's Bank of China has adopted various credit easing measures, allocating at least 1.15 trillion yuan ($162 billion) to help businesses hit by the virus.

To support the COVID-19 isolation measures and MEDISCA's commitment to providing industry-leading continuing healthcare education, MEDISCA is happy to announce that they will be bringing their North American live seminars to your home through live streaming solutions. This innovative learning experience allows you to attend seminars and receive Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) credits (as you would if you were in person) from the comfort and safety of your home. “In real time, you will connect with fellow peers and facilitator(s), virtually through our online learning platform” said MEDISCA  General Manger, Maurizio De Stefano. “This platform will allow you to see and interact with subject-matter experts as they light up the stage from their living room to yours!”

A list of upcoming MEDISCA  Live Stream Seminars and links to their corresponding course pages can be found below:

• Essential Elements of Personalized Analgesic Medications | May 2-3, 2020
• Achieving Best Practices with NAPRA Standards: Non-sterile Compounding | May 14, 2020
• Staying Current and Compliant with Regulations and Standards in Your Compounding Practice | May 15, 2020
• Essential Elements of Hazardous Drug Compounding | May 16-17, 2020
• Achieving Best Practices with NAPRA Standards: Non-sterile Compounding | May 30, 2020

Contact Information: sales_au@medisca.com | www.medisca.com.au | 1300 786 392

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, MEDISCA, MEDISCA Network, and LP3 Network have decided to cancel the World Congress of Compounding Event scheduled to be held at ARIA, Las Vegas on October 2-3, 2020. Given the uncertainty we are currently facing, we have decided to be proactive as there is no higher priority for us than the health, safety, and physical well-being of each of you, together with everyone else involved in the event.

Contact Information: info@compoundingcongress.com | www.compoundingcongress.com | 1-866-833-5318

MEDISCA Network is closely monitoring potential shortages occurring across North America and Australia on a daily basis. In the last week, MEDISCA Network has added acetaminophen, epinephrine, diltiazem, bumetanide, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and vitamin D3 formulations among more. All potential shortage formulations are freely accessible to all. For a full list and access to formulations that may address potential shortages, please visit the following address:

• MEDISCA Network’s Potential Shortage Support

Contact Information: information@medisca.net | www.medisca.net | 1-866-333-7811

As the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacies becomes more apparent, MEDISCA is ramping up efforts to develop a webinar addressing the latest empirical evidence on COVID-19 transmission and management. The webinar will place special attention to the compounding pharmacist’s role in mitigating risk, addressing shortages, and achieving therapeutic needs. The webinar will be airing live across the globe next Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 5:00 pm EDT (2:00 pm PDT or 9:00 pm GMT or Friday, March 27, 2020 at 8:00 am AEDT). This webinar is open to all and is freely accessible at the following link. The webinar will be recorded and made available on-demand after the live webinar.

• COVID-19: The Pharmacist’s Role in Mitigating Risk, Addressing Shortages, and Attending to Therapeutic Needs

Contact Information: sales_au@medisca.com | www.medisca.com.au | 1300 786 392

Prevention Procedures

As a company spanning over 50 countries around the world, we are witnessing the widespread effect of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are dedicated to minimizing the spread of this global pandemic. As such, the following procedures have been put in place and are effective immediately:

• All business travel has been suspended including meetings, conferences, tradeshows, events, etc. for the immediate future.
• Cancellation/postponement of the following MEDISCA  Australia Training Activities:
  • Nutraceutical Therapy- An Integrative and Function Approach, scheduled 17-18 April, 2020, in Melbourne: Cancelled until further notice
  • Achieving Best Practices - Sterile Compounding, scheduled 24-26 May, 2020, in Sydney: Cancelled until further notice
  • The Science of Pharmaceutical Compounding - Non-Sterile Training, scheduled 29-31 May, 2020, in Sydney: Cancelled until further notice
  • Nutraceutical Compounding Laboratory Training, scheduled 1 June, 2020, in Sydney: Cancelled until further notice
  • Dermatology Compounding Laboratory Training, scheduled 1 June, 2020, in Sydney: Cancelled until further notice

  Medisca Australia currently remains available as posted on their site (https://www.medisca.com.au/healthcare-courses).  The upcoming Nutraceutical course in April is currently under evaluation and registrants will be notified of any changes.

  MEDISCA has swiftly taken action and contacted all participants registered to the cancelled training programs in March and April ensuring a solution has been provided for future enrollments and credits on file extended until December 2020.  For any additional information, certainly contact  sales_au@medisca.com or 1300 786 392.

• Outside sales representatives will conduct business from home to provide support for their customers and avoid visiting pharmacies in person.
• Heightened restrictions for visitors to our locations worldwide, relying heavily on teleconferencing to conduct business.
• Enhanced daily professional cleaning of all common areas in MEDISCA facilities
• Providing necessary resources to our team to encourage continuity of work in case of voluntary quarantine.

We recognize that these cancellations and changes will inconvenience many of our customers and we sincerely apologize for the disruption. As we continue to put the health and safety of our team, customers, and pharmacies as our first priority, we ask for your patience and cooperation in working to end this pandemic.

Product Availability

We appreciate you choosing MEDISCA as your compounding partner and would like to honor that relationship by continuing to supply you with high-quality products throughout this crisis. Although some products are in shortage industry-wide, we are working to minimize supply chain issues and would ask that you place orders based on your current needs and typical inventory flow.  Please note that some items (like facemasks, 70% IPA) are out of stock or in short supply but inventory is being replenished.  We will continue to closely monitor the shortages and keep you informed of any updates. 

We would also like to provide your pharmacies with resources and services that may enhance your ability to serve in this time of need. Compounding can offer relief and stability during traditional drug shortages and MEDISCA can help formulate alternative options for all wellness needs, including sanitizing, nutraceutical and medication needs. Please contact MEDISCA Network for ideas as your resource to formulas that could benefit your community and improve the overall health of your patients. Visit our page for available sample formulas to assist you in this time of need https://www.medisca.net/technical-services/tss/shortage-support or call us at 1-866-333-7811 for any additional support.

Product and Packaging Safety

We have received several questions regarding the possibility of the virus spreading via product surfaces or packaging, and would refer you to statements made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO):

“In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very, very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.”

       - Dr. Nancy Messonnier, CDC Director for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 26 February 2020

“The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.”

       - WHO Website “Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)”, 9 March 2020