I called expressscripts and BC/BS FEP mail order CVS caremark, I was told fentanyl patches required NO special cooling packs sending to central Fl. I questioned when my brand has a 6°F range 72°-78°? They insist that they are not required to be sent to keep the temperature. This is ridiculous as fentanyl is heat activated. My fear is these will be worthless when received. How can they get away with this knowing the range is so small and just barely manageable in a house never mind a mail truck or mailbox?
If you notice that most medications – even OTC’s – have a temp storage range requirement. Those storage requirements must be met by the manufacturer, wholesaler and pharmacy. Once a pharmacy hands off a prescription to a delivery service… they are not obligated to maintain those temperature storage requirements. Here is a recent post that addressed how ambient temperature can cause a medication to deteriorate.
How Does Temperature Affect Mail Order Medicines?
Those temperature are required by at least the FDA… I am not sure if the state board of pharmacy has the authority or the INTEREST in enforcing those requirements.
Filed under: General Problems
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