ARRX - The Arkansas Pharmacist Summer 2016

SUMMER 2016 Award-Winning Quarterly Publication of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association

APA PRESIDENT

EDDIE GLOVER From Obstacle to Opportunity

APA CEO Pens Letter to the Editor About Rising Drug Costs

APA Staff Scott Pace, Pharm.D., J.D. Executive Vice President and CEO Scott@arrx.org

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John Vinson, Pharm.D. Vice President of Practice Innovation John@arrx.org Jordan Foster Director of Communications Jordan@arrx.org Susannah Fuquay Director of Membership & Meetings Susannah@arrx.org Celeste Reid Director of Administrative Services Celeste@arrx.org

Office E-mail Address Support@arrx.org Publisher: Scott Pace Editor: Jordan Foster Design: Gwen Canfield - Creative Instinct Arkansas Pharmacists Association 417 South Victory Street Little Rock, AR 72201-2923 Phone 501-372-5250 Fax 501-372-0546 AR•Rx The Arkansas Pharmacist © (ISSN 0199-3763) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, Inc. It is distributed to members as a regular service paid for through allocation of membership dues ($5.00). Non-members subscription rate is $30.00 annually. Periodical rate postage paid at Little Rock, AR 72201.

Current edition issue number 76. © 2016 Arkansas Pharmacists Association.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AR•Rx The Arkansas Pharmacist 417 South Victory Little Rock, AR 72201 Opinions and statements made by contributors, cartoonists or columnists do not necessarily reflect the attitude of the Association, nor is it responsible for them. All advertisements placed in this publication are subject to the approval of the APA Executive Committee. Visit us on the web at www.arrx.org.

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CONTENTS

Debra Wolfe Director of Government Affairs Debra@arrx.org

4 Inside APA: It’s Not Checkers

18 FEATURE: APA CEO Pens Letter to

5 From the President: APA Visits

20 UAMS & Harding University: 2016

the Editor About Rising Drug Costs

Anymore

Capitol Hill

6 Member Spotlight: Tony Hardage,

Director of Pharmacy, Baptist Health Medical Center - Arkadelphia

8 FEATURE: Eddie Glover, From

Obstacle to Opportunity

23 New Harding University Dean 24 AAHP: New Beginnings,

Rejuvenation, Reflection

25 2016 District Meetings

11 Legislator Profile: Representative

Deborah Ferguson - District 51

13 New Drugs: Keeping An Eye On

26 APA Consultants Academy:

Now This is Getting Serious: PPIs and Kidney Disease?

27 2016 APA Convention

the FDA

39 Staff Spotlight: John Vinson,

14 Rx and the Law: Certificates of

Pharm.D.

Insurance

40 2016 Calendar of Events

15 Safety Nets: Prescription

Abbreviations Could Cause Dangerous Mistakes

41 2016-201 New APA Board Members

16 Compliance Corner: Fraudulent and

Illegitimate Prescriptions

Review Presents Positive View of Market for Pharmacists

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Member Classfieds State Board Wins NABP Award

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS 2 7 7 12 17 23

Pace Alliance EPIC Pharmacies Retail Designs, Incorporated Pharmacists Mutual Save the Date: 2016 CPE in Paradise UAMS College of Pharmacy

36 Arkansas Pharmacy Support Group 37 2015 Recipients of the "Bowl of Hygeia" Award 40 The Law Offices of Darren O'Quinn 43 Pharmacy Quality Committment Back Cover: APA Honors Cardinal Health

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APA Board of Directors

INSIDE APA

2016 - 2017 Officers

INSIDE APA

President - Eddie Glover, P.D., Conway President-Elect - Lynn Crouse, Pharm.D., Eudora Vice President - Stephen Carroll, Pharm.D., Arkadelphia Past President - Brandon Cooper, Pharm.D., Jonesboro

It's Not Checkers Anymore

Area Representatives Area I (Northwest) Michael Butler, Pharm.D., Hot Springs Area II (Northeast) Darla York, P.D., Salem

Scott Pace, Pharm.D., J.D. Executive Vice President & CEO

Area III (Central) Clint Boone, Pharm.D., Little Rock

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Area IV (Southwest/Southeast) Dean Watts, P.D., DeWitt

District Presidents District 1 - Denise Clayton, P.D., Mayflower District 2 - Max Caldwell, P.D., Wynne District 3 - Dylan Jones, Pharm.D., Fayetteville District 4 - Betsy Tuberville, Pharm.D., Camden District 5 - James Bethea, Pharm.D., Stuttgart District 6 - Yanci Walker, Pharm.D., Russellville District 7 - Lacey Parker, Pharm.D., Centerton District 8 - Rodney Richmond, P.D., Searcy Academy of Consultant Pharmacists Anthony Hughes, P.D., Little Rock Academy of Compounding Pharmacists Becca Mitchell, Pharm.D., Greenbrier Arkansas Association of Health-System Pharmacists Kendrea Jones, Pharm.D., Little Rock

Ex-Officio APA Executive Vice President & CEO Scott Pace, Pharm.D., J.D., Little Rock Board of Health Member Gary Bass, Pharm.D., Little Rock AR State Board of Pharmacy Representative John Kirtley, Pharm.D., Little Rock UAMS College of Pharmacy Representative (Dean) Keith Olsen, Pharm.D., Little Rock

Harding College of Pharmacy Representative (Dean) Jeff Mercer, Pharm.D., Searcy Legal Counsel Harold Simpson, J.D., Little Rock Treasurer Richard Hanry, P.D., El Dorado UAMS COP Student Mary Elizabeth Bradley, Little Rock Harding COP Student Alyssa Stormes, Searcy

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Find the APA on Facebook, or visit our website at www.arrx.org

ne of the first games I remember learning to play as a kid growing up in Northeast Arkansas was checkers.

My grandmother enjoyed teaching me the rules and watching with pride as I learned how to strategically move my red or black chips across the board, trying to navigate the 64 squares of the checkerboard. I was focused on playing a move or two ahead, looking for opportunities to close in on her chips to set up a jump or, even better, to make her “king me.” It was a simple game, with simple rules. Sure, it took strategy to be successful, but it was easily mastered.

Providers of all types (e.g. hospitals, physicians, and pharmacists) are even beginning to take on financial risk for the care and outcome of their patients.

As I got older, I dabbled with chess. A game that on its surface, I surmised, must be just as easy as checkers to master. After all, it is a game played on the same 64 squares as checkers.

How much different could the game possibly be? For those of you who have played chess, you know the only similarity between it and checkers is that the board is the same. There are new pieces, new strategy, new ways to move, and a new objective - to obtain a “checkmate.” Simply put, chess is the ultimate game of strategy.

2016 is my 22nd year working within pharmacy, and during those two plus decades, I’ve seen significant change within pharmacy in both the health

system and community settings. Each of our journeys within the profession has led us to new and often unexpected moves to make. This is where pharmacy, and healthcare as a whole, is today.

It may appear that we are playing the same game, but in fact, we aren’t at all.

The rules are changing, the way we get paid is changing, and the ability for us to contribute within the healthcare team is changing.

Change is hard, but it is also inevitable.

Our healthcare system is changing rapidly from a system of paying for individual services that are performed without regard to the end result on the patient’s overall health (fee for service or “checkers”), to a system where the most money will be paid when the most optimal patient outcome is obtained (pay for performance or “chess”).

Further, providers of all types (e.g. hospitals, physicians, and pharmacists) are even beginning to take on financial risk for the care and outcome of their patients.

Our collective challenge in each of our practice settings is to be positioned to be a part of the changing healthcare model and to demand that the medication experts are squarely in the middle of any drug therapy and are paid fairly for the value that we contribute to the care of the patient. Medications are great tools to treat disease, but without the accompanying medication expertise of the pharmacist, they are simply a nail without a hammer.

Let’s all remember, the game is changing. The moves that worked in checkers, won’t get us far in chess. It is time to learn the new game, adjust our strategy, and position ourselves within the new healthcare model. §

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THE ARKANSAS PHARMACIST

FROM THE PRESIDENT

FROM THE PRESIDENT

APA Visits Capitol Hill

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hat an exciting year we have had so far! I am thankful to have had the opportunity to spend time on Capitol Hill a couple of times this Spring and Summer.

In May, I was on the Hill with the National Community Pharmacist Association, along with other members of APA, speaking to our Congressmen and Senators about issues our Arkansas pharmacists are currently facing.

Eddie Glover, PD Thousands of Arkansans lack President adequate access to health care due to practitioner shortage in their communities. Currently, 73 of the 75 counties in Arkansas are classified as medically underserved areas. As we all know, pharmacists can play an even greater role in the delivery of healthcare services throughout our state. Establishment of provider status would enable pharmacists to more fully utilize our education, training, and expertise.

In June, I was on The Hill with the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists discussing current compounding Pharmacists can provide services in the community setting issues with our Congressmen and Senators. We have through the local pharmacies and hospitals, making them strong leaders representing even more integrated into the Arkansas on The Hill. All of healthcare team. However, Establishment of provider status would enable the offices were very engaged the lack of pharmacist and want to do all they can recognition as a provider pharmacists to more fully utilize our education, to ensure Arkansans have

by Medicare limits payment training, and expertise. access to their medications for services provided by and care through the service pharmacists, thereby of Arkansas pharmacists. limiting patients’ access to Members of APA discussed several bills with our leaders in these essential services. This legislation is consistent with May, including S. 314 and H.R. 592, Provider Status Bills. precedents established by the Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and These are companion bills in both the House and the Senate Physicians’ Assistants (PAs) provider status efforts. that would recognize pharmacists as providers under the Medicare Part B program. If enacted, pharmacists would be I encourage the Arkansas pharmacists to reach out to their able to perform services for our patients and be reimbursed.

