Tube feeding

Drug Labeling Updates - June 2025

jferrari — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 20:05:25 +0000

Drug Labeling Updates - June 2025 jferrari Fri, 07/18/2025 - 16:05

To help ensure patient safety, a Coram clinician may notify a patient and/or their physician of these labeling updates when appropriate.

BLINCYTO (BLINATUMOMAB) The Warnings and Precautions section of the Approved Drug Label (ADL) was updated regarding Neurological Toxicities, including Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome. This section now states that patients with Down Syndrome may have a higher risk of seizures with BLINCYTO therapy; consider seizure prophylaxis prior to initiation of BLINCYTO for these patients. The Medication guide was also updated stating these patients may be given anti-seizure medicine before starting BLINCYTO treatment.

OPTISON (ALBUMIN HUMAN) The Adverse Reactions, Clinical Trials Experience section of the Approved Drug Label (ADL) was updated regarding Pediatric Use, stating that the safety profile observed in pediatric patients from clinical study was consistent with the safety profile in adult patients. The Pediatric Use section was updated stating that the safety and effectiveness of OPTISON to opacify the left ventricle and improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial borders have been established in pediatric patients with suboptimal echocardiograms. Use of OPTISON in pediatric patients is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults and additional efficacy and safety data from a clinical study in 37 pediatric patients aged 9 to 17 years old.

TIGECYCLINE (TIGECYCLINE)

VIBRAMYCIN (DOXYCYCLINE)

MINOCIN (MINOCYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE)

The Warnings and Precautions section of the ADLs were updated to include Dermatologic Reactions. Each of these documents include details for fixed drug eruptions. Fixed drug eruptions have occurred with tetracyclines and medications with similar structure. Worsening severity upon subsequent administrations, including generalized bullous fixed drug eruption, has been observed. If severe skin reactions occur, discontinue the medication immediately and institute appropriate therapy. The Adverse Reactions section for Doxycycline only was further updated to include Psychiatric Reactions of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, insomnia, abnormal dreams, and hallucination.

_{Reference: Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC) (fda.gov)}

_{This article contains references to brand-name prescription drugs that are trademarks or registered trademarks of pharmaceutical manufacturers not affiliated with Coram.}

Patient-reported Positive Outcomes Upon Initiation of Teduglutide Therapy

jferrari — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 17:01:56 +0000

Patient-reported Positive Outcomes Upon Initiation of Teduglutide Therapy

Sarah Carter, RD, LDN, CNSC and Ruth Fisher, RDN, LD, CNSC

jferrari Tue, 02/04/2025 - 12:01

4436351_CRM_75-70257A_AspenConfPoster_2025 AV.pdf

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The purpose of this study is to provide details regarding patients receiving teduglutide and their perceived benefits to therapy.

Patient-reported Positive Outcomes Upon Initiation of Teduglutide Therapy

An update from your Coram team

jferrari — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 21:34:48 +0000

An update from your Coram team

October 2024

jferrari Tue, 10/29/2024 - 17:34

You may have heard that Coram is changing our infusion service offerings, and we want to provide information about what this means for patients and healthcare providers.

What’s changing

We are discontinuing infusion services for antibiotics, inotropic medications, and other acute home infusion therapies. Effective October 8, 2024, new patient referrals for these acute infusion treatments are no longer being accepted.

Coram will continue providing specialty pharmacy and infusion services for specialty medications, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and enteral nutrition. We will continue to accept new patient referrals for these services. Also, we will continue to provide infusion nursing services nationwide, offering our patients who receive specialty medication infusions and TPN with excellent care options in an infusion suite or in the comfort of their home.

Patients receiving specialty medications, TPN, and enteral nutrition will be managed by our three national hub pharmacies in Mendota Heights, MN, Malvern, PA and San Diego, CA, which can dispense to our patients across the country. We plan to close 29 regional pharmacies over the coming months.

Patients currently receiving care

Most patients currently receiving specialty medication infusion services, enteral nutrition or TPN services will continue their care with Coram. These services will be managed from our three pharmacy hubs, or by our sister company, CVS Specialty. There may be instances where we will need to transfer the patient to another service provider because of insurance requirements.

Most patients receiving acute infusion services are expected to finish their infusion therapy before pharmacies close, and in those instances, nothing will change for them. In some cases, acute infusion therapy patients may need to transfer to another service provider due to the length of their therapy.

