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8/14/19 as epoetin alfa (RETACRIT, PROCRIT, EPOGEN) Dose Rounding
August 15, 2019

From: "Adam Sawyer" <adam.sawyer@hhsys.org>

To: "Pharmacists" <grp_allpharm@hhsys.org>

Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 2:08:39 PM

Subject: epoetin alfa (RETACRIT, PROCRIT, EPOGEN) Dose Rounding

Pharmacists,

We are in the process of converting over to the bio-similar epoetin alfa-epbx (RETACRIT) . Approved by P&T as therapeutically equivalent to EPOGEN & PROCRIT in August 2018.

Dose Rounding:

The P&T Committee historically approved an automatic dose rounding policy for epoetin alfa products in adult patients to the nearest 2,000 units.

With an on-going conversion to RETACRIT, this rounding policy should be utilized more consistently.

Dosing calculators for prescribers have been updated to automatically round weight-based doses, however prescribers may still edit the order.

If you receive an order for an odd thousand unit increment, you may round up .

Examples:

7,000 units rounds to 8,000 units

15,000 units rounds to 16,000 units

Doses for pediatric patients should be rounded to the nearest 10 unit increment.

'This product is not divisible.' error in MedManager:

As we convert to RETACRIT, vial products will be utilized more readily.

For dosages not currently rounded to a 2,000 unit increment, you will be unable to select the appropriate dose from the product selection screen.

1. The 40,000 unit/mL product may be selected initially to temporarily bypass the error screen.
2. Please then modify the ordered dose to the nearest 2,000 unit increment.
3. Enter comments: "Dose adjustment per P&T" (,dosept)
4. Return to the product selection screen and select the corresponding product for the rounded dose.

Alternatively, you may reenter the epoetin alfa order with the rounded dosage and void the original order.

Please let me know if I can provide any further clarification. More information to come as IT changes are implemented.

-Adam

___________________________________________

Adam J. Sawyer, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

PGY-1 Residency Program Director

Huntsville Hospital, Department of Pharmacy

101 Sivley Road, Huntsville, AL 35801

Office: 256-265-4896