Congressman and our Senators while they are in their home Both bills have bipartisan support. offices during the summer and fall recesses. They would love to hear from you! §

APA delegation visits Senator Tom Cotton in Washington, DC.

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APA delegation meets with Senator John Boozman at his Washington office.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Tony Hardage, Pharm.D. Director of Pharmacy, Baptist Health Medical Center Arkadelphia

Pharmacy school and graduation year: UAMS College of Pharmacy - 1994

and we must be ready to seize the opportunities that will be presented.

Years in business/years teaching: 22 years

Recent reads: Beyond Basketball: Coach K's Keywords for

Favorite part of the job and why: My favorite part of the

job is the people. I have been blessed to work with some great people throughout my career, and I have enjoyed being a part of a great health care team. Also the patients and their families. It is very rewarding to be able to make a difference in people’s lives.

Least favorite part of the job and why: I can honestly say

that I enjoy being a hospital pharmacist, especially at Baptist Health. It is a great place to work and it provides exciting opportunities and challenges every day.

What do you think will be the biggest challenges for pharmacists in the next 5 years? I think the one of the

Success, The Bible

Fun activities/hobbies: I enjoy exercising and trying to stay

fit, sports, golf, music and spending time with my family and friends.

Ideal dinner guests: Benjamin Franklin, a very wise and intelligent man, and Don Knotts, one of the funniest, best character actors I have ever seen.

If not a pharmacist then…: most likely a high school math and science teacher. That is what I did for 3 years before I went back to school to pursue my pharmacy education. §

biggest challenges for pharmacists will be to continue to grow the profession and adapt as healthcare changes.

Hopefully, provider status will happen soon for pharmacists,

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THE ARKANSAS PHARMACIST

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From Obstacle to Opportunity EDDIE GLOVER, P.D., CEO, US Compounding

By Jordan Foster

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WE HAVE TO KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, FOR EVERY NEGATIVE THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY SOMEWHERE. - Eddie Glover

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or any other person, those words may sound like a platitude, but Eddie Glover lends an authenticity to the idea that there actually is a silver lining to every dark cloud. Maybe it’s his personality that dictates this infectious optimism, or maybe it’s the lessons he’s learned during a tumultuous year for his business. The result, however, is the same: Eddie is ready to use his next year as Arkansas Pharmacists Association President to spread his enthusiasm and positive attitude to bring change in a way that will strengthen the profession of pharmacy in Arkansas, allowing him to give back to a profession that has given him so much.

Growing up in Faulkner County, Eddie was unsure of his career path but knew he wanted to be in the medical field, even though he couldn’t quite narrow down a practice. “I

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was always one of those people that didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” Eddie says, “I knew I wanted something in the medical field, so I started my general education requirements at UCA and I had a really good friend that had relatives that were involved in pharmacy. He’s the one that pushed me toward pharmacy, even though I really didn’t know much about the profession at all. I just knew I needed to have a career being around people.” His decision to pursue pharmacy led him to a degree from the University of Oklahoma. “I had always lived in Faulkner County, I’d never really been anywhere else. I kind of wanted to go somewhere else for a while.”

After graduating, Eddie returned to Arkansas to start his career as a staff pharmacist at Law’s Drug in Fort Smith, but it wasn’t long before he felt Faulkner County pulling him back. He returned to Conway to work for American Drugs and soon embraced the business side of his personality by investing in a partnership of Perry County Food & Drug.

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THE ARKANSAS PHARMACIST

NEW APA PRESIDENT EDDIE GLOVER, PD

Eddie continued working there as a pharmacist for four years before selling his interest in the partnership and moving on to work as a pharmacist at Fred’s. Although Eddie enjoyed working as a pharmacist, he missed the business side of owning a pharmacy and soon teamed up with partners to purchase Clinton Thriftway Pharmacy, Marshall Medic Pharmacy, Rod’s Pharmacy, and College Pharmacy. During this time, Eddie decided to get involved with pharmaceutical compounding, joining Professional Compounding Centers of America and receiving all the training needed to start compounding at his pharmacies in Marshall and Clinton. Eddie then took his compounding knowledge and experience to College Pharmacy in Conway, forming a hybrid store that filled traditional prescriptions and compounded.

By 2005, the compounding side of his businesses had seen immense growth and the time had come to separate the areas of his practice so that compounding could stand on its own. “We moved all the compounding into a new building and started US Compounding. In 2005, I had five employees. In 2015, I had 120. I could never have imagined that the business would expand as rapidly as it did. I was always looking for something where I could be a problem-solver and I found my focus in compounding.”

As APA President for the 2016-2017 term, Eddie is bringing his optimism and drive to a changing healthcare landscape. Managed care, PBMs, reimbursement rates – pharmacists are facing threats to their livelihood and to the future of the profession. “I think the most important issue is taking on an attitude of change,” Eddie says. “It’s a changing profession and it’s never changed at the pace it’s changing at now. There’s no reason for us to be left out. Things aren’t going to be the same as they were in 1976 when I got my license. We must have an attitude of change and vision to see what pharmacy needs to be and can be and what we want it to be. We are too valuable.

Pharmacists have to stand up for themselves and make their voices heard.”

Although the landscape is shifting, Eddie’s confidence and enthusiasm for the profession are excellent qualities to lead the APA for the next year. “Since I began my career, I’ve witnessed the birth of third parties and PBMs. I’ve seen technology revolutionize the way we do our jobs.

The volume of prescriptions has grown and the number of medications has changed so much, but the opportunities have grown tremendously. I think there’s more opportunity today in the profession than there ever has been. I’ve been a pharmacist for 40 years and not one day in that 40-year period have I been without a job.”

Eddie officially took the oath of the office of President at the March 2016 Board of Directors meeting after 2015-

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"I truly do enjoy working with my dad. I enjoy being part of a company with a strong family legacy and getting to learn not just from my dad's in-depth knowledge of medicine but also from his extensive background in business. I'm proud to be able to work not for my dad, but with him.”

- Sam Glover, Vice President of Sales, US Compounding

“I am so blessed to have Eddie Glover as an amazing father and fantastic mentor! By nature he is a teacher. Therefore, growing up he always taught my brother and I how to show others respect and how to care for others. He also led by example. He showed us what it meant to have good customer service in the pharmacy.

I will never forget a time when we had closed the pharmacy on a Saturday afternoon and I answered the phone after closing. I proceeded to tell the customer over the phone “Sorry, we are closed”.

When I hung up the phone, I got a lecture that I will never forget on putting the customer first. My Dad told me if I ever answer the phone again after closing I would not say “Sorry we are closed”, I would say “We will wait for you to come pick up your prescription.” I am very thankful for the lessons he taught me then and continues to teach me now. “ - Kristen Riddle, President, US Compounding Pharmacy

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APA PRESIDENT EDDIE GLOVER, PD

2016 President John Vinson resigned from the position to join the APA staff. “APA is an incredible professional organization and any great profession has to have good leadership by a professional organization to handle so many aspects, the political aspect, the training aspect, to help us fight the battles. When I decided to run for an APA office, I was already late in my career. Most people do this at an earlier part of their career, but I didn’t have the time or opportunity earlier. I just knew I wanted to be a bigger part of this profession, I really believe that it’s our obligation, that God has blessed us with a great occupation and we need to be good stewards.”

Eddie’s positive attitude has served him well throughout his career, but never more so than Fall 2015 when US Compounding faced unexpected challenges implementing some of the requirements of the Drug Quality & Security Act. FDA has yet to finalize guidance on what is required for 503B Outsourcing Facilities, like US Compounding, and often the only way to discern what FDA deems "acceptable" is through the inspection process. As evidence of its commitment to patient safety and access to quality compounds, USC worked with the FDA to implement facility and process improvements. That process resulted in USC's sterile department not being in operation for several months. “We could have easily given up but we didn’t. The employees were so dedicated and sacrificed and it was imperative that we kept a positive attitude to keep the company. We explored a lot of options and it was a situation where the leaders and the employees had to have an attitude of ‘we won’t quit and we will make this work.’ I must say I never once had the attitude that it wouldn’t work. We would do what we had to do to make it work so that we can continue to provide patients with the critical medications they need."

Earlier this year, US Compounding became a wholly-owned subsidiary of San Diego-based Adamis Pharmaceuticals. The move allowed US Compounding to continue operating in Conway and compounding prescription medication for patients throughout the country. “As we look back, one of the good things about going through this crisis is that there is no doubt it

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APA CEO Scott Pace presents Eddie with the NCPA Pharmacy Leadership Award.

Eddie with two of his grandchildren, Kate and Caroline.

has made us a better company. We had an overwhelming amount of employees that stayed with us and stayed dedicated. We all got a PhD in the school of hard knocks and we plan on making this new chapter in the life of the company work.”

Triumph through tribulation relies on several factors: hard work, optimism, and a drive to never quit. APA President Eddie Glover personifies that idea with his positive attitude and dedication to the profession. After 40 years in pharmacy, he stands tall as a successful business owner and an established leader in the Arkansas pharmacy community. Now, as APA President, he will lead the Arkansas Pharmacists Association with that same optimism and enthusiasm, ensuring a successful and productive year that will progress the profession of pharmacy. §

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THE ARKANSAS PHARMACIST

District & Counties Represented: 51, Crittenden (Marion and West Memphis)

Years in Office: 3, I am in the second year of my second term and unopposed for a third term.

Occupation: Retired dentist (I had my own practice for 25

years and taught at USC, University of Southern California Dental School). I am currently the Chief Financial Officer for Medical Center Properties.