In all instances where a pharmacy is closing or a patient’s care needs to be transitioned, we have a comprehensive patient safety plan in place. The local Coram pharmacy team will contact patients and their doctor directly in the next few weeks, and work to transition care to another provider in the area. Continuation of care is of utmost importance.

Questions

If you are a patient and have questions, please contact your local Coram pharmacy team or call the phone number listed on your Coram prescriptions.

If you are a prescriber and have questions, please call your Coram sales representative or your local Coram pharmacy team.

Coram can help your patients that need tube feeding therapy

akeidel — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:42:50 +0000

Coram can help your patients that need tube feeding therapy akeidel Wed, 10/11/2023 - 11:42

2432022_CORM_dkSF_75-60129A_EnteralQuickCheck_231012_7a WCAG.pdf

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Coram has access to comprehensive tube feeding therapy for patients across the lifespan. Our team of experienced specialists helps ensure that patients get around-the-clock tube feeding therapy at home.

Following this tube feeding check list when submitting referrals can help ensure patients get on tube feeding therapy faster.

To refer your patient:

Call 1-877-936-6874 | Fax: 1-800-693-7322 or 1-866-202-7319*

_{Coram CVS Specialty® Infusion Services.}

_{*Fax number available in CA, FL, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TX, VA and WV.}

Tube Feeding Quick Check

Formula supply shortages that are impacting home enteral nutrition

lsantos — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 18:42:02 +0000

Formula supply shortages that are impacting home enteral nutrition lsantos Mon, 03/27/2023 - 14:42

Leading manufacturers of enteral formula are experiencing supply chain challenges leading to shortages of certain enteral products. It’s likely that the industry will continue to experience shortages through late fall of 2023.

The availability of products has been shifting from day to day. Some of the large manufacturers provide weekly letters outlining the products experiencing supply challenges and anticipated dates of recovery. Actual product availability will vary across homecare providers and distributors and is subject to change.

How will Coram assist patients who need one of these products?

At Coram, we’re dedicated to supporting enteral consumers and their caregivers. Our collaborations with our suppliers and manufacturers help us to manage stock levels of items daily. If a supply shortage impacts the reliability and predictability of certain items, we will work with the patient, their caregivers and their health care provider to identify and offer other options. Coram will continue to track and obtain additional stock as it becomes available.

How can you help as the ordering provider?

Indicate “or equivalent” or “substitutions allowed” on the enteral prescription. This will give our dietitians more flexibility to offer nutritionally comparable products often without waiting for new prescriptions to help ensure patients get the enteral therapy they need without a delay.
Set expectations with your patients that the availability of their formula may vary over the coming months, and that they may be provided another formula that is nutritionally comparable.
If your patient has allergies or limits that keep them from safely using another product, please provide this information to the home enteral provider. Discuss an emergency backup plan for nutrition in the case of a formula shortage.

Share this FAQ resource with your patients to help address their questions about enteral formula product shortages.

Hypoallergenic free amino acid formula utilization and home enteral nutrition formula selection shifts related to supply chain shortages

jferrari — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 15:23:52 +0000

Hypoallergenic free amino acid formula utilization and home enteral nutrition formula selection shifts related to supply chain shortages jferrari Mon, 02/27/2023 - 10:23

Hypoallergenic FAA formula utilization and home enteral nutrition formula selection shifts-WCAG.pdf

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The purpose of this study was to determine what category was most prescribed and ordered as an alternative to free amino acid (FAA) formulas during a recent supply chain shortage, as well as determine what formula was used by those with the most common diagnoses seen.

Hypoallergenic free amino acid formula utilization and home enteral nutrition formula selection shifts related to supply chain shortages

Feed-and-flush pump set usage for enteral nutrition in homecare

jferrari — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 15:11:03 +0000

Feed-and-flush pump set usage for enteral nutrition in homecare jferrari Mon, 02/27/2023 - 10:11

Feed-and-flush pump set usage for enteral nutrition in homecare-WCAG.pdf

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The purpose of this study is to identify key characteristics of a homecare population for one national provider who use a dual pump bag set feed-and-flush system for enteral feeding and water flushing.

