Buzz Newsletter 12/4/25

CMS Makes Additions to Medicare Drug Lists

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the maximum fair price (MFP) for 15 medications, including Ozempic. The new pricing goes into effect January 1, 2027. These drugs are in addition to the 10 that go into effect this coming January 1, 2026. 

In their press release from last week, CMS says the changes will result in billions of savings for Medicare. The press release does not say how many billions. They did put together a nice infographic with the 15 drugs and the discounts here. 

Three drugs are leaving the MDPNP in 2027: Entresto, Stelara, and Xarelto, because they now have generic or biosimilar competition. 

Delays in Hep B Vaccine Increase Disease 

ACIP -- the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -- is expected to vote this week on delaying or even withdrawing the recommended infant Hepatitis B vaccine, which experts say could "needlessly endanger" infants. 

Instead of making babies safer, it could increase the number of children who become infected with Hepatitis B, which is a chronic, lifelong disease that can increase the chances of children developing liver disease. Since the adoption of the birth-dose vaccine, which has been proven safe in multiple studies, the rates of HBV infections has been almost eliminated. 

The New York Times has a thorough article on the specifics of some meeting agenda items, which to date have not been made clear. 

Living Well at 100 Means Lifting Well 

Pump iron, live longer. 

A new survey of centenarians from UnitedHealthcare says that a secret to aging well is to keep moving, including doing regular strength training at least once a week. The list of things to do includes movement, engaging the mind, and meditation along with a healthy diet. 

World AIDS Day 

Monday of this week was the 37^th observance of World AIDS day. As of this year, Georgia has the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the country. Please see the message below from the Department of Public Health on the implementation of HB 1028. 

From the Georgia Department of Public Health on November 24, 2026 - 

As you may recall, during the 2024 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 1028. This legislation allows the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health to issue a Standing Order for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This Standing Order may be used by Eligible Persons who may have been exposed to HIV as a prescription to obtain PEP medication for the prevention of HIV from a licensed Pharmacy. The Department has created a Standing Order, supporting documents, and training for pharmacists, which are now available on our website and can be found by following this link.

Fermenting Fruit Is As Old As Time 

We are not the only members of the animal species that enjoy a good tipple. Chimpanzees, through ingesting ripe and over-ripe fruit, can experience the equivalent of one to two drinks per day, if not more. Researchers believe that this means we weren't the inventors of alcohol intoxication, but rather the refiners of it. 

The wild chimpanzee diet can include consuming up to 14 grams of pure ethanol per day. 

Donate to the Foundation Today 

This past Tuesday was Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving thanks for our gifts by donating back to worthy causes. May we suggest a donation to the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation this year? 

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) arm of the Association, and supports science and education to advance the practice of pharmacy. Currently, the Foundation is rebuilding its scholarship program so that it can continue to support pharmacy students across all four schools of pharmacy in Georgia. 

Consider giving a one-time gift, or perhaps setting up a recurring monthly donation today.  
 

Moving Sale! 

The Georgia Pharmacy Association is relocating our office space in 2026, and will not need to take all of our office furniture with us to the new space. We have a number of quality pieces of office furniture for sale, including desk chairs, work stations, and filing cabinets. Best of all, the proceeds from the sale benefit The Foundation. 

Check out all of the furniture available on our website here. 

Memberships Expire 12/31 

It's time to renew your Georgia Pharmacy Association membership! 

Renewal notices have gone out, and so many members have responded and joined GPhA for another year. If you haven't gotten your notification or have any questions at all, let us know via email at info@gpha.org or by phone at 404-231-5074. In the meantime, check out our step-by-step renewal guide here.