Your hometown pharmacist: Bill Slaughter, City Drug Store, and Johnny Burns, Marion Discount Pharmacy. There are also several pharmacists who work at Walgreens, Walmart, Fred’s and hospitals who are active members of our community.

Most important lesson learned as a legislator: I have

this Harry Truman quote on my laptop, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

Sometimes it is better to let another legislator carry your bill.

Also, don't burn bridges! Always speak as it the other person is in the room. You’re going to disagree and become upset and sometimes even dislike another legislator. But remember that today’s adversary may be tomorrow’s ally, so learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Don’t react emotionally or in anger to something someone has said. The things you say in these cases will come back to haunt you. You might create an unnecessary enemy, one thing you don’t need in the legislature. People don’t have to agree with you, but they need to respect you and know you are honest and reliable.

Most admired politician: My mother-in-law, Joyce

Ferguson McCuiston, who was Mayor of West Memphis for eight years in the 1970’s. She was the first female mayor of a first class city in Arkansas. She raised four children and was the National President of Junior Auxiliary and cared deeply about our community. Before she was mayor, she and Junior Auxiliary rallied support to have West Memphis fluoridate our water. As a dentist, I saw the benefits of this for our children compared to the high cavity index of children in the small towns around West Memphis. Her visionary leadership was responsible for the building of the West Memphis City Hall, the Civic Auditorium, the City Shop, a fire station, and the Port of West Memphis. Her testimony before the FERC lead to a $26M bond issue and a negotiated wholesale customer rate through our city owned utility that saves us 5% on utility bills.

Advice for pharmacists about the political process and working with the AR Legislature: Realize that the world has changed drastically over the last 10 years. Government is an integral part of the business of pharmacy. The decisions that are made both federally and at the state level will impact your practice. Most healthcare professionals are surprised to

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LEGISLATOR PROFILE

Representative Deborah Ferguson DISTRICT 51

learn that you practice at the will of the legislature, not the Pharmacy Board. Try to get to know your representatives personally. Encourage people to run who are informed about issues that you care about. Run for office yourself if you can find the time or help someone who is running. These relationships are important. When you are asked to contact your representative by your association be sure to call or email. Make the email short and to the point and don't just copy and paste an email. Nothing is more meaningful than an email from a constituent and especially one who helped you get elected.

Your fantasy political gathering would include: I would

just have a nice women’s brunch that included: Angela Merkel, Christine Lagarde, Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, Valerie Jarrett, Janet Yellen, and Queen Elizabeth.

Hobbies: I don’t have much time for hobbies these days, but I thoroughly enjoy attending events and seeing my friends at home. I enjoy traveling and spending time at the lake with my family. I have a 9 month old grandson, so most of my free time is spent with him. He likes to stroll and I like to walk so it works for both of us. I love to cook and enjoy having friends over to eat. In the fall, we enjoy going to football games. I also enjoy sewing and small construction projects. §

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THE ARKANSAS PHARMACIST

Keeping an Eye on the FDA This column, presented by the Harding University College of Pharmacy, aims to briefly highlight information on new molecular or biological entities, new indications, or significant new dosage forms recently approved by the FDA.

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he pace picked-up in the 2nd quarter with approval of 13 new molecular/biological entities, one new device, and several new dosage forms. In the ebb-and-flow of things the FDA also announced withdrawal from the market two niacin/statin combination products (Advicor® and Simcor®) used to treat hypercholesterolemia, citing reasons of safety and effectiveness.

The antidepressant Brintellix was changed to Trintellix to decrease the risk of name confusion with Brilinta®.

Chronic Care: Nuplazid™ (pimavanserin) was granted

breakthrough therapy designation and priority review for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease-related hallucinations and delusions. Cerêve™ Sleep System became the first and only device cleared to treat insomnia through reduced latency to stage 1 and 2 sleep by gently cooling the forehead. Opioids remained in the headlines with the FDA unveiling new class-wide safety labeling changes for immediate-release opioids, and amid controversy the CDC releasing their Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. Three new opioid formulations were approved including Xtampza™ER (oxycodone, extended-release capsule) and Vantrela ER (hydrocodone, extended-release tablet) for chronic pain, and Probuphine® (buprenorphine), a 6-month implant for maintenance of opioid dependence.

Hematology/Oncology: Two diagnostic imaging agents were

approved for use with PET scan imaging. Axumin (fluciclovine F 18) was approved to help detect recurrent prostate cancer, and through priority review Netspot was designated as an orphan drug as the first kit for the preparation of gallium Ga 68 dotatate for detecting rare neuroendocrine tumors. Tecentriq™ (atezolizumab) received accelerated priority review approval with breakthrough therapy designation as the first-in-class PD-L1 inhibitor for treating urothelial carcinoma. Venclexta™ (venetoclax) also received accelerated priority review approval with breakthrough therapy designation as an orphan drug targeted to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Although not an oncologic agent, Defitelio® (defibrotide) was given priority review as an orphan drug to treat the rare but frequently fatal hepatic WWW.ARRX.ORG

veno-occlusive disease in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Specialty Products: An eclectic array of niche drugs have been

recently approved. Anthim® (obiltoxaximab), approved under the FDA’s “animal efficacy rule” which is reserved for approval of biological products when human efficacy studies are not ethical or feasible, is for the prophylaxis and treatment of inhalational anthrax. Vaxchora™ (cholera vaccine) received a tropical disease priority review voucher as the first vaccine in the U.S. for the prevention of cholera. Cinqair® (reslizumab) was approved as an anti-eosinophil maintenance drug for severe asthma in adults. Zinbryta™ (daclizumab), available only through a limiteddistribution REMS program, was approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Taltz® (ixekizumab) is for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and requires patients to receive a Medication Guide. Kovaltry® (Factor VIII, recombinant) received a nod to treat hemophilia A, the most common type of hemophilia. Ocaliva™ (obeticholic acid) was granted an accelerated review as an orphan drug to treat primary biliary cholangitis.

New Dosage Forms: Significant new dosage forms that

were approved this quarter include: Bevespi Aerosphere™ (glycopyrrolate/formoterol, inhalation aerosol) for COPD; Descovy® (emtricitabine/tenofovir/alafenamide, tablet) for HIV1 infection; Cabometyx™ (cabozantinib, tablet) for advanced renal cell carcinoma; Inflectra™ (infliximab-dyyb, injection) as a biosimilar to Remicade; Jentadueto®XR (linagliptin/ metformin, extended-release tablet) for type 2 diabetes; Otovel (ciprofloxacin/fluocinolone, otic solution) for acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes; Photrexa® (riboflavin 5’-phosphate, ophthalmic solution) for progressive keratoconus. §

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Certificates of Insurance Wrongful Conduct Rule This series, Pharmacy and the Law, is presented by Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company and your State Pharmacy Association through Pharmacy Marketing Group, Inc., a company dedicated to providing quality products and services to the pharmacy community.

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oan is leasing a new building for her expanding pharmacy practice. As part of her lease, she must provide a certificate of insurance to her landlord. The landlord is insisting on a number of provisions that must be included on the certificate.

However, her insurance company is unwilling to provide the certificate as required by the landlord. Joan is unhappy and stressed at being caught in the middle of this tug of war.

A certificate of insurance is a document issued by an insurance company that provides evidence of property and/ or casualty insurance coverage. This certificate is evidence for Joan’s landlord that she has coverage on her property and on other items required under the lease. The trend has been that landlords, vendors, customers, and others who have a contractual relationship with the insured business want additional provisions included on the certificate. Examples of these provisions include longer notice periods for policy cancellation, statement that coverage can’t be voided by the insured’s actions, or statements that the policy coverage meets the requirements of the contract.

This is where the tug of war begins. The certificate is only evidence that insurance coverage exists. It is not an insurance policy. The certificate cannot change the policy or guarantee compliance with a contract. At least 16 states have specific laws that do not allow the insurance companies to add these sorts of provisions to the certificate. Numerous other states have implemented this prohibition through issuance of bulletins by the insurance commissioner. Here are two examples.

Indiana’s law became effective in 2013. The law specifically states that a certificate does not amend, extend or alter the coverage provided by the policy referenced. It also states that the certificate cannot grants rights to a person that are not contained in the policy, such as an extended notice period.

Massachusetts has a very similar law that was passed in 2015. In addition to what Indiana’s law says, Massachusetts also says that the certificate shall not be construed as an insurance policy. Both states’ laws provide that it is a violation of the law to knowingly prepare, issue, request or require the issuance of a certificate contrary to the law. In both states, the insurance commissioner can enforce the law with a cease and desist order and the imposition of a fine (up to $500 in Massachusetts and up to $1,000 in Indiana).

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In many states, the certificate of insurance is a filed form. This means that the insurance company must have the certificate form filed with and approved by the Department of Insurance prior to using it. In these states, the insurance company is not allowed to deviate from the state-approved certificate.

These laws and regulations are what put Joan in the middle of the tug of war. The landlord or other party is trying to modify the insurance policy issued to Joan through changes on the certificate. The policies themselves are also state-approved forms and cannot be changed arbitrarily. That may be why they are attempting to make the changes via the certificate.

That is why Joan’s insurance company is reluctant to change the policy or the certificate of insurance. In many jurisdictions, it is a violation of the law for the insurance company to do so. In the states with laws specifically addressing certificates, Joan or the landlord could also be in violation of the law and fined accordingly for asking or requiring that the changes be made. In these situations, the insurance company is not just trying to be difficult. They are trying to comply with the law.

You should ask your insurance company for an explanation as to why the requested changes can’t be made. This can then be passed on to the landlord or other requesting party. § ________________________________________________________________ 1 2

Ind. Code Section 27-1-42.

Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 175L.

© Don R. McGuire Jr., R.Ph., J.D., is General Counsel, Senior Vice President, Risk Management & Compliance at Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company.

This article discusses general principles of law and risk management.

It is not intended as legal advice. Pharmacists should consult their own attorneys and insurance companies for specific advice. Pharmacists should be familiar with policies and procedures of their employers and insurance companies, and act accordingly.

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Prescription Abbreviations Could Cause Dangerous Mistakes Welcome to another issue of Safety Nets. This issue of Safety Nets highlights the potential hazards associated with E-prescriptions. Thank you for your continued support of this column.

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pharmacy technician in Central Arkansas received the original, handwritten prescription illustrated in Figure One. The prescription was written by a veterinarian for a dog diagnosed with a seizure disorder. The technician entered the prescription information into the pharmacy computer system as phenobarbital 30 mg tablets, quantity 30, with directions to the patient of "one-half to one tablet four times a day."

The same technician filled the prescription and placed it in line for pharmacist verification. The pharmacist verified the prescription was correctly filled and placed it in the Figure One patient will-call bin.

Later that day, the dog's owner arrived at the pharmacy to pick up the prescription. During the counseling session, the pharmacist instructed the owner to administer the phenobarbital dose to the dog four times daily.

The surprised owner said it was her understanding the dog was to receive phenobarbital once daily. The pharmacist re-examined the prescription and once again interpreted the medication dosing interval as four times daily. The dog's owner was adamant the veterinarian had verbally instructed her to administer the dose once daily.

After this, the pharmacist decided to call the veterinarian to verify the dosing interval. After listening to the pharmacist's concerns, the veterinarian stated he had, in fact, prescribed phenobarbital at a dosing interval of once daily. He went on to explain he had written the prescription abbreviation "s.i.d." not "q.i.d.". The pharmacist stated she had never heard of the abbreviation "s.i.d.". The veterinarian said "s.i.d." meant once daily and then apologized for using this seldom used prescription abbreviation. After this, the prescription was correctly filled and the patient's owner appropriately counseled.

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The prescription in this case is unique in that the prescriber wrote the rarely used Latin abbreviation "s.i.d." which stands for "semel in die" or "once per day". Its use in prescription writing is particularly hazardous because the abbreviation is virtually unknown outside the practice of veterinary medicine.

Its persistence in veterinary medicine is puzzling, given its use in medical practice has all but disappeared.

The pharmacist in this case was unfamiliar with "s.i.d." and initially interpreted the abbreviation as the more familiar "q.i.d." or four times daily. If her initial interpretation had gone undetected, the medication would have left the pharmacy with a prescription label instructing the patient to receive a four-fold phenobarbital overdose. People trust the information contained on their prescription medication labels. This could have resulted in the dog's owner questioning her understanding of the veterinarian's verbal instructions. If this occurred - and the phenobarbital had been administered four times daily - the dog could have been harmed.

The pharmacist in this case is to be commended for sharing this interesting case with our readers. She is also to be commended for interacting with the patient's owner during Board of Pharmacy required patient counseling. It was here the incorrect dosing interval - which would have resulted in a four-fold phenobarbital overdose - was detected. This case also illustrates the potential hazards associated with prescription abbreviations, especially archaic ones like "s.i.d.� Today's practitioners should strive to minimize the use of all abbreviations in their practice. In the interest of patient safety, words should be completely written - never abbreviated. §

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Fraudulent and Illegitimate Prescriptions Wrongful Conduct Rule

I

n previous issues, we have examined different types of controls and policies that will help keep your pharmacy free of diversion. Most of those tips and suggestions focused on preventing and detecting in-house diversion by employees.

In this edition, we will take a closer look at how to identify and manage diversion by customers using fraudulent prescriptions or by prescribers who issue prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose.

As always, developing a policy and procedure and training your employees on how to properly handle suspected fraud should be your first step. But what should be in your policy?

The number one way to prevent illegitimate prescriptions from being filled at your pharmacy is a close assessment of the prescription itself. The DEA suggests that any of the following characteristics are a red flag that warrant further investigation before dispensing the prescription: • An unfamiliar prescriber • A prescription that looks like it may have been altered or copied • A prescription that is unusually legible • Quantities or instructions that are different than usual medical practice • Different colored inks or different handwriting • No abbreviations are used • A familiar prescriber, but unfamiliar handwriting (someone may have stolen the prescription pad) • A familiar prescriber’s name, but different phone number or address The next step is an objective assessment of any potential red flags about the patient or the prescriber. In its manual for pharmacists, the DEA suggests considering the following as warning signs: • The prescriber writes significantly more prescriptions (or in larger quantities) compared to other practitioners in the area.

• The patient appears to be returning too frequently. A prescription which should last for a month in legitimate use is being refilled on a biweekly, weekly or even a daily basis.

• The prescriber writes prescriptions for antagonistic drugs, such as depressants and stimulants, at the same time. Drug abusers often request prescriptions for "uppers and downers" at the same time.

• The patient presents prescriptions written in the names of other people.

• A number of people appear simultaneously, or within a short time, all bearing similar prescriptions from the same physician.

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• People who are not regular patrons or residents of the community, show up with prescriptions from the same physician.

The full DEA guide to prescription fraud may be accessed at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/manuals/pharm2/ appendix/appdx_d.htm.

If any of the above assessments reveal a possibly fraudulent prescription, your next step should be to check the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (APMP) database records on the patient and/or the prescriber, at http://www. arkansaspmp.com/. If you don’t yet have an account, you can initiate setting one up at http://www.arkansaspmp.com/ practitioner-/-pharmacist/.

Through the PMP check, you can monitor the following red flags for a patient’s history: • Using multiple prescribers for controlled drugs • Same controlled drug prescriptions consecutively written by different prescribers • Multiple pharmacies • Prescribers from another city or state If any of the above assessments raise concern about the legitimacy of the prescription, you should contact the prescriber’s office directly to confirm the prescription, the diagnosis, and that the prescription is within the prescriber’s scope of practice.

Finally, what do you do if you have determined that a prescription is a fraud? You should not fill it. If you believe the prescription has been forged, you should also contact your local law enforcement immediately and keep the hard copy there. It is also a good practice to contact law enforcement proactively to seek advice on how they would like this situation to be managed—your local agency may have additional requests for more effective prosecution of this crime.

In the next issue, we will answer some of the readers’ legal questions surrounding the day to day practice of a pharmacist. § ________________________________________________________

About the author: Erika Gee represents clients in government relations, regulatory and compliance matters at Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP. She previously served as general counsel to the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy for 6-1/2 years and as Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy Attorney General for Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. She uses her experience as general counsel for state agencies and licensing boards to assist clients to resolve regulatory and disciplinary disputes with state government.

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APA CEO Pens Letter to the Editor About Rising Drug Costs

By APA Executive Vice President and CEO Scott Pace, Pharm.D., J.D.

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APA CEO PENS LETTER TO THE EDITOR ABOUT RISING DRUG COSTS

The following article appeared as a letter to the editor in the July 22, 2016 issue of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

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he July 1st article entitled “Arkansas Works tab put at $300M more” cited the “rising cost of prescription drugs” as the primary reason for the increase in the estimated cost of the program. The average person reading the article might misconstrue that the “rising cost of prescription drugs” implied that the pharmacists and pharmacies are being paid too much for their services. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Pharmacists’ reimbursements for medications have been ratcheted down month after month, year after year, by the benefits middlemen that force take it or leave it contracts in the prescription drug marketplace. These reductions in reimbursement impact both locally-owned pharmacies and large chain pharmacies in the same way. Last Fall, one of the nation’s largest chain pharmacy retailers even cited a decline in pharmacy reimbursements as a major reason for a decline in their overall earnings.

So this begs the question, what is the cause of the prescription medication price increases if the pharmacists’ reimbursements continue to be decreased?

The primary reason for the increase is the pharmaceutical manufacturers of both brand and generic medications constantly raising prices of medications. For example, the cost for the average pharmacy to purchase a vial of Novolog, a popularly prescribed brand name insulin, has gone up in price from $129 per vial in October 2012 to $247 per vial today (based upon data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)).

Many generic medications have taken large jumps in price over the same period of time too. The cost for the average pharmacy to purchase 20 tablets of doxycycline hyclate 100mg tablets, a popularly prescribed antibiotic, has gone from $1.20 in October 2012 to $17.20 today.

Specialty medications, such as the newer medications to treat Hepatitis C can cost upwards of $90,000 for a 90-day course of therapy! These specialty medications represent 35% of the total dollars spent on prescription medications today, yet they are less than 5% of the total prescriptions dispensed.

The second reason for the increase in medication expense is less obvious, but it is a very important consideration. It is medication adherence. Medication adherence is when

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patients fill and take their medications for chronic illnesses in correct dosages and as prescribed. We want this to happen.

For example, as a healthcare system we want patients who have diabetes to take their medications as prescribed.

For this reason, when evaluating prescription medication expenditures, you cannot just simply scrutinize the price and ignore the bigger picture. Healthcare payers have to look at their expenditures on prescription medications as investments in preventing costlier care down the road. For example, every additional $1 spent on diabetes medications helps save $7 on other services from diabetes related complications!

Pharmacists, the healthcare system’s medication experts, are uniquely placed within the system to help with both of these issues of high drug prices and keeping patients adherent to their medication. First, pharmacists are the only healthcare professionals who understand both the therapeutics and economics of prescription medications. This means that healthcare payers that are willing to financially incentivize pharmacists to work with doctors and patients to use medications that are clinically effective, but more financially affordable can help save money for the entire healthcare system.

