<p>The sponsors of the <a href="https://www.ipledgeprogram.com/AboutiPLEDGE.aspx">iPledge</a> Program have asked NACDS to help raise awareness among member companies that the iPledge system will be unavailable beginning at 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 17, 2014, until mid-morning the next day. The system will be undergoing planned maintenance.<br />
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The iPledge program is a computer-based risk management program designed to further the public health goal to eliminate fetal exposure to isotretinoin through a special restricted distribution program approved by the FDA.<br />
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Due to this outage, pharmacies will not be able to obtain Risk Management Authorizations (RMAs) for dispensing isotretinoin. Per the requirements of the iPLEDGE Program, pharmacies should not fill any prescriptions for isotretinoin unless they are able to successfully obtain an RMA.<br />
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The sponsors have indicated that prescribers and patients are being advised that they should fill their prescriptions prior to 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 17, 2014, or after the iPLEDGE system is available again.</p>
