Happy National Pharmacists Month!

Starting January 1, 2026, several major health insurance providers will implement significant changes to their formularies regarding medications indicated for weight loss. Certain medications, including Saxenda®, Wegovy®, and Zepbound®, will be removed from these formularies. Click "Read More" for a summary of insurance coverage changes updated as of October, as well as a quick guide for office staff and a patient-facing resource.

Significant changes to formularies for several major insurance plans will impact patient access to weight loss medications starting in January. In the remaining months of 2025, it is important to have a discussion with affected patients regarding what to expect when discontinuing GLP-1RAs, strategies to help them meet their weight loss goals, and potential alternative therapies. Click "Read More" for an overview of available evidence and recommendations with regard to weight regain, alternative medication options, cash pay options, and more.

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was allowed, for the first time, to negotiate drug prices directly with drug companies. CMS selected ten drugs paid for under Medicare Part D for the first cycle of negotiations and reached agreement on lower prices that will go into effect January 1, 2026. Click "Read More" for information on the drugs selected and the impacts for Medicare patients.

Anticholinergic polypharmacy significantly impacts older adults through both acute adverse effects and long-term consequences, including cognitive impairment, falls, urinary retention, functional decline, and increased dementia risk and mortality. Age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes make this population particularly vulnerable to anticholinergic burden. Click "Read More" for information regarding how this is being measured by Medicare and how to address these concerns with patients.

Bisphosphonates and Fracture Prevention Trial: Beyond Journal Club with NEJM Group

Which approach should be implemented to address concerns related to the use of multiple anticholinergic agents?

1. Regular medication reviews for anticholinergic burden, particularly during transitions of care
2. Engage in shared-decision making when deprescribing inappropriate anticholinergic medications
3. Consider safer alternatives and non-pharmacologic options
4. All of the above