Additionally, pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals. The average Medicaid patient visits their local pharmacist 35 times each year! That is 35 opportunities for face-to-face encounters to encourage, educate and involve the patient in the active management of their health and well-being. In Arkansas, this face-to-face interaction and appointment-based medication synchronization has dramatically increased medication adherence rates, which we know will save healthcare dollars. §

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UAMS AND HARDING UNIVERSITY

Keith Olsen Pharm.D., FCCP, FCCM Dean

2016 Survey Presents Positive View of Market for Pharmacists

O

n behalf of the UAMS and Harding University Colleges of Pharmacy, we offer our sincere congratulations to the Arkansas Pharmacy Classes of 2016. As they take the NAPLEX and start their new jobs or postgraduate work in the coming weeks, we certainly wish them all the best.

As in previous years, we appreciate the students’ willingness to complete a salary survey during the week of graduation.

We also thank Dr. Schwanda Flowers for compiling the data. The information indicates the job market for our 2016 Arkansas pharmacy graduates is very good.

Overall, the average salary is $119,065 (a 1.3 percent decrease from 2015). Of the 174 students who completed the survey prior to graduation, 85 percent had already accepted a position and the majority (66 percent) characterized the position opportunities as excellent or good. Some trends

Jeff Mercer, Pharm.D. Dean

from previous years have remained relatively constant. Fiftyone percent of the students accepted a position at a place where they had served as an intern or spent time during an experiential rotation. The majority (67 percent) accepted positions in a community/retail setting, 17 percent have accepted residency/fellowship positions, and 11 percent plan to own a pharmacy in the future.

Eighty-six percent of graduates have student loans. The average amount of debt continues to rise from $138,725 in 2014 and $145,000 in 2014 to $147,017 this year.

In summary, our graduates continue to have many opportunities for employment at the time of graduation.

We share their excitement as they begin their professional careers!

Arkansas Colleges of Pharmacy 2016 Salary Survey Results Summary • 174 AR Graduating pharmacy students completed the survey (UAMS (n=112); Harding (n=62)).

• 85 percent of respondents have accepted a position.

• 66 percent of respondents believe the position opportunities available were excellent or good.

• 67 percent of those who have accepted a position did so in a community/retail setting.

• 30 students have accepted a residency/fellowship position.

• 22 percent will receive a sign-on bonus and the average reported sign-on bonus is $16,750.

• Overall, 38 percent of all students accepting positions will practice pharmacy in central Arkansas. Excluding residencies and graduate programs, 31 percent of the students accepting positions will practice pharmacy in central Arkansas.

• Overall, 33 percent of all students accepting positions will practice pharmacy or do a residency out-of state.

Excluding residencies and graduate programs, 27 percent of the students accepting positions will practice pharmacy out-of state.

• Top benefits include: health insurance, paid vacation,

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Overall, 33 percent of all students accepting positions will practice pharmacy or do a residency out-of state. Excluding residencies and graduate programs, 27 percent of the students accepting positions will practice pharmacy out-of state.

retirement, and paid holidays. These were unchanged from previous years.

• Average salary for a graduating pharmacy student from an Arkansas College of Pharmacy (excluding residency) position is $119,065; a decrease of $1,592 (1.3 percent decrease) from 2015.

• Approximately 11 percent plan to own a pharmacy in the future.

• Approximately 86 percent of AR graduates have student loans, with an average amount of $147,017

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2016 SALARY SURVEY RESULTS

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2016 SALARY SURVEY RESULTS

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New Harding Dean Takes Post in June - Jeff Mercer, Pharm.D.

H

arding College of Pharmacy welcomed their new Dean, Dr. Jeff Mercer, into office on June 1. Dr. Mercer transitioned into the position following a ten-year period as Dean of Experiential Education for Harding College of Pharmacy, where he was responsible for developing pharmacy practice placements for student pharmacists, and has been a part of the college since its inception. The appointment was announced in April by Harding Provost Larry Long, who described Dr. Mercer as, “A thoughtful and quiet leader…a hard worker, a team player, and a person with integrity and spiritual strength.”

Dr. Mercer began his studies at Faulkner and Mercer universities before obtaining his Pharm.D. from Auburn University in 2000. Before coming to Harding, he began his pharmacy career at Publix Super Markets, where after only four years with the company he was assigned to be pharmacy supervisor and district manager. With Harding College of Pharmacy, Dr. Mercer has applied his strong leadership skills and commercial pharmacy experience to help develop the college’s experiential program as well as help develop the student pharmacists themselves. Mercer assumes the role from former dean Julie Hixson-Wallace who took a new position as Vice Provost for Accreditation at Harding University. §

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as Dean to this great college that I have served since its inception” Mercer said. “Our students are some of the best in the nation and I have a profound passion to help lead them into this profession.”

– Jeff Mercer, Pharm.D., Dean of Harding College of Pharmacy

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ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACISTS

New Beginnings, Rejuvenation, Reflection

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absolutely love this time of year mostly because it’s a time of Kendrea Jones, Pharm.D. rejuvenation, new beginnings, and President reflection. The summer is a time that many of us are planning vacations that allow us to spend time with family and friends. Hopefully we return to work with a new outlook on our careers and our important role within healthcare. For many it’s the close of the fiscal year and start of new positions, projects, etc.

As an associate professor and residency program director, I find it a time of new beginnings filled with hope and excitement as Pharm.D. students and pharmacy residents graduate ready to set their career paths. While you enjoy these moments, whether a current student, incoming resident, technician, new practitioner, or experienced practitioner I ask that you reflect on your role in moving our profession forward through service. Need help? The Arkansas Association of Health-System Pharmacists has the answer.

Since 1957, AAHP has been an all-volunteer organization.

Four years ago when I was asked to join the New Practitioner, Resident, and Student Council, like many of you I questioned if I had time to be involved or how my involvement would help the organization. I am so glad I said yes as I have enjoyed being involved in the tremendous growth of the organization all while capitalizing on professional development and networking opportunities. This summer take the time to reflect on where your passion lies and let us help you get plugged into your state association.

Regardless of your location or role within health-system pharmacy, whether you enjoy mentoring, advocating for our profession, or helping develop future and current pharmacists through education AAHP has numerous opportunities to get involved. Your support of our organization through your membership, attending our webinars and Fall Seminar, serving on committees, councils, or the Board are key to our continued growth.

As you begin your career or find a new passion in your current role, reflect on how your strengths and experiences can continue to move our profession forward.

AAHP would like to thank all of our current officers and those that ran for office during our recent elections. Congratulations to our new board members: Dr. Brandy Owen (PresidentElect), Dr. Melissa Ship (Secretary), Dr. David Fortner (Board Member at Large). We extend a heartfelt thank you to Wendy Jordan (Secretary) and Niki Carver (Board Member at Large) as they finish their terms.

We invite you to join us at Fall Seminar in Hot Springs at the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa September 29-30, 2016. Over two days pharmacists, technicians, and students will enjoy programming covering a variety of clinical and operational topics. With at least 11 hours of ACPE-accredited continuing education hours, it is an annual event you do not want to miss.

For more information, please visit http://www.arrx.org/fallseminar. §

9/29-9/30/2016

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2016 District Meetings

August 18

August 30

September 15

August 23

September 13

September 19

District 6 Embassy Suites Hot Springs District 1 Embassy Suites Little Rock

August 25

District 5 Monticello Country Club Monticello

District 4 Camden Country Club Camden District 7 Holiday Inn City Center Fort Smith

September 14 District 3 Doubletree Bentonville

September 22

District 3 Big Creek Golf & Country Club Mountain Home District 8 Harding University Founders Room Searcy

September 20

District 6 Lake Point Conference Center Russellville

September 27

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District 5 Grand Prairie Center Stuttgart

District 2 St Bernard’s Auditorium Jonesboro

To register for a District Meeting, check out www.arrx.org/district-meetings.

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APA CONSULTANTS ACADEMY REPORT

Now This is Getting Serious: PPIs and Kidney Disease?

Anthony Hughes, P.D. President

I

n my last article, I discussed the proposed relationship of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and dementia. If that was not enough to get our attention, the next study now suggests that PPIs can have damaging effects on the kidneys and could lead to kidney failure. This is another example of our profession finding out what a drug really does after millions of patients use the drug over time.

Since their introduction in 1990, PPIs quickly became one of the most prescribed medications around the world. Numbers from 2013 that do not include over the counter purchases estimate 15 million Americans were prescribed PPIs. We know that PPIs do help the patient respond positively with severe reflux, ulcers and the inflammation of the esophagus.

Estimates are that about 20 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with GERD.

Due to limited space I will share some key exerts.

Compared to H2 receptor blockers (H2-blockers), PPIs over a five year following had a 28% increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 96% increased risk of developing kidney failure compared to H2-blockers.

The speculation is that PPIs over an extended period are linked to acute kidney inflammation that may lead eventually to chronic kidney disease. Bottom line was that long-term use of PPIs may be harmful to the kidneys and should be avoided.

Dr. F. Paul Buckley the surgical director of the Heartburn and Acid Reflux Center at the Scott & White Clinic in Texas recommends that after a patient Compared to H2 receptor blockers has used a PPI for a month or so, that it may be possible to (H2-blockers), PPIs over a five year step down to an H2-blocker following had a 28% increased with diet and lifestyle changes risk of developing chronic kidney depending on the diagnosis.

disease and a 96% increased risk of What is our response to a True / False question that asks; So now it is suggested that developing kidney failure compared should people use PPIs only PPIs may contribute to chronic to H2-blockers. when necessary and for the kidney disease. I am sure we shortest time possible? We all request routine evaluations would all answer YES, but, in when appropriate, depending on our practice is this reality? other therapies and diagnoses for possible dose reductions.

