Weekly Fill #22

Welcome back to this week's edition of the Weekly Fill! We're bringing you the latest pharmacy trends with some fun updates about life at ShiftRx.

Guess what? Our ceiling is finally fixed, the rats have been eradicated, and Austin is getting sunshine again. The office vibes are at an all-time high. Plus, we've got a huge announcement coming soon, stay tuned!

The Weekly Fill is your go-to for pharmacists, pharmacy techs, owners, operators, managers, you name it. Basically, if you're in pharmacy, this newsletter's for you. Share it with 10 pharmacy friends, or risk five years of bad luck (seriously) 😊

💊 The Big Fill this Week: FDA ends semaglutide shortage, compounders on the clock

What's happening?

The FDA just announced the semaglutide injection shortage is over, putting compounders of popular weight-loss meds like Wegovy and Ozempic on notice. They've got 60-90 days to halt production of these compounded versions since they're still under patent.

Quick Doses:

• Hims & Hers pulls the plug: Telehealth player Hims & Hers is stopping sales of their compounded semaglutide, causing their stock to nosedive.

• Legal pushback: Some compounding pharmacies are taking the FDA to court over this decision.

• Market Transformation: With compounded versions off the table, demand for brand-name meds could increase, impacting prices and access.

What this means for you: Pharmacies should prepare for changes in semaglutide product availability. Keep your patients in the loop about possible discontinuations and discuss alternative treatments as needed.

Want to learn more? Check out the full story here.

Pharmacy Trends

Measles alert in San Antonio: Time to Double Down on Vaccinations

A tourist in San Antonio may have exposed hundreds of thousands to measles, highlighting the crucial role pharmacies play in vaccination efforts.

Quick Doses:

• Outbreak specifics: Texas is facing its worst measles surge in over three decades, with 124 reported cases.

• Exposure hotspots: The infected visitor hit several popular San Antonio spots, including the river walk, raising widespread exposure concerns.

• Vaccine urgency: This incident highlights the need for higher vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks.

Why it matters: Pharmacies are at the frontline in public health. Ensuring vaccine availability, educating patients on immunization importance, and offering accessible vaccination services are key to preventing the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.

Want to learn more? Check out the full story here.

ShiftRx Announcement

We’ve moved into full-time roles, in addition to the PRN marketplace, to help you build out a reliable float pool. We have a careers hub featuring a job board, so if you’re a pharmacist or tech looking for your next career move—this is a must to check out. Get started here: https://www.shiftrx.io/pharmacy-professionals.

And if you’re managing pharmacy operations: post your open roles on our job board and get direct access to only pharmacists and technicians instead of spending time on Indeed or LinkedIn, sifting through tons of resumes. Get started building your pharmacy dream team here: https://www.shiftrx.io/healthcare-facilities.

🗞 Quick Scripts: Other Industry News

• Infinitus' AI Billboard Campaign Targets Big Pharma: Infinitus has launched a billboard campaign along New Jersey's Route 1 to promote AI adoption among pharmaceutical companies

• Trump Warns Big Pharma: Relocate Manufacturing to U.S. or Face Tariffs: President Donald Trump has threatened pharmaceutical companies with tariffs if they don't move their manufacturing operations back to the United States

• Big Pharma PACs Contribute to Sanders and Warren Campaigns: Political action committees associated with major pharmaceutical companies have made contributions to the campaigns of Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, both known for their critical stance on the industry

🌟Pharma Spotlight

Each week, we highlight pharmacy professionals and industry leaders who are making a real impact. This is our way of celebrating the work and dedication of professionals who drive pharmacy forward.

Daniel Marakhovsky, started his journey in the pharmacy world began when he was 17 years old. He started working at an independent pharmacy throughout college and graduate school. He graduated from Long Island University’s Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy in 2019. After working at several independent pharmacies across New York, he recently opened his own independent pharmacy (Pill Drop Pharmacy) in Brooklyn, New York.

What inspired you to pursue a career in pharmacy, and what do you find most rewarding about your work?

My sister inspired me to pursue a career in pharmacy, as she is also a pharmacist. What I love most about my career is achieving positive patient outcomes.

What’s one challenge in the pharmacy industry that you think more people should be aware of?

One challenge in the pharmacy industry that people should be aware of is that pharmacists do much more than just “put pills in a bag.”

What advice would you give to pharmacy professionals looking to navigate staffing shortages and workplace burnout?

Definitely hold on to your great employees and reward them when necessary. I’ve worked with numerous pharmacists and pharmacy-related workers, and great employees are not always replaceable. A strong staff and well-structured workplace can help prevent burnout.

That’s it for today’s fill!

Stay tuned for next week’s issue. If you enjoyed this, please share it with your pharmacy friends. Until then, keep filling those scripts 🫡

Doses and mimosas, ShiftRx team

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