Feed-and-flush pump set usage for enteral nutrition in homecare

Caregivers Day is February 16th

jferrari — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 13:55:09 +0000

Caregivers Day is February 16th jferrari Wed, 02/15/2023 - 08:55

If you help take care of someone who’s sick, you’re a caregiver. And you’re not alone. About one in five Americans help care for a family member or friend with long-term health conditions.¹ Many caregivers also work full-time and have their own families who need them.

Caring for someone you love can be rewarding. But it’s hard to balance being a caregiver with work and family life. Over time, all of the juggling can add stress, affecting your emotional and physical well-being. So, take the time to take care of yourself, too. You have to rest and recharge if you expect to be at your best as a caregiver.

January 12 is National Pharmacist Day

akeidel — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 01:42:31 +0000

January 12 is National Pharmacist Day

Thanking pharmacists, including our own, for their hard work and dedication

akeidel Fri, 01/06/2023 - 20:42

Every day, Coram pharmacists play a critical role in delivering clinical excellence and improving outcomes for our infusion patients. The value they provide to our patients and colleagues is second to none.

They ensure patients understand their treatment plans, receive therapies safely and effectively, and continuously monitor and assess patient progress to ensure they stay on the course to wellness. The rapport our pharmacists build with physicians, health care providers, and care coordination teams improves the patient experience, helping place them on the road to improved health and renewed spirit.

We are thankful for our pharmacists' commitment, and for keeping patient care at the heart of all they do. They truly inspire trust and deliver on our promise to provide exceptional care.

Learn more about our pharmacists' dedication to quality

Making sense of financial support programs

lsantos — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:18:27 +0000

Making sense of financial support programs

Learn how copay assistance programs can help pay for your prescriptions

lsantos Mon, 10/03/2022 - 11:18

We know your treatment costs can add up. The good news is there are ways to help make them more affordable. One way is through Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs).

Make the most of Patient Assistance Programs

PAPs are offered through a pharmaceutical company or manufacturer (the company that makes your medications). PAPs are designed to cover some or all your prescription copay*. You’ll need to enroll in a PAP, and the pharmaceutical company or manufacturer will then decide if you qualify for the program based on things like:

If you have commercial insurance
If you use specialty products
How much you make in a year (in some cases)

Find out which PAP may be right for you. To identify the name of the manufacturer, look at the drug or company name listed on your medication, usually on the box or on the vial (bottle). Then, visit the manufacturer’s website to learn more about available PAP programs and how to apply.

If you qualify for a PAP program, the pharmaceutical company or manufacturer will let you know. Your pharmacy will get the copay assistance card information and then submit the copay claims to the manufacturer. This will happen until you reach the maximum value through the program.

Make plans if you have copay accumulators

Your insurance plan may have a copay accumulator program. This limits the manufacturer’s portion of prescription costs from applying to your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. So, if a manufacturer paid some or all your prescription copay through a qualifying PAP, what they paid may not count toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. You should confirm with your insurance company how a PAPs impacts you.

Nearly half of Americans are enrolled in a high deductible health plan. Your plan may have a separate pharmacy and medical deductible. This means you may have higher out-of-pocket costs before your deductible is met.

Knowing if your plan has a copay accumulator program helps you plan ahead. You can set a budget. Or research more financial support options through nonprofit organizations.

Be your own best advocate. Below are some helpful tips:

Read your insurance policy. Check if your plan limits or prevents what manufacturers cover from counting toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
Prepare your questions in advance. It is your coverage. You have a responsibility and right to know your policy. You may ask:
- Does my policy have a copay accumulator?
- What is my deductible and out-of-pocket amounts? Do I have more than one deductible?
- Do you apply any of the copay assistance payments received to my deductible or out-of-pocket?
Get answers. Contact your insurance or Human Resources representative if you have any questions.
Clarify the policy with copay accumulator programs as needed.

We’re also here to help. Let your Coram^®** pharmacy team know if you have applied for and are in a PAP program. This will allow us to support you better.

_{*Copayment, copay or coinsurance means the amount a plan member is required to pay for a prescription in accordance with a Plan, which may be a deductible, a percentage of the prescription price, a fixed amount or other charge, with the balance, if any, paid by a Plan.}

_{**Coram CVS Specialty® Infusion Services}

_{This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. Coram assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result.}

_{Coram does not operate the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by Coram.}