When we review charts that include PPIs, are they used for When I request such a therapy evaluation, I always provide a short time then discontinued? Maybe it is just me, but I the prescriber the alternative of switching to an H2-blocker. just don’t see it.

Another question, do we see the H2-blocker administered Let’s see what we know currently, PPIs are suggested through at bedtime or daily? So many I see are switched to each observational studies to be linked with nutrient deficiencies, morning with an H2-blocker rather than at bedtime as hypomagnesemia, incidence of C-Diff, community acquired manufacturers recommended when administering an H2pneumonia, bone density loss, bone fracture, and compete blocker. Is this dosing because the PPI was administered first in the CYP2C19 pathway plus the recently discussed thing each morning and was just keyed that way in medical possibility of dementia. records? Could this be a contributing factor to some failures with that H2-blocker and the return of a PPI? Maybe we Looking at a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in should consider starting with twice a day rather than once a January 2016 it discussed a connection between PPIs and day for better outcomes after a switch from a PPI. kidney disease. A team led by Yan Xie, MPH and Ziyad Al-Aly MD, FASN, from the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA Please, let’s keep a clinical eye on the PPIs and their Saint Louis Health Care System and Washington University prolonged administration plus the possibility of alternative in St. Louis, analyzed information from the Department of medications or even elimination. § Veteran Affairs national database.

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Thank You to Our 2016 APA Annual

Convention Exhibitors and Participants!

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harmacists from across the state and across the pharmacy spectrum gathered at the 2016 APA Annual Convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center in June to earn CPE hours, network with other pharmacists, learn about practice updates, and try their hand at winning $50,000. During the convention, awards were presented to some of the state’s leading pharmacists and convention attendees were entertained at the Gangster Museum Casino Night. The 2017 135th Annual Convention will be held in Little Rock on June 8-10.

Mark and Brenda Riley

Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care

APA Director of Membership & Meetings Susannah Fuquay presents the Yeti prize to Billy Newton.

42 exhibitors from the pharmacy field were on hand to talk to convention attendees about new products and services to help pharmacists serve their patients more effectively and efficiently.

Alkermes

American Pharmacy Cooperative

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Amerisource Bergen

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Amgen

Boehringer Ingelheim

AstraZeneca

Cardinal Health

Convention By The Numbers

3 314 15.5

DAYS ATTENDEES CPE HOURS

11 PRESENTERS 42 EXHIBITORS 11 AWARD WINNERS EPIC

DataRx

Equashield 28

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GeriMed

Harbor

Grifols

Harding University College of Pharmacy

During the convention, awards were presented to some of the state’s leading pharmacists and convention attendees were entertained at the Gangster Museum Casino Night.

HD Smith

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Attendees enjoy the Casino Night at the Gangster Museum in Hot Springs.

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Liberty Software

MassMutual

McKesson

Mobile Medsoft

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Merck Vaccines

Morris & Dickson

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Mylan, Inc.

National Library of Medicine

Thank You to Our 2016 APA Annual Convention Exhibitors and Participants!

Novo Nordisk

Pharmacists Mutual

Pfizer

Pioneer Rx

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Plan Corp, Inc.

Purdue Pharma

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QS1

Retail Designs, Incorporated

RxMaster

Smith Drug

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Sanofi

Southern Pharmacy Cooperative

UAMS College of Pharmacy

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2016 APA Annual Convention

Award Recipients

2016 Pharmacist of the Year – Keith Larkin, Pharm.D. Keith Larkin, Pharm.D., was presented with the 2016 Pharmacist of the Year Award. This award recognizes a pharmacist for his outstanding contributions to the profession of pharmacy and activities in the advancement of pharmacy during the year.

With a pharmacist for an older brother and his first job working at Lyons Drug Store in Lonoke, it’s clear pharmacy played an influential part on Keith Larkin’s life. After attending UCA and graduating from Oklahoma University with a BS degree in science, Keith began working at MediSav in Fort Smith in 1982 and has stayed with the company for 34 years. In 1990, when the University of Arkansas began offering its non-traditional Pharm.D. program, Keith embraced the opportunity to continue improving his education and enrolled in the program, graduating with a Pharm.D. degree in 1993.

Keith has stayed proactive within the field of pharmacy by serving as a former APA District President and an NCPA member, as well as serving on the boards of the Boys Shelter and Girls Shelter of Ft Smith, the Maggie House in Charleston, and as president and secretary of his Gideon camp. He and his wife Cindy, a teacher, have one son, Blake, a computer engineering student at Harvey Mudd College. They are members of Eastside Baptist Church in Fort Smith.

Bowl of Hygeia Award – Jon Wolfe, R.Ph., Ph.D. Jon Wolfe, R.Ph., Ph.D., was presented with the 2016 Bowl of Hygeia Award. The Bowl of Hygeia Award is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, with premier support from Boehringer-Ingelheim. This award was established to honor pharmacists who have compiled an outstanding record of community service.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Jon earned multiple degrees in history and political science and was settled into a career of teaching history at Arkansas Tech when he decided to switch his career to pharmacy. After pharmacy school, Jon’s career took him from staff pharmacist at Doctor’s Hospital to Arkansas Children’s Hospital to the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital before finally landing at UAMS in a faculty position for the past 25 years. Throughout his career, he has participated in countless community organizations and public service initiatives such as the Old State House Commission, the Chamber Music Society, the Pulaski County Historical Society, the National Board of Cancer Pain, the Arkansas Cancer Pain Initiative, the American Pharmacists Association, the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, and the Arkansas Historical Society, to name a few.

Jon earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Hendrix College, a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from UAMS, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in American Diplomatic History from the University of Virginia. He and his wife Donna live in Little Rock and have one son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Jessica, and one granddaughter, Veronica.

Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year – Kevin Barton, Pharm.D. Kevin Barton, Pharm.D. was awarded the 2016 Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award. The APA Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award is given annually to an outstanding young pharmacist who has been out of pharmacy school less than 10 years and who has demonstrated leadership among his or her peers.

Growing up in Greenwood, just south of Fort Smith, Kevin Barton had music on his mind. He spent much of his high school and undergrad years producing music and was convinced that was his career path. However, the lack of a steady paycheck in the music industry and a family member’s health scare involving drug interactions pointed Kevin down the path to pharmacy school. Just three years out of pharmacy school, Kevin now serves as the Senior Manager of Medication Therapy Management Operations and Patient Outcomes for Wal-Mart in Bentonville. He is also a volunteer for the Million Women Mentors, a STEM coalition for young women in high school, and a volunteer at Samaritan House. While his efforts in pharmacy and public service aren’t driven by the desire for an award, he says it’s nice to be recognized among his colleagues.

Kevin graduated from UCA with a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated UAMS College of Pharmacy in 2013. He is a member of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, the National MTM Advisory Board, and the New Practitioners Advisory Committee for APhA. Kevin and his wife Sarah life in Centerton and are members of Cross Church Pinnacle Hills.

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2016 APA Annual Convention

Award Recipients

Percy Malone Award for Public Service – Representative Justin Boyd, Pharm.D. Representative Justin Boyd, Pharm.D. was presented with the 2016 Percy Malone Award for Public Service. The Percy Malone Award for Public Service was established in 2009 by the APA and first presented to former Senator Percy Malone, a pharmacist from Arkadelphia. The recipient must have made a contribution to public service in Arkansas by displaying an interest in the people of Arkansas.

A native of Van Buren, Rep Justin Boyd of Fort Smith earned an Associate’s Degree from the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, an MBA from Walton College of Business, and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the UAMS College of Pharmacy. Rep. Boyd is serving his first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives representing District 77 which covers a portion of Sebastian County. For the 90th General Assembly, Rep. Boyd serves on the Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee and the committee for City, County, and Local Affairs. He is a pharmacist at Coleman Pharmacy in Alma. Boyd is an active member of the Rotary Club, Arkansas Pharmacists Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Quality Deer Management Association. He is also part of the FBI Citizens Academy Association. He and his wife Lori live in Fort Smith and have three children.

Cardinal Health Generation Rx Award – John Kirtley, Pharm.D. John Kirtley, Pharm.D., was awarded the 2016 Cardinal Health Generation RX Award. This award honors a pharmacist who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to raising awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse among the general public and among the pharmacy community. The award is also intended to encourage educational prevention efforts aimed at patients, youth, and other members of the community. Born and raised in Camden, John Clay Kirtley had family influence when he began to consider his career that pushed him toward the healthcare field. With his sights set on a career in pharmacy, John completed his pre-pharmacy coursework at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy with his Doctor of Pharmacy.

In his current role, John serves as the Executive Director of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and as a member and Treasurer of the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education’s Board of Directors as well as President of MALTAGON, a Professional Association of Boards of Pharmacy across the Southeast US. He is also a member of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. “With roughly 400 drug overdose deaths in Arkansas each year, drug misuse, abuse and the disease of addiction affect all of us in some way,” John said. “In recognizing that addiction is a disease, you must also recognize that it is treatable and that we must all work together in order to solve the epidemic we are facing with prescription drugs.”

John and his wife Melanie live in Little Rock with their two children.

NASPA Excellence in Innovation Award – Nikki Scott, Pharm.D. Nikki Scott, Pharm.D., was presented with the 2016 Excellence in Innovation Award. This award was established in 1993 by the APA in cooperation with the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations to annually recognize a pharmacist who has demonstrated a prominent spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in the practice of pharmacy. Though she’s only been out of pharmacy school for one year, Nikki Scott has made an indelible mark on pharmacy through the development of a new medication therapy management program that has improved completion rates and solidified MTM as a profitable service.

After graduating from UAMS in 2015, Nikki began the UAMS and Harp’s Clinical Community Pharmacy Residency. She analyzed their MTM model and separated each step of the model into clinical and nonclinical, shifting all non-clinical responsibilities to technicians and developing a new documentation method that could seamlessly go from the technicians who were preparing the patient files to the pharmacist performing the MTM session with the patient and back to the technician entering the information into an MTM platform. After two months of piloting the program, dubbed “MTM: The Future Today,” through Harp’s stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, the results showed that this new innovative MTM model was succeeding. Before the program, more than 50% of pharmacists in the stores said that time was an issue when it came to MTM completion. After two months running the program, that number sank to about 10%. Harp’s also saw an increase in completion rates – they are now ranked 8th in the region for completion rates after not making the top 40 prior to the new program.

Nikki graduated from Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She attended pharmacy school at UAMS and graduated in 2015. She lives in Russellville with her two sons.

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2016 APA Annual Convention

Award Recipients

APA Lifetime Achievement Award – Mark Riley, Pharm.D. Mark Riley, Pharm.D. was presented with the first ever Arkansas Pharmacists Association Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors a pharmacist who has devoted their life and their career to improving the field of pharmacy and have made an impact that affects healthcare at a local, state, and national level. Mark Riley is the nationally renowned former Executive Vice President and CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association. In that role, he served as chief spokesman and advocate for pharmacists and pharmacies in Arkansas, representing pharmacy practice to the State Board of Pharmacy, state legislators, Arkansas Medicaid, and other state government agencies, as well as consumers and private businesses.

“Serving pharmacy in the position I did has been one of the really important and really special things in my life,” Mark said. “I’ve been involved in the APA in leadership since I was 26 years old, just a few years out of pharmacy school. Being involved in the politics and the leadership of pharmacy was second nature to me so to lead APA was something I was really proud of. To be recognized by my peers for that service that I really felt like I had a calling for and loved to do is personally rewarding and special to me.

Mark earned his B.S. in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from UAMS College of Pharmacy.

He served as Executive Vice President and CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association from 2003 – 2015. His professional affiliations include National Community Pharmacists Association Board Member, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy Board Member (1999-2003), and Arkansas Pharmacists Association President and Board Member. Mark and his wife Brenda live in East End, where they own East End Pharmacy. They have two sons and four grandchildren.

Guy Newcomb Award – Senator Ron Caldwell and Representative Michelle Gray Senator Ron Caldwell and Representative Michelle Gray were presented with the 2016 Guy Newcomb Award. The APA Board of Directors created this award to recognize individuals who, by their legislative influence and leadership, have distinguished themselves as political friends of Arkansas pharmacy.

Senator Ron Caldwell

A native of Wynne, Senator Ron Caldwell represents Senate District 23, comprised of Jackson County, and parts of Cross, Lee, Monroe, St. Francis, White and Woodruff counties. Serving his first term in the Arkansas Senate, he is chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee, co-chairman of ALC-Charitable, Penal, and Correctional Institutions, vice-chairman of ALCReview and vice-chairman of Senate Rules, Resolutions and Memorials.

In the 90th General Assembly, Senator Caldwell was a sponsor on all three APA-supported bills (Act 689, Act 1025, and Act 900) that eventually became laws aimed at protecting Arkansas pharmacists.

Senator Caldwell is a member of the Cross County Economic Development Commission, National Rifle Association, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl and Honduras Medical-Dental. Professionally, he is a real estate investor and the owner of Caldwell Development, LLC and Caldwell Family Enterprises, LLC and he holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Arkansas State University. He and his wife Brenda Ann have one son, one daughter and three grandchildren.

Representative Michelle Gray

Representative Michelle Gray is serving her first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. She represents District 62 which includes portions of Izard, Sharp, Stone and Independence Counties.

Serving her first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives, Gray serves on the Legislative Joint Audit, Judiciary Committee, and the committee for State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.

In the 90th General Assembly, Representative Gray was a sponsor of the APA-supported Act 900 that amended laws regarding maximum allowable cost lists and created accountability in the establishment of prescription drug pricing.

Representative Gray is secretary and treasurer of the Emergency Services Board of Izard County and serves as the treasurer for the Single Parent Scholarship Foundation of Izard County. She is a graduate of Arkansas State University and is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Gray Family Practice Clinic in Melbourne. She and her husband Dr. Adam Gray have five children.

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2016 APA Annual Convention

Award Recipients

The Charles M. West Student Leadership Award – Kaley Scott Achor Kaley Scott Achor was named winner of the 2016 Charles M. West Student Leadership Award. This award was established in 2004, honoring former APA and NARD (now NCPA) Executive Vice President Charles M. West. The award recognizes a student that demonstrates outstanding potential in pharmacy and leadership.

Kaley has served as Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Executive Vice President of Social Activities for the UAMS chapter of the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists, Executive President and Executive Secretary of the UAMS chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association, and Secretary of the Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society.

Her volunteer activities at UAMS College of Pharmacy include Amboy Canned Food Drive, Our House, Boosters & Big Rigs at UALR, and health fairs and screenings at Central High School, Parkview High School, and Kroger stores. Kaley completed her pre-pharmacy curriculum at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

The Arkansas Pharmacy Foundation Award – Shelbie Stickels Shelbie Stickels, received the 2016 Arkansas Pharmacy Foundation Award. The award was established in 2014 to honor a Harding University College of Pharmacy student who demonstrates outstanding potential in pharmacy and leadership.

Shelbie is a member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, ASHP Student Societies of Health-Systems Pharmacy, National Community Pharmacy Association, and the American Pharmacist Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists. She has served as APhA Vice President of Patient Care, Harding University College of Pharmacy Council of Students Executive Secretary, and National Liaison and founding member of the Harding University chapter of National Alliance of Mental Illness.

Her volunteer activities at Harding College of Pharmacy include MTM support for local independent pharmacies, medication take-back programs, Ronald McDonald House, and SSHP Susan G. Komen Bake Sale. Shelbie completed her pre-pharmacy curriculum at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.

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Students Show Posters at Annual 2016 Convention

Taylor James & Elisabeth Mathews

C

“

Courtney Selby presents her poster to judge Eric Shoffner

hange. Challenge. Collaborate.” That was the theme of the 134th Annual APA Convention this past June in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and in line with the theme, the APA introduced a student poster session at their Opening Reception & Exhibition. Eleven student pharmacists presented eight posters at the reception. Topics represented a variety of categories that directly impact the public health of Arkansas. From a review of the opioid crisis in Arkansas, to HPV vaccination discussions, and even pharmacy practice expansion with pharmacy-prescribed hormone contraceptives, the posters were a diverse snapshot of potential innovation.

Heather JC Flowers presents her poster to Mike Smets

Pharmacists attending the reception had the opportunity to speak with student pharmacists about their poster content, and many of the pharmacists were eager to discuss new ideas that may influence their personal practice. This was also a great opportunity for students to network with professionals in the field and shake the hands of their future colleagues.

The ability to gain experience expressing one’s own ideas is another invaluable skill that participating in poster sessions helps to develop. The session, which was also a competition amongst the students, was largely judged on these presentation skills, as well as the quality and relevance of each poster’s substance. Congratulations to our poster session winner, Courtney Bookout Selby.

Student Presenters:

A pharmacist’s perspective from the student poster session

1. Someone You Love: the HPV Epidemic Taylor James, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS Elisabeth Mathews, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 2. Moving Pharmacy Forward: A Brief Survey of Pharmacy Practice Expansion with Pharmacist-Prescribed Hormone Contraceptives in Arkansas Heather JC Flowers, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 3. Particle Size Characterization of Nebulized Albuterol Delivered by a Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer through Pediatric Endotracheal Tubes Sathyanand Kumaran, Pharm.D. candidate 2018, UAMS 4. Using Standardized Patients to Enhance Students’ Learning in a Pharmacology Course Courtney Selby, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 5. Advancing Students’ Learning in a Pharmacology Course through Counseling a Cancer Patient Courtney Selby, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 6. There Are Too Many Apps for That: Development of a Website Helps Patients and Providers Find Quality Medication Adherence Apps Rebecca Shilling, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 7. Arkansas Opioid and Heroin Crisis Poster Summary Julia Cullen, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS Jarrod King, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS Kelsey McCain, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 8. Brief Intervention in a Community Pharmacy to Increase Hypertension Medication Adherence Amanda Camp, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS Dustin Thompson, Pharm.D. candidate 2017, UAMS 38

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“This year’s Arkansas Pharmacist Association Convention had something new to offer. For the first time, I saw student involvement surrounding the topics of Arkansas’ healthcare concerns and the in-depth content of each presenter’s work. I was wowed! I was very impressed by what I saw and learned from each of the students presenting and could see the long hours that were reflected in those posters. I saw some great concepts that were being discussed or shown. If any Arkansas Pharmacist Association member missed these presentations, they really missed out. After having seen them, I am confident that the future of pharmacy in Arkansas and beyond our borders will continue to grow and will remain in “good hands.” Thanks to all those students that I met and to those that supported their efforts. Great job all!”

- Eric Shoffner, PD, of Newport, AR

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THE ARKANSAS PHARMACIST

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

JOHN VINSON, Pharm.D. Vice President of Practice and Innovation Arkansas Pharmacists Association Hometown: Originally from Van Buren, Arkansas. live in Benton, AR.

We now

Education: Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Describe the transition from Board Member to staff member: Serving as a board member for APA helped me to develop relationships with many practicing pharmacists. This experience also taught me about the mission, vision, history and finances of the organization. It has been professionally satisfying to take that knowledge and put it to use on a daily basis for the benefit of our membership.

Personal goal for APA: I am excited to play a key leadership role during an expected growth in pharmacy practice and innovative pharmacy services in Arkansas. My goal is to advocate for Arkansas pharmacists as they provide enhanced patient care services resulting in increased professional satisfaction and expanded revenue opportunities. I expect for both APA and the Arkansas Pharmacy Foundation to play roles in advocacy, communication, research and practice transformation support.

Best part about working at APA: Relationships:

Getting to know and work with pharmacists from all over the state of Arkansas.

Biggest challenge pharmacists face:

Stability and predictability in reimbursement for pharmacist provided core services as well as a payment model that fairly rewards pharmacists for their enhanced services including cognitive services.

If I wasn’t a pharmacist, I would be: a meteorologist.

Family:

Sarah – wife of 18 years from Siloam Springs, AR Sam – 12 years old Lily – 10 years old

Most unusual/interesting job: Landscaping and mowing

yards as a teenager. The most challenging yard to maintain had beehives with lots of honeybees to contend with.

Best vacation: Glacier National Park in Montana Favorite meal:

Grilled steak, grilled potatoes, and a side salad with fresh spinach leaves and tomatoes

Favorite quote: “The mountains are calling and I must go.”

John Muir. This quote applies to both backpacking as well as metaphorically to the challenges and opportunities that life presents us with.

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Recent Reads: One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson People would be surprised to find out that you:

I am an only child. It is amazing how many games you can invent when you are an only child.

You are happiest when: I am outside, with family, and when the Razorbacks are winning

Favorite hobbies and why you like them: Hiking and

backpacking. I enjoy exploring wild and scenic places to both experience the enormous beauty of this planet and also to reflect on the big picture perspective of what is really important in life.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received: Love God

and love others. My Mom taught me this at a very young age. §

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2016 Calendar of Events AUGUST August 4-6 APA Board Retreat Mountain Magazine Paris, AR August 18-31 APA District Meetings Around the State

DECEMBER December 3* APA Committee Forum TBA December 4* APA Board Meeting TBA *Dates not finalized

SEPTEMBER September 6-22 APA District Meetings See Page 25 for Full Schedule Around the State September 29-30 AAHP Fall Seminar Arlington Hotel Hot Springs, AR

OCTOBER October 15-19 National Community Pharmacists Association Annual Convention New Orleans, LA October 26* APA Golden CPE Hosto Center Little Rock, AR

NOVEMBER November 4-6 American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Annual Meeting and Exhibition Dallas, TX November 7-12 CPE at Disney Walt Disney World Resort Orlando, FL

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2016-2017 New APA Board Members District 3 President Dylan Jones, Pharm.D. - Fayetteville

Why I Joined the Board: I have a vested interest in advancing our profession as my entire professional life is in front of me. This offers a unique motivation to grow clinical opportunities and ensure that pharmacists are recognized for the value they bring to the healthcare team. I understand the potential our profession has, the barriers limiting pharmacists from practicing at the full scope of our training, and have the resolve to see these opportunities become available for Arkansas’ pharmacists. My path in pharmacy has allowed me to gain a wide variety of insights into our profession. I love practicing pharmacy and realized early in my education that I wanted to serve the profession in the greatest capacity to which I was able.

District 6 President Yanci Walker, Pharm.D. - Russellville

Why I Joined the Board: Serving on the APA Board of Directors will be an amazing opportunity to work with and get to know pharmacy leaders from across the state. I look forward to hearing the different challenges fellow pharmacists are facing in different practice settings.

District 7 President Lacey Parker, Pharm.D. - Charleston

Why I Joined the Board: I have only been out of school five years and I feel like that is an advantage. I feel like I bring a younger outlook on the profession of pharmacy. I am eager to represent my peers in the Arkansas Pharmacists Association.

District 8 President Rodney Richmond, RPh - Searcy

Why I Joined the Board: As a pharmacist, I feel it is my civic duty to colleagues to be involved in helping to continue to improve the profession from which I have benefited for over 30 years.

As an educator, it is my responsibility to students to set an example of serving. I have served on Association committees or task forces and this is simply another way of being actively involved.

Whether on the board of directors or simply as an engaged member, I feel it is my responsibility to serve in the Association.

AAHP President Kendrea Jones, Pharm.D. - Little Rock

Why I Joined the Board: Representing AAHP on the APA Board of Directors provides me an opportunity to give back to our profession in many different ways including leading change within the profession through advocacy, mentorship, and education. APA, like AAHP, represents pharmacist, technicians, students, and others interested in advancing our practice in order to provide optimal patient care.

Compounding Academy President Becca Mitchell, Pharm.D. - Greenbrier

Why I Joined the Board: I love having the opportunity to serve patients across Arkansas and the nation. This is an exciting time in compounding and pharmacy in general, with lots of changes coming. As a member of the APA Board, I’m honored to be able to work to ensure those changes prioritize patient access and pharmacists’ critical role as practitioners. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Former District 6 President Stephen Carroll was also elected to Vice President of the APA Board, while former District 8 President was elected to Area 2 Representative.

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Member Classifieds

Member Classifieds are free to APA members and $65 per issue for non-members. Contact communications@arrx.org for more information.

Omnicare, a CVS Health company, is hiring Pharmacist in Charge for our Little Rock, AR pharmacy. Contact michelle.buckley@omnicare.com for more information, or www.omnicare.com/careers to apply directly (7/27/16) ISOTECH Microsphere Glovebox for Sale: Interested parties should contact Chris Hutts for more informationchutts@ cantrelldrug.com https://cantrelldrug.sharefile.com/d-s5587501243043f1b Immediate opening for Pharmacist in Charge/Manager.

Established independent retail pharmacy located in Walnut Ridge, AR. Must be customer service oriented and familiar with PBM's/third party billing. Store hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. Please contact 870759-2609 or fax resume to 479-235-2016. (5/31) Used Parata Max for sale: Purchased in July 2010, all offers considered. Contact Bill Brown at 404-408-9475. (5/31) Pharmacist Needed in Retail Setting: AllCare Pharmacy is looking for a full time pharmacist in Paris, AR to join a busy, energetic, new completely remodeled store. Customer service oriented store that offers immunizations, DME, delivery service and gift section. Come complete our team of a growing, pharmacist-owned, independent pharmacy company.

Please contact Dean at dean.sikes@allcarepharmacy.com

or Michele at michele@allcarepharmacy.com or by mail at AllCare Pharmacy, P.O. Box 235, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or call 870-246-5553. (3/30/16) Pharmacists needed in Blytheville Ar. Kroger is looking for a full time and part time pharmacist: Very competitive salary, 401k, paid vacation, and insurance. Please call Jamie Shoemaker @ 501-454-7269. (5/11/16) North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville, AR is looking for a full-time pharmacy technician: The shifts are 10 or 11 hours day shifts on the weekdays and 8 hour day shifts on the weekend. The weekend work schedule is one weekend a month. Hospital experience is preferred. For more information contact pballard@northmetromed.com. (5/4/16) Product Development Coordinator: The Product Development Coordinator will be responsible for all aspects of strategic product management including the oversight of product development, labeling, stability studies, formulation, and clinical database management. The Coordinator will identify key and critical opportunities in labeling compliance, stability studies and formulations to improve the compliance aspects of the company in these areas. Required: Word, Excel experience and PharmD. Please email Chris Hutts chutts@cantrelldrug.com for additional details or to submit resume and cover letter. (5/4/16)

AAHP Board Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Susan Newton, Pharm.D., Russellville President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kendrea Jones, Pharm. D., Little Rock President-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brandy Owen, Pharm.D., Conway Past President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rob Christian, Pharm.D., Little Rock Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marsha Crader, Pharm.D., Jonesboro Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Shipp, Pharm.D., Searcy Member-at-Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Beth Hays, Pharm.D., Pleasant Plains Member-at-Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Fortner, Pharm.D., Sherwood Member-at-Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joy Brock, Pharm.D., Little Rock Technician Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holly Katayama, CPhT, Little Rock

Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stephanie O’Neal, P.D., Wynne Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tom Warmack, P.D., Sheridan Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Robertson, Pharm.D., BCPS, Little Rock Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Bryant, P.D., Batesville Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie Mack, P.D., Bentonville Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lenora Newsome, P.D., Smackover Public Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Rader, Fort Smith Public Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .James Burgess, DDS, Greenwood

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Arkansas Board of Pharmacy Wins Prestigious NABP Award

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he Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy was nationally recognized with the 2016 Fred T. Mahaffey Award. The honor, which is presented through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), is awarded to a board of pharmacy that has contributed to protecting public health and welfare through the enforcement of state and federal laws and regulations.

As the recipient of this year’s award, Arkansas’ Board of Pharmacy was held in high regard for their efforts to combat prescription drug abuse.

Arkansas has consistently ranked in the top tier for prescription drug abuse rates over the last several years. It is because of this that the state board has partnered with many outside agencies, including consumer groups, UAMS College of Pharmacy, and law enforcement agencies, in a multifaceted approach to tackle this nationwide epidemic that manifests itself strongly in our state.

The award was accepted on behalf of the board by Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy Executive Director John Clay Kirtley, Pharm.D., at the NABP annual meeting in San Diego, California. “To be recognized on a national level, representing the profession of pharmacy, for our efforts to combat prescription drug abuse is such a great honor,” said Kirtley. “While there is still a lot of work left to do, it is comforting to know that we have worked hard as a board to do our part in this public health crisis.” §

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, North Little Rock WWW.ARRX.